Symbols of the United States Department of the Treasury facts for kids
The United States Department of the Treasury has special symbols. These include the Flag of the Treasury Department and the U.S. Treasury Seal. The seal is actually older than the department itself! It was first used by the Board of Treasury before the United States was fully formed. You can see the seal on all U.S. paper money. It also appears on official documents from the Treasury Department.
The Treasury seal has a cool design. It shows a chevron (which looks like an upside-down V) with thirteen stars. These stars stand for the original thirteen states of America. Above the chevron, there's a balance, which means justice and fairness. Below the chevron, you'll see a key. This key represents authority and trust.
Around the edge of the seal, it says "THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY". At the very bottom, it has the year "1789". This is the year the department was created.
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The Treasury Seal: What It Means
Quick facts for kids Seal of the Department of the Treasury |
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| Armiger | U.S. Department of the Treasury |
| Adopted | January 29, 1968 |
| Torse | THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY - 1789 |
| Blazon | Chevron with thirteen stars, a balance, and a key. |
| Earlier version(s) | .png) |
| Use | To represent the organization and to authenticate currency and certain documents. |
How the Seal Was Created
The U.S. Treasury seal was designed by Francis Hopkinson. He was one of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence. He also helped design the Great Seal of the United States. Hopkinson sent bills to Congress in 1780 asking to be paid for his designs. These included flags, money, and several seals, like the one for the Board of Treasury.
The seal was first used around 1782. When the U.S. government started in 1789, the new Department of the Treasury kept using this same seal.
The first seal had more decorations. It also had a Latin phrase around the edge: "THESAUR. AMER. SEPTENT. SIGIL." This means "The Seal of the Treasury of North America." We don't know why it said "North America." But the first national bank, started in 1781, was called the Bank of North America.
After almost 200 years, the Treasury Secretary, Henry H. Fowler, approved a new, simpler seal. This happened on January 29, 1968. The Latin words were changed to English: "THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY." The year "1789" was also added at the bottom.
The Seal on Our Money
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The Treasury seal has been printed on almost all U.S. paper money. This started with the Legal Tender Notes in 1862 and continues today. Only a few early types of money, like the Demand Notes of 1861, did not have the seal.
At first, the U.S. government didn't print its own bills. Private companies printed the money. Then, the bills went to the Treasury Department for finishing. This included adding the seal and serial numbers. This process led to the creation of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In 1869, the Bureau started printing all the money itself.
For many years, the seal's color and style changed a lot. The basic seal was the same, but the edges had different designs. Colors like red, blue, and brown were used for the seal.
The seal's look became standard starting with the smaller-sized notes of Series 1928. The seal had a toothed outer edge. Its color showed what type of money it was. For example, Federal Reserve Notes had a green seal. Silver certificates had a blue seal. United States Notes had a red seal.
During World War II, special money was printed for Hawaii. These bills had the word "HAWAII" on them. They were used only in Hawaii from 1942 to 1944. The seal and serial numbers were brown. This was so the money could be made worthless if enemies captured Hawaii.
Similar special money was made for U.S. troops in North Africa in 1942. These notes had a yellow Treasury seal. This also allowed them to be made worthless if enemies got hold of them.
In 1950, the design of Federal Reserve Notes changed slightly. A smaller seal was used. The 1968 version of the Treasury Seal first appeared on the $100 United States Note in 1966. It was then used on all Federal Reserve Notes starting in 1969.
The "Watchdog" Seal
There's another old seal called the "watchdog seal." It dates back to around 1800. We don't know much about its origin or how much it was used. It's not on Treasury documents anymore. But the original printing plate is kept safe.
This seal shows a strongbox, which is like a safe. The Scales of Justice are on top of it. Next to the strongbox is a watchdog. This dog has its paw on a large key. The seal says "U.S. Treasury" and has a wreath around it. The scales and key are also on the official Treasury seal.
The United States Mint actually had a real watchdog named Nero. He was bought in 1793 for $3. Nero would go with the night watchman on his rounds. Treasury records show money was spent on Nero and other watchdogs for many years. Today, there's a watchdog named Sherman. Some people say Nero is the dog on the seal. He might even be why we use the phrase "Watchdog of the Treasury."
The Treasury Flag
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| Adopted | January 11, 1963 |
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| Design | Background of mintleaf green with an eagle, holding a scroll emblazoned with "THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY" in its beak, while resting on a shield. In the eagle's claws is another scroll, emblazoned with "1789". |
The Flag of the Treasury Department was approved on January 11, 1963. It was first shown on July 1, 1963.
The Treasury Flag has a mint-green background. On it, there is a shield resting on an eagle. The eagle holds a scroll in its beak that says "The Department of the Treasury." In its claws, the eagle holds another scroll with the year "1789."
The shield itself has a yellow background. It has an oak branch on the right and an olive branch on the left. It also has a blue chevron with 13 white stars, representing the original thirteen states. Below the chevron is the traditional Treasury key, which stands for official authority. Above the chevron are the balancing scales, which represent justice.
Flags for Treasury Officials
Besides the main department flag, there are also special flags for different U.S. Treasury Department officials. For example, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury has their own flag.
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An older flag for the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, used until 1915.
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The current flag of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
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The flag of the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.
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The flag of a U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
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The flag of a U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury.
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