Banknote motif: the number 1 against an oval of woven lathe work, inside a rectangle decorated with grain 1819 - 1847

This banknote motif was designed by Cyrus Durand. It features the number 1 against an oval of woven lathe work, inside a rectangle decorated with grain. Consider the historical context in which Durand created this motif. During the 19th century, the United States was undergoing rapid economic expansion and this growth was deeply entangled with westward expansion and the exploitation of both enslaved people and natural resources. The grain motif, carefully rendered, symbolizes the promise of agricultural wealth and abundance but it is an abundance that came at a great cost. It conceals the harsh realities of the labor that produced it, and the environmental impact of intensive farming practices. The numeral one, prominently displayed, signifies value and currency. Yet, its ornate design almost seems to belie the true social and ecological costs of this economic system. As you reflect on Durand’s design, contemplate the ways in which symbols of prosperity can mask underlying social and ecological injustices.