The only US paper money w/a Native on it
The only US paper money w/a Native American Indian Chief (by Pacific Northwest Native)
The series of 1899 Silver certificate was the only United States paper currency note (regular issue) that ever featured a Native American Indian on it. Unfortunately, even this was a slap in the face (an insult) to the Tribes involved. The depiction was originally done with an actual chief of one tribe’s photo used for the image, but the US government felt it wasn’t good enough because he did not have a headdress on that fit the space on the note. So the Bureau of Engraving & Printing added a different headdress to the image- only it was from a different Tribe. The result is what you see here. Even though the Tribes protested to the government that this was not only incorrect, but also highly objectionable; the government ignored them & left it as they had done it.





