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Origins of the US dollar sign ($) ?

Some say it came from the mint mart of Potosi silver pieces of eight minted starting in the 16th century.
Others think it came from the Greek symbol of psi and a S, or from the money bags from the US mint with the U & S superimposed.

I like to think it came from pillars of Hercules as seen on a pieces of eight coin, because those are really cool coins.


image

Comments

  • savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,310 ✭✭✭✭
    Genuine examples are even cooler, if you can believe it

    www.brunkauctions.com

  • I think you're right that the Pillars of Hercules is the origin of the vertical lines. The image of the two pillars from the tenth of Hercules twelve labors.

    The U.S. dollar sign may also have been inspired by the Caduceus, the staff of Hermes.

    image

    Both the Caduceus and duel pillar image would appeal to Freemasons. And it is well-known that many of the architects of the U.S. were involved in the craft.

    A very clear example of the importance of pillars to Freemasonary is seen on George Washington's masonic apron...also seen is the all-seeing eye, another fixture on U.S. money.

    image
    "Man will never be perfect until he learns to create and destroy; he does know how to destroy, and that is half the battle.”
    - Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

    SOLVE ET COAGULA
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Several conflicting opinions, but general consensus is that there is no clear, evidence based origin. Cheers, RickO
  • TomthecoinguyTomthecoinguy Posts: 849 ✭✭✭✭
    Anyone know when the first documented appearance of the dollar sign is?
  • MilkmanDanMilkmanDan Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Back up a few more years to the Spanish Pillar 8 Reales:
    image
    I think consensus is the dollar sign originated from the banner wrapped around the pillar. The pillars, known as "dos mundos" in their day, circulated in early america.

    On a side note, I'm infatuated with the coin pictured above.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the boards MisterSmithGuesser

    image

    Interesting information. The pyramid and eye on the back of the dollar bill are an obvious nod to Free Masonry, and there are other links as well.
  • Thanks.

    I should clarify though, the all-seeing eye is used by the Freemasons, but it's not a unique symbol to the craft. It's been used by others to represent many different things.
    "Man will never be perfect until he learns to create and destroy; he does know how to destroy, and that is half the battle.”
    - Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

    SOLVE ET COAGULA
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Some say it came from the mint mart of Potosi silver pieces of eight minted starting in the 16th century.
    Others think it came from the Greek symbol of psi and a S, or from the money bags from the US mint with the U & S superimposed.

    I like to think it came from pillars of Hercules as seen on a pieces of eight coin, because those are really cool coins.


    image >>



    Is that coin real?
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    I didn't bother uploading a picture of mine. Savvy doesn't think so, and he is special.

    You can pick another one if you like
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "However, it actually comes from a handwritten 'ps', an abbreviation for 'peso' in old Spanish-American books. The $ symbol first occurs in the 1770s, in manuscript documents of English-Americans who had business dealings with Spanish-Americans, and it starts to appear in print after 1800."

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