Culture
1914 $10 Hemp Bill: A Deep Dive into America’s Hemp Legacy
Hemp in Imagery: More Than Meets the Eye
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” This age-old adage undoubtedly holds true for the photo of the early 20th century US Federal Reserve Note. At a cursory glance, it may raise eyebrows and pique the curiosity of the uninitiated. However, for those invested in the hemp movement—both its storied past and promising future—this image is a treasure trove of information.
The Hemp Connection
The 1914 series $10 bill, often dubbed the “Hemp Bill,” is no ordinary piece of currency. Beyond its monetary value, this bill, printed on hemp paper, silently narrates a chapter of American history. The hemp legacy extends beyond just the bill’s fabric to the vivid imagery it bears.
Backdrop: The Image Tells a Story
On one side of this note, farmers are depicted diligently plowing a field in Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The tall crops are unmistakably hemp—a far cry from the shorter wheat or flax. It’s an ode to Pennsylvania’s flourishing hemp industry that lasted through the 1900s.
Interestingly, this series of Federal Reserve Notes was issued just a year after the USDA unveiled its iconic 1913 Yearbook, dedicated solely to hemp. The imagery aligns closely with descriptions from Lester Dewey’s section on stacking, where he mentions, “Hemp stalks which are to be stacked are bound in bundles about 10 inches in diameter,” resembling the visuals on the bill.
Variations of the ‘Hemp Bill’
The 1914 $10 note was part of a series, available in different variations:
- Large-Size Ten Dollar Note, Federal Reserve Note, Series 1914/Red Seal
- Small-Size Ten Dollar Note, Federal Reserve Note, Series 1915/Blue Seal
- Small-Size Ten Dollar Note, Federal Reserve Note, Series 1918/Blue Seal
Andrew Mellon’s Controversial Connection
Beyond the bill’s imagery, there’s a deeper story involving Andrew Mellon, whose signature graces it. Mellon, a titan of both politics and industry, unwittingly ties the hemp industry to marijuana prohibition, thanks to his nephew, Harry Anslinger. As the lead of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Anslinger championed the Reefer Madness campaign, shaping America’s view on hemp and marijuana for decades.
Designer Spotlight: Clair Aubrey Huston
Clair Aubrey Huston, born in Philadelphia in 1857, was the artistic brain behind the design. While he worked on the front side of the 1944 $10 denomination, his influence on the 1914 series remains undeniable.
In Conclusion
The 1914 $10 bill serves not just as a medium of exchange but as a testament to hemp’s significance in American history. It stands as a relic from a time when hemp’s cultural and economic importance was celebrated, a stark contrast to the ensuing years of prohibition and misinformation.
Dan Herer (the son of Jack Herer, author of “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” Holding a Hemp Bill