Post Scripts: The story behind the dollar bill

Many citizens don’t know that it was the Truro and Solomon families that bankrolled the American Revolution and were never paid back and not only did Solomon die a pauper, the Truro family did as well.

Amazing, no? And who was Hayim Solomon?

Take a one dollar bill and look at it. On the rear of the bill, you will see two circles. Together they comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a seal. It took them four years and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a pyramid. Note that the face is lighted and the western side is dark. Our nation was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for western civilization. The pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.

It was Franklin’s belief that one man couldn’t do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "In God We Trust" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means "God has favored our undertaking" The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means "a new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776, (MDCCLXXV1).

If you look at the right-hand circle, check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every national cemetery in the U.S. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Fla., National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero’s monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and is always visible when he speaks, yet few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he was not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice that the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of the shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the eagle’s back you will read: "E PLURIBUS UNUM" meaning "one from many."

Above the eagle you have 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies, and any clouds of doubt rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

Some say 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes in our flag, 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 letters in "Annuit Coeptis," 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the eagle, 13 stars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits and if you look closely, 13 arrows.

Finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle, you will see they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia citizen, what he would like in return for his service to the Continental Army.

Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people were ever aware of this deed. Few people ever knew it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contribution.