The New National Currency

The lollowing interesting description of the new natioiial currcnoy is furnished by tlie Washington correspondent of the Eoening Post. As a matter of general interest it will amply repay perusal : THS PLAN OF TnE NOTES. The plan of the notes is novel, and singularly beautiful. The prominent heada and figures which distinguish so many of the bank bilis now in use are entirely omitted frora these notes ; the figures decoting valué are small ; and the borders are neatly and carefuliy engraved with combinations and wreaths. The ordinary distinction between the "face" and "back" of bank notes has in this case been so nearly destroyed that the designationa 'obverse" and "reverse" have taken the place of thoso terms in the nomenclature adopted by the department. The idea uoderlying the system and which will be carried through the series of 05, 810, 20, 850, 100, 8500 and $1,000, is that of representing in the vignettes on the face of the notes the leading events in the history of our country, with corresponding allegorical piecea of pleasing effect, and generally of patriotic sugsestion. Covering nearly half the space on the back of the notes tht-re are engravings of celebrated picture?, illustrative of American btstory, from " The Landing of Columbus,1' which decorates the five dollar note, to the events of the revolution, white "The Battle nf Lake Erie " is one of the vignettes of the one hunclrcd dollar denomination. It may be itiferred, hut it is by no means certain, that the illustrations on the five hundred dollar and the thousand dollar notca, which it is uuderstood are not yet in the hands of the engraver, unlees in the department at Washington, are to commemorate the progress aud enlhipse of the rebellioi. Below will be found brief descriptions of the notes nearly finished, with sotne account of the others. There are tro vignettes on the face of each note, which is entirely printed in black, anci besides the principal piece on the back are the natiocal arius and those of the State whcre the bank of issue is situated, which, with the border are prioted ín green. THE ÏTVE DOI.LAIt NOTE. The vignette at the left hand lower corner rep-esents Columbus discovering the land. Columbus 3 in the foreground, on the deck of nis ve?sel, while near him, leaning over tho side of the vessel, is a figure turning toward him, as if in consultation. A nother figure is repreaentüd g'sping a crucifix ; the face is turned heavenward. In the background is a group, oí vvhicü the principal figuro is a priest. On the other end of the note is an allegorical piecc, representing Columbus introducing America to tho Old World. The design of this piece is happily conceived and rendered. The figuro of America is th:it of a yoang :;irl, Ëurops, Asia, and África are represi-nted by corresponding figures. Europe is in the immediate foreground, Asia is next, and the sabio figure of África ia standing further back. Thcre is also a distaut view of shipping and the pcean. The back ol' tho note is ornamented with a finely exeeuted engraving of the Jjanding of Columbus, from the painting by Vanderlyn, in the rotunda of the Capítol at Washington. The appearanco of the ropresentation on the uote is greatly superior to that of the original, the drawing having been improved by Castilcar and other artists, The onds, of elabórate scroil and lathe work, inelude at the right, in an oval by on inch aud a half, the national eaglc aud shield, with " U. S." in cipher on the sky in the background. The correspouding oval at the othor eud of the note will coutf.hi the coat of arms of the Stdfe, as already described. The name of the State will appear on the sky in the background. The legend on the face of the note is as follows : XATION'AL CURRENCY. ïlits npte is seeured by bpnds of Tbs Uxited Sïates, Deposited With tho U. 8. ïreasurer at Washington. Ij. E. ClIITTpNDEi. P,egister of the Treasury. F. E. Spinxeb, Troasurer United States. Fibst National Bask of [Ilcre will be inserted tlie name of the place where the Bank is situated ] WILL FY THE BEARKÜ OJ DBSIAJB FIVE DOtLARS. [Place of tlie date.] These words are so mueh erowdeil on the note and the letters are s-o trlaok, that t hjj beauty of tho engraviu; is less displayed t',jau it otherwise would be. The places for the signature of tho ; President ar.d Cashier are nest to the lower ojargin, anct near the vignettes. The following is that part of the inscription on the back, which describes the uses of the note : " This note 8 receivablo at par in all parta of the United Stutes in paymeiit of all taxes and excises, and all other dues to the Uniteu States, except dutios on imports, and also l'or all salaries and other debts and demauds owing by the United State? to individuáis, èorporètións and associations within the United States, eoept interest ou public dobt." THU TEN DOLLAR NOTÏÏ. The legcuds on the ten dollar note are the same as those on the five. with the exception, of course, of the denomination. The general :rr:in remen t of details is the same, and in thtit respect the Jesonption of the five will apply to the 1 entire series. Tho vignettes and engrai vinga fqrm tho niain points of di tierenee. The general uhapo aud design of tho usures are also changed. The vignette ! representaron of Foot on tho ten dollar note delineates the experiment of Franklin bv wbich; with the hietcrieal kite, he caugbt the lightning. The philosopher in the foregroand stands perfectly undisturbed in the storm, while lurid flashea light up the clouds; an attendnnt witb, the " bottle " - the elecirieal jar into which Franklin conveyed the lightning - ia represented in the engraving.. Tb.e scène is one of much sublimity. ïhe corresponding allegorical piece is a beautiful coneeption. The Genius of America, represeuted by a female figure, borne upon an eagle amid the clouds, graspsa thunderbolt, The characteristic placidity which distinguished Franklin, nttanhes also to this figure in a remarkable degree. The engraving on the back of the nota is from the well known paioting, " Da Sto discovering the Mississippi."- There are many figures, and the picture as here represented is improved frooa the original, like that of tha landing of Columbus on the five dollar note. The work ís in the highest style of art. Tha other portions of the back are like those on tbe note first described. OTIIER NOTES. The historical representaron on tbe face of the twenty dollar note is the battle of Lexington. The allegorical piece is " Loyality; " and it is a timely and spirited pictuig. A figure of Liberty standing in tbe foreground, bears aloft the stars and stripss Near by, on eaeh side and in the background, are figures of men - farmers, artizans and others - ■ who ara rallying around the flag. On the back of the note " The Baptisin of Pocahontas " is engraved. The vignette on the fifty ciollar noie rs. "Vashington Crossing the Pelaware." - The corresponding allegory, nofc yet finished, is understood to be '' A Prayer for Victory." The back is ornamented, with an engraving fiom Wier's " Embarkation of tbe Pilgrims." The one hundred dollar note will havo on the face a vignette of " The Battla on Lake Erie," and allegorical illustration entitled, " Maintain It "-that is, liberty and nitiouality. " The Declaration of Indcpendence," from Trumbull's picture, is to be engraved on the back. None of the notes, except the five and ten dollar denomiaations, can bc prómised for distribution to the ïjans for some lime to come.