Santa Claus On Bank Notes

Obsolete notes are known for being quite colorful and fun since the issuers could choose their own designs. Printing companies would offer stock images for banks to choose from, and some of these designs included Santa Claus.

Obsolete bank notes were used from the founding of the U.S. through the Civil War when the U.S. Treasury began to take over the printing and created standardized currency. Banks had a large selection of vignettes to choose from, including animals, Native Americans, landmarks, and patriotic symbols such as Lady Liberty and the eagle. 

Christmas was declared an official holiday by many states in the mid-1800s, and to celebrate, many banks decided to create Santa Claus currency. A total of 21 banks from 8 states have been identified as having issued obsolete notes featuring Santa Claus.

This was a time when Santa Claus did not have a standardized appearance, as who we know as Santa Claus today didn’t come about until 1823, when the poem attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, A Visit from St. Nicholas, was published. The poem is now widely known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This meant that the Santa Claus depicted on the bank notes varied from a plump, jolly fellow to a tall, skinny man. Moore’s poem only further fueled the desire to celebrate.

Thomas Nast was a cartoonist and is also credited with creating the modern image of Santa. Nast is often called the “Father of the American Cartoon” and drew political illustrations during the Civil War era. His depiction of Santa, called Merry Old Santa Claus, shows Santa with his fluffy white beard, round belly, and red suit. Santa is also seen carrying various toys and smoking a pipe.

Obsolete bank notes, in general, are highly sought after by collectors, but Santa Claus notes, in particular, are something every bank note collector would love to have.