View source for Symbols of the United States Department of the Treasury

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[[File:US Treasury seal (BEP proof).jpg|thumb|[[Bureau of Engraving and Printing]] proof impression of a United States Treasury seal used for issued currency. This particular design, with the distinctive belt buckle, was only used on Series 1878 [[Silver certificate (United States)|U.S. Silver Certificates]].]]
'''Symbols of the [[United States Department of the Treasury]]''' include the '''Flag of the Treasury Department''' and the '''U.S. Treasury Seal'''. The original seal actually predates the department itself, having originated with the Board of Treasury during the period of the [[Articles of Confederation]]. The seal is used on all U.S. paper currency, and (like other departmental seals) on official Treasury documents.

The seal includes a [[Chevron (insignia)|chevron]] with thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen states. Above the chevron is a balance, representing justice. The key below the chevron represents authority and trust.<ref name="factseal">
{{cite web|url=http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/history/treas-seal.shtml|title=Fact Sheet on the Seal of the Treasury Department|publisher=U.S. Treasury Department|access-date=2007-08-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823062945/http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/history/treas-seal.shtml|archive-date=2007-08-23}}
</ref><ref name="treasuryhist">
{{cite web|url=http://www.treasuryhistoricalassn.org/newsletters/march_2001.pdf|title=Treasury Historical Association Newsletter|date=March 2001|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref>

The phrase <small>THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY</small> is around the rim, and <small>1789</small> (the year the department was established) is at the bottom.  This inscription is in a Cheltanham Bold font.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://treas.gov/regs/to100-01.htm|title=Treasury Order 100-01: The Department of the Treasury Seal|publisher=Department of the Treasury|access-date=2007-08-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817194817/https://www.treas.gov/regs/to100-01.htm|archive-date=2007-08-17}}</ref>

==Seal==
{{Infobox coat of arms
 | name             = Seal of the Department of the Treasury
 | image            = Seal of the United States Department of the Treasury.svg
 | image_width      = 200
 | middle           = 
 | middle_width     = 
 | middle_caption   = 
 | lesser           = 
 | lesser_width     = 
 | lesser_caption   =
 | image2           =
 | image2_width     =
 | image2_caption   =
 | armiger          = [[United States Department of the Treasury|U.S. Department of the Treasury]]
 | year_adopted     = January 29, 1968
 | crest            = 
 | torse            = THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY - 1789
 | shield           = [[Chevron (insignia)|Chevron]] with thirteen stars, a balance, and a key.
 | supporters       = 
 | motto            =
 | orders           = 
 | other_elements   =
 | earlier_versions = [[File:Seal of the United States Department of the Treasury (1789-1968).png|150px]]
 | use              = To represent the organization and to authenticate currency and certain documents.
}}

===History===
[[Image:Seal of the United States Department of the Treasury (1789-1968).png|thumb|left|Original seal, dating from before 1968]]
In 1778, the [[Second Continental Congress]] named [[John Witherspoon]], [[Gouverneur Morris]] and [[Richard Henry Lee]] to design seals for the Treasury and the Navy. The committee reported on a design for the Navy the following year, but there is no record of a report about a seal for the Treasury.<ref name="factseal"/><ref name="treasuryhist"/>

The actual creator of the U.S. Treasury seal was [[Francis Hopkinson]],<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Williams Jr.|first1=Earl P.|title=A Civil Servant Designed Our National Banner: The Unsung Legacy of Francis Hopkinson|journal=The New Constellation|date=June 14, 1996|issue=Special Edition No. 7|page=6 and 8}}</ref> who was one of the signers of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and also contributed to the design of the [[Great Seal of the United States]]. He is known to have later submitted bills to the Congress in 1780 seeking payment for his design of flags, currency, and several seals, including one for the Board of Treasury.<ref name="factseal"/><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/hlaw:@field(DOCID+@lit(jc01845))|title=Journal of the Continental Congress, Friday, October 27, 1780|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref>  The earliest known usage of the seal was in 1782.  When the United States Government was established in 1789, the new Department of the Treasury continued to use the existing seal.<ref name="treasuryhist"/>

In addition to the elements still found on the current seal, the original featured more ornamentation and the Latin inscription <small>THESAUR. AMER. SEPTENT. SIGIL.</small> around the rim.  The inscription is an abbreviation for the phrase ''Thesauri Americae Septentrionalis Sigillum'', which translates to "The Seal of the Treasury of North America".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treas.gov/education/history/brochure/history.shtml|title=History of the Office of the Curator|publisher=U.S. Treasury Department|access-date=2007-08-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817161128/https://www.treas.gov/education/history/brochure/history.shtml|archive-date=2007-08-17}}</ref>  The reason for the original wording that embraced all of North America is unknown,<ref name="factseal"/> although the first national bank&mdash;chartered in 1781 to help solidify the nation's finances&mdash;was named the [[Bank of North America]].

After nearly 200 years, [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Treasury Secretary]] [[Henry H. Fowler]] approved a new, simplified version of the seal on January 29, 1968.  The Latin inscription was replaced by the English <small>THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY</small>, and <small>1789</small> was added at the bottom.<ref name="factseal"/>

===Currency===
[[File:USDeptOfTreasurySeal-1862Bill (Higher Resolution).jpg|thumb|left|Seal on the first $1 paper bill from 1862]]
The Treasury seal has been printed on virtually all U.S. federally-issued paper currency, starting with the Legal Tender Notes ([[United States Note]]s) in 1862 and continuing today.  The only exceptions were the [[Demand Note]]s of 1861 (the original "greenbacks") and the first three issues of [[Fractional currency|fractional]] (less than a dollar) notes in the 1860s; in both cases the authorizing laws did not require the seal.<ref name="currnotes">
{{cite web|url=http://www.bep.treas.gov/uploads/Currency_Notes.pdf|title=Currency Notes|publisher=Bureau of Engraving and Printing|pages=14–15|accessdate=2007-08-22 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926075304/http://www.bep.treas.gov/uploads/Currency_Notes.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-26}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=012/llsl012.db&recNum=344|title=Act of August 5, 1861 Chapter XLVI|publisher=United States Congress|location=Washington D.C.|year=1861|accessdate=2007-08-22}}</ref>

Initially the U.S. government had no means to produce bills on its own, so the first paper bills were printed by private firms and then sent to the Treasury Department for final processing.  Along with trimming and separating the bills, this processing included the overprinting of the seal onto the notes (even today, the serial number and seal are overprinted on the notes after the face has been printed).  This was the beginning of what was later known as the [[Bureau of Engraving and Printing]].  In July 1869, the Bureau began to print notes on its own.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uploads/BEP_History.pdf|title=BEP History|publisher=Bureau of Engraving and Printing|accessdate=2007-08-22 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926075304/http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uploads/BEP_History.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-26}}</ref>

[[Image:USDeptOfTreasurySeal-2003Bill.jpg|thumb|200px|Modern seal on a current $1 bill]]
For several decades, the color and style of the printed seal varied greatly from issue to issue (and even within the same issue).  The basic seal was the same, but the circumferences were embellished with lathework decoration such as scallops, beading, 
or spikes.  Among the colors used for the seal during this period were red, blue, and brown.<ref name="currnotes"/>

The usage of the seal was standardized starting on the smaller-sized notes of [[Series of 1928 (United States Currency)|Series 1928]].  The seal was printed with a toothed outer edge, and other than the color were the same across all styles of currency.  [[Federal Reserve Note]]s were issued with a green seal, [[Silver certificate (United States)|silver certificates]] with a blue seal, [[gold certificate (United States)|gold certificate]]s with an orange seal, [[United States Note]]s with a red seal, and [[National Bank Note]]s and [[Federal Reserve Bank Note]]s with brown seals.<ref name="currnotes"/>

[[File:$10HawaiiFront.jpg|thumb|210px|left|$10 Hawaii [[overprint]] bill]]
During [[World War II]], [[HAWAII Overprint Note|special versions of Federal Reserve Notes and Silver Certificates]] were printed with the word <small>HAWAII</small> on each end, and circulated only in Hawaii between 1942 and 1944.  The seal and serial numbers were brown to further distinguish them from regular notes.  In the event that Hawaii was captured by enemy forces, the special notes could be declared worthless.  Similarly, special Silver Certificates were issued for use by U.S. troops during the invasion of North Africa in November 1942.  These notes had a distinctive yellow treasury seal, which would again allow them to be declared worthless if large amounts fell into enemy hands.<ref name="currnotes"/>

In Series 1950, the general design of all Federal Reserve Notes was changed slightly, and a smaller seal was used.  The 1968 version of the Treasury Seal had first been used on the $100 United States Note in Series 1966, and was later introduced on all Federal Reserve Notes starting with Series 1969.<ref name="currnotes"/>

===Watchdog seal===
[[Image:WatchdogOfTheTreasury1800Seal.jpg|thumb|200px|Watchdog seal]]
The watchdog seal dates from around 1800.  Its origin is a matter of speculation, as is the extent of its use at the time.  It has long disappeared from Treasury documents, but the original plate of the seal is on deposit at the [[United States Government Printing Office]].<ref name="watchdog">{{cite web|url=http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/history/watchdogs.shtml|title=Fact Sheet on the Watchdogs of the Treasury|publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury|access-date=2007-08-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809152926/http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/history/watchdogs.shtml|archive-date=2007-08-09}}</ref>

The seal contains a symbolic strongbox, with the Scales of Justice on top.  Lying beside the strongbox is a capable looking watchdog, with his left front paw securely clasping a large key. The seal bears the lettering "U.S. Treasury", and is bordered by a wreath.  The scales and the key are also incorporated on the official seal.

The [[United States Mint]] did in fact own a real watchdog named Nero, who was originally purchased in 1793 for $3 and accompanied the night watchman on his rounds.  Treasury documents record further expenditures for Nero and successor watchdogs over the following twenty-five years, and currently Sherman.  According to department legend, Nero is the canine depicted on the seal, and may have been the origin (or at least the inspiration) of the term "Watchdog of the Treasury".<ref name="watchdog"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustreas.gov/education/history/brochure/organization_and_functions.shtml|title=Office of the Curator: Organization and Functions|access-date=2007-08-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121135404/http://www.ustreas.gov/education/history/brochure/organization_and_functions.shtml|archive-date=2007-11-21}}</ref>

==Flag==
{{Infobox Flag
| Name = United States Department of the Treasury
| Image = Flag of the United States Department of the Treasury.png
| Image_size = 200px
| Alt = Flag of the U.S. Department of the Treasury
| Use = <!--010000-->
| Symbol = <!--[[File:FIAV 010000.svg|24px]]-->
| Proportion = 
| Adoption = January 11, 1963
| 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".
| Designer = 
}}

The '''Flag of the Treasury Department''' was approved on January 11, 1963, by [[C. Douglas Dillon]], the 57th [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]], and was first displayed on July 1, 1963.<ref name="TreasuryFlag">{{cite web|url=http://www.treasury.gov/about/history/Pages/treas-flag.aspx|work=United States Department of the Treasury|publisher=Federal government of the United States of America|title=Flag of the Treasury Department|date=October 3, 2010|quote=C.Douglas Dillon, the 57th Secretary of the Treasury, approved the Treasury Department's official Flag on January 11, 1963. It was first displayed on July 1, 1963. The Treasury Flag has a background of mintleaf green, upon which there is a shield resting upon an eagle. In its beak, the eagle is holding a scroll containing the words "The Department of the Treasury." The obverse side of the scroll is Old Glory blue with white letters and the reverse side is white with dark gray. In its claws the eagle holds another scroll containing the year of the Department's creation "1789" in white. The shield background is yellow with brown outlines and yellow-orange shadows. There is an oak branch on the right side and an olive branch on the left. It also contains a blue chevron crested by 13 white stars (to represent the original thirteen states). Beneath the chevron is the traditional Treasury key (the emblem of official authority) in white. Above the chevron appears the balancing scales (representing justice) in white pivoting upon a blue anchor.|accessdate=April 23, 2013}}</ref> According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the flag is defined as follows:

{{cquote|The Treasury Flag has a background of mintleaf green, upon which there is a shield resting upon an eagle. In its beak, the eagle is holding a scroll containing the words "The Department of the Treasury." The obverse side of the scroll is Old Glory blue with white letters and the reverse side is white with dark gray. In its claws the eagle holds another scroll containing the year of the Department's creation "1789" in white.<br /><br />The shield background is yellow with brown outlines and yellow-orange shadows. There is an oak branch on the right side and an olive branch on the left. It also contains a blue chevron crested by 13 white stars (to represent the original thirteen states). Beneath the chevron is the traditional Treasury key (the emblem of official authority) in white. Above the chevron appears the balancing scales (representing justice) in white pivoting upon a blue anchor.|author=U.S. Department of the Treasury, "Flag of the Treasury Department"|source=<ref name="TreasuryFlag"/>}}

===Treasury Department officials===
In addition to the departmental flag, several personal flags, or standards, are used to represent different U.S. Treasury Department officials, such as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
<gallery class="center">
File:Flag of the United States Secretary of the Treasury (1887-1915).png|The former flag of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, originating from 1887. It was used until 1915.
File:Flag of the United States Secretary of the Treasury.svg|The current flag of the [[U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]]
File:Flag of the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.svg|The flag of the [[United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury|U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury]]
File:Flag of the United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.svg|The flag of a [[United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury|U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury]]
File:Flag of the United States Under Secretary of the Treasury.svg|The flag of a [[United States Under Secretary of the Treasury|U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070823062945/http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/history/treas-seal.shtml Fact Sheet on the Seal of the Treasury Department]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926075304/http://www.bep.treas.gov/uploads/Currency_Notes.pdf Bureau of Engraving and Printing Currency Notes] (PDF), which has a chapter on the Treasury Seal
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070817194817/https://www.treas.gov/regs/to100-01.htm Treasury Order 100-01], The Department of the Treasury Seal
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080421001447/http://www.ustreas.gov/regs/td73-04.htm Treasury Directive 73-04] (policy for the use of the seal)

[[Category:United States Department of the Treasury]]
[[Category:Seals of organizations|United States Treasury Department]]
[[Category:American heraldry|Treasury Department]]