More Ugly Money from the U.S. Treasury

new_5_dollar_bill.jpg

I really think the US Mint (coins) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (dollar bills) have lost the art of designing money. The fine detail and overall sense of composition that used to distinguish our currency is now no more.

Case in point is the new $5 dollar bill with that big ugly purple '5'. It looks like they just got out a huge rubber stamp and banged away.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing praises this as "Safer, Smarter, More Secure". Apparently 'visually impressive' so it conveys -- who knows? -- the idea of actually being worth something is no longer a requirement.

Meanwhile someone has created a website called "Get Helvetica Off Our Money."

Submitted by Leo Klein on Sat, 04/05/2008 - 11:26pm.

Hmm. Considering the fact that the big, purple, Helvetica numeral on the back of the new $5 bill is intended to help people with vision impairments keep from getting ripped off, I find your complaints rather glib.

What, is it just me?

Scot Colford (not verified) | Sun, 04/06/2008 - 7:43am

Glib?

Well, the notion that this is the only way to solve the problem is, shall we say, a bit narrow.

Actually I'd go further, it's a joke.

Leo Klein | Sun, 04/06/2008 - 8:31am

About Leo

Leo Klein in front of the DLB
Leo is a writer and designer living in Chicago. For more info: Home Page | Contact

Talk To Leo

MyBlogLog

www.flickr.com

LibSite.org

SAVE THE INTERNET:
Save the Internet: Click here
LIBSITE WIDGET: Get the LibSite Widget! LIBSITE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the libSite.org Newsletter! ONE WEB DAY: OneWebDay DRUPAL ASSOC.: Member of the Drupal Association

LinkedIn

Amazon