2017-10-09 Mon

Volume one of a book named Paper Money Messages: A Pictorial Perspective, by Jeffrey J. Wing, is out. The book comes with coloured illustrations that showcase the author’s 20-year experience in finding out the meaning of imagery on paper money and its relation to a country’s values. Subjects explored include role of government in war and peace, economy, and politics. Historical, biographical, architectural, and religious aspects are also discussed. Lastly, it explains how money affects daily life even though it is not backed by any tangible assets.

Global issues are discussed in volume 1 and it is divided into three sections. “Paper Money Authenticity” is the name given to Chapter 1. Hidden messages and symbols on the US as well as some world paper currency are talked about in this chapter along with the importance of portraits. It also talks about different currencies in circulation in the same place at the same time.

The second chapter is named “Indians, Slaves, Propaganda, and War”. It talks about Native Americans and slaves on American federal, Confederate, and obsolete currency. It also covers banknotes of Brazil, Germany, World War II issues, Cuba, military payment certificates, southeast Asia, world slavery, and propaganda on latest currency notes.

History of world inflation is discussed in the last chapter. Currencies from countries like Zimbabwe, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe from the final years of the twentieth century are also talked about. Information about the most famous inflation currency, German notgeld is shared at the end of this chapter. The emergency money was issued when there was hyperinflation after World War I.

The second volume completely elaborates the story behind German notgeld, which is “work in progress”. The book can be purchased for $49.99. You can find more information about the book at papermoneymessages.com.