Cultural Anthropology

Paper Assignment #1
“Money”

This paper should be typed, double or 1.5 spaced, in 12 point font, and about 5-7 pages
(4-6 if 1.5 spaced). You will lose 10 points for each day the paper is late (including non-
lecture weekdays and weekends).

A country’s money says a lot about its values and culture. For this assignment I want you
to examine foreign currency and American currency (use notes and coins that are
readily available). Then, based solely on the foreign notes and coins provided in class and
on the American money you have, explain what you learn about the two cultures.
Make sure you cite any references you might use – the citation format does not matter.

In your paper title, please indicate which foreign country you examined.

Include, among other things, the following items when applicable:

1. Indicate where the foreign country is located (which countries border it, etc).
2. What images are on the currency?
a. If a person’s portrait is on the currency, look on the internet (Wikipedia
can be helpful here) to see why they are culturally important.
i. What does the focus on those people say about the culture?
b. If buildings or animals are on the currency, then explain their significance.
Once again Wikipedia might be helpful.
3. If the money includes narratives, such as a line from a poem or a phrase, see if
you can find out from where it came and why it might be included. You can type
in the phrase into Google or do an internet search for sites that do translations.
You do not need to discuss phrases involving things such as “This note is legal
tender” or “Treasurer of the United States”, etc.
4. What language(s) is (are) used on the currency? If there is more than one, find
out why.

Finally, in one or two paragraphs explain your reasoning regarding if and how
American society might be different if it focused on important cultural heroes instead of
politicians. For examples, consider what it would mean to American society if the
following individuals were on our notes instead of the various politicians:

$1 = Martin Luther King Jr.

$5 = Gertrude Stein
$10 = Alexander Graham Bell
$20 = Cesar Chavez
$50 = Amelia Earhart
$100 = Louis Armstrong