Supposing I had to choose only one thing to send to an international exhibition to represent my country, I would send a dollar bill. The one dollar bill may not be a lot of money, nor typically considered a work of American literature, but it is rich with American symbolism, American mottos, and other useful government information. New businesses commonly put their first earned dollar into a frame to hang on the wall, proudly, because, in America, there is hope for individual success.
The one dollar bill has many American symbols printed on it. George Washington was our first President, and his last name appears underneath his face, on a banner, on the front of the bill. On the back of the dollar are two complex circles with symbols inside them, both comprising The Great Seal. The left side circle includes an unfinished pyramid. Atop the pyramid is an eye inside a very small triangle, called the Eye of Providence. It is said to represent our vision, as a country, or possibly alluding to God watching over us. Within the circle on the right side of the back of the dollar is the American eagle: a symbol of enduring freedom. In front of the eagle's chest is a shield with 13 stripes (all 13s indicative of the original colonies). 13 stars are above the eagle's head, said to show our sovereignty as reigning above other nations, and he holds 13 arrows in his right talons, hinting at our striking power. In his left talons is the branch of an olive tree, representing peace, and his wings are spread proudly.
The mottos on the dollar are many. On the back, above "ONE," is written "In God We Trust." Written above the Eye of Providence is "Annuit Coeptis," meaning (in Latin) "He has favored our undertakings." "Novus Ordo Seclorum," which appears below the pyramid on a banner means "A New Order of the Ages." On the bottom level of the pyramid, "MDCCLXXVI" translates into "1776" from Roman numerals: the year of our independence from Great Britain. The banner in the eagle's mouth says "E Pluribus Unum," or "Out of many, One," showing our unity, even as a multicultural country. "The United States of America" is printed on the front and back of the dollar. People commonly call our country "America," "the US," or "the U.S. of A.,"all of which are shortened versions of the proper name.
