The Art Of Money

Something has happened to our money. And no, not just that the American peso has dropped historically against the euro, making trips to France and Italy half-again more costly than they used to be.

Rather, our $5, $10 and $20 bills and our coins have suffered a severe drop in quality when considered as art.

Yes, money is art, whether it's the engraving that makes up the bills or the bas-relief sculpture on our coins. There are long histories in both as art mediums, from the intricate lozenge-and-dot portraits of the 17th and 18th centuries and the commemorative medallions struck from the Renaissance on.

But craftsmanship at the mint and at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has declined precipitously, leaving us with wallets full of bad art. This wouldn't be so noticeable if the older coins and bills hadn't been so beautifully made.

"When I compare our money with European money, ours has fallen quite flat in design and execution," says Dan Mayer, printmaker for Pyracantha Press at Arizona State University.

Look at an old bill, before the anti-counterfeiting "improvements" of the 21st century. Not only are the portraits more lifelike - there's a personality behind the eyes in Grant's picture on the $50 bill - the designs also are fuller, more detailed and graceful, full of trailing acanthus and olive leaves.

The vegetative growth and architectural motifs that used to grace our bills announced our national fecundity. We were a waxing moon, a rising tide. The scrollwork and border ornament recalled the inventive bustle of the Renaissance.

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