Thanks for the Article on the $2 Educational Series Silver Certificate from 1896

1northcoin

Kudos to PCGS for posting the article on this website by Cory Williams on the subject of the 1896 $2 "Educational Series" Silver Certificate.

Years ago I put together a set of all three "Educationals" ($1, $2, and $5) just because I thought it was such a cool and artistic design. Until reading Cory's article I did not realize that there are only 1,000 examples of the $2 Educational that have been estimated to have survived. Curious how many of the other two "Educationals" remain today and what number of complete sets would be possible to put together. As I recall the grading services were not as involved back then with paper money. Mine are locked away but when I get a chance I will try to remember to pull them out and post some photos.

It was also of interest to learn about those who designed them and their artistic endeavors. Here is a brief description from the article:

"This design was painted by Edwin Howland Blashfield, a well-known muralist at the time, with works spanning from the dome of the Manufacturer’s and Liberal Arts Building at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 to several state capitols, including the central dome of the Library of Congress. He had originally intended the design to be used on a $50 denomination that never came to be. Instead, this design was used in place of another already created for the $2 note..."

oih82w8

What a wonderful set of currency designs! The Education Series is a favorite of mine...one of these days.

https://www.pcgs.com/news/closer-look-series-of-1896-2-dollar-silver-certificate

PipestonePete

Here's mine.

ricko

Beautiful designs. Which really bothers me..... With today's technology, such art/designs are easily made. However, there seems to be no interest. U.S. currency is - IMO - seriously deficient in this respect. Cheers, RickO

keyman64

We could definitely use some better artwork on today's currency. Instead of just updating them with new security features every few years, the artistic designs could use a serious refresh as well.

1northcoin

@ricko said:
Beautiful designs. Which really bothers me..... With today's technology, such art/designs are easily made. However, there seems to be no interest. U.S. currency is - IMO - seriously deficient in this respect. Cheers, RickO

@keyman64 said:
We could definitely use some better artwork on today's currency. Instead of just updating them with new security features every few years, the artistic designs could use a serious refresh as well.

Excellent points. Anyone at BEP listening?

1northcoin

@PipestonePete said:
Here's mine.

Thanks for adding to illustrate this thread.

Nice looking example!

PipestonePete

The series included a $1 and $5 note as well. Here are the ones that I own.

1northcoin

@PipestonePete said:
The series included a $1 and $5 note as well. Here are the ones that I own.

Thanks for adding photos of the other two "Educationals" to save me the effort of having to pull my set that is locked away.

Nice looking examples!

1northcoin

@1northcoin said:
Kudos to PCGS for posting the article on this website by Cory Williams on the subject of the 1896 $2 "Educational Series" Silver Certificate.

Years ago I put together a set of all three "Educationals" ($1, $2, and $5) just because I thought it was such a cool and artistic design. Until reading Cory's article I did not realize that there are only 1,000 examples of the $2 Educational that have been estimated to have survived. Curious how many of the other two "Educationals" remain today and what number of complete sets would be possible to put together. As I recall the grading services were not as involved back then with paper money. Mine are locked away but when I get a chance I will try to remember to pull them out and post some photos.

It was also of interest to learn about those who designed them and their artistic endeavors. Here is a brief description from the article:

"This design was painted by Edwin Howland Blashfield, a well-known muralist at the time, with works spanning from the dome of the Manufacturer’s and Liberal Arts Building at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 to several state capitols, including the central dome of the Library of Congress. He had originally intended the design to be used on a $50 denomination that never came to be. Instead, this design was used in place of another already created for the $2 note..."

Link added:

https://pcgs.com/news/closer-look-series-of-1896-2-dollar-silver-certificate

Staircoins

@PipestonePete said:
The series included a $1 and $5 note as well. Here are the ones that I own.

Beautiful notes. Thank you for sharing them.

I'm partial to the Ace. It's called the Divorce note, you know, as George and Martha swore to let no One come between them!

air4mdc

@1northcoin said:

@ricko said:
Beautiful designs. Which really bothers me..... With today's technology, such art/designs are easily made. However, there seems to be no interest. U.S. currency is - IMO - seriously deficient in this respect. Cheers, RickO

@keyman64 said:
We could definitely use some better artwork on today's currency. Instead of just updating them with new security features every few years, the artistic designs could use a serious refresh as well.

Excellent points. Anyone at BEP listening?

Bueller..........Beuller.........

johnny9434

good to have notes, I like

boiler78

Classic series..... Tiny canvases for beautiful works of art