Design for a Bank Note
Classification
numismatics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter Shirlaw
Accession Number
1912-16-84
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Design for a Bank Note** by Walter Shirlaw1838–1909), a Scottish-born American artist dates to around 1895 and resides in the Smithsonian American Art's numismatics collection Donated by Mrs. Walter Shirlaw, this highlights Shirlaw's versatility during the Gilded Age, a time when intricate designs bridged fine art and practical commerce. As part of the Smithsonian Collection, it exemplifies how artists contributed to the visual language of American currency. Bank note designs from this era were feats of precision, crafted for engraving processes that ensured security against counterfeiting ...