A banknote from the 1896 silver certificate series of American banknotes, also known as the Educational Series. The notes depict various allegorical motifs and are considered by some numismatists to be the most beautiful monetary designs ever produced by the United States. They were redeemable for their face value of silver dollar coins.
This $5 banknote features the motif Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World, designed by Walter Shirlaw, on its obverse. On the reverse are portraits of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan.
Other denominations: $1, $2Banknote: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)