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Story
January 22, 1880
Knoxville Daily Chronicle
Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee
What is this article about?
At a dinner, the editor of the London Whitehall Review questions the origin of the American dollar sign. The narrator explains it derives from the Spanish dollar's reverse design of the Pillars of Hercules with 'Plus Ultra' scrolls, which evolved into the $ symbol, possibly representing serpents sent by Juno.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The American $.
The editor of London Whitehall Review, at a dinner, recently, propounded the following question: "What is the origin of the sign for the American dollar?" The American Consul did not know. It was suggested by one of the guests, upon the authority of Notes and Queries, that the sign was a sort of monogram of the United States, from "U. S." But this would not do. The American dollar, says the editor, is taken from the Spanish dollar, and the sign is to be found, of course, in the associations of the Spanish dollar. We littered the table with books, in the course of our researches, but I proved my point to the end. On the reverse of the Spanish dollar is a representation of the Pillars of Hercules, and round each pillar is a scroll, with the inscription, "Plus Ultra." This device, in the course of time, has degenerated into the sign which stands at present for American, as well as Spanish dollars, "$". The scroll round the pillars, I take it, represents the two serpents sent by Juno to destroy Hercules in his cradle.
The editor of London Whitehall Review, at a dinner, recently, propounded the following question: "What is the origin of the sign for the American dollar?" The American Consul did not know. It was suggested by one of the guests, upon the authority of Notes and Queries, that the sign was a sort of monogram of the United States, from "U. S." But this would not do. The American dollar, says the editor, is taken from the Spanish dollar, and the sign is to be found, of course, in the associations of the Spanish dollar. We littered the table with books, in the course of our researches, but I proved my point to the end. On the reverse of the Spanish dollar is a representation of the Pillars of Hercules, and round each pillar is a scroll, with the inscription, "Plus Ultra." This device, in the course of time, has degenerated into the sign which stands at present for American, as well as Spanish dollars, "$". The scroll round the pillars, I take it, represents the two serpents sent by Juno to destroy Hercules in his cradle.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What keywords are associated?
Dollar Sign Origin
Spanish Dollar
Pillars Of Hercules
Plus Ultra
Juno Serpents
What entities or persons were involved?
Editor Of London Whitehall Review
American Consul
Guest
Narrator
Where did it happen?
Dinner In London
Story Details
Key Persons
Editor Of London Whitehall Review
American Consul
Guest
Narrator
Location
Dinner In London
Event Date
Recently
Story Details
The editor questions the dollar sign's origin; a guest suggests 'U.S.' monogram, but the narrator proves it derives from the Spanish dollar's Pillars of Hercules with 'Plus Ultra' scrolls, degenerating into $, possibly representing Juno's serpents.