The notes depict various allegorical motifs and are considered by some[1][2][3] numismatists to be the most beautiful monetary designs ever produced by the United States.

[4] The term "Educational" is derived from the title of the vignette on the $1 note, History Instructing Youth.

[5] Each note includes an allegorical scene on the obverse and a pair of portraits on the reverse.

[10][11] Four artists were commissioned by the BEP to produce key artwork: E. H. Blashfield, Will H. Low, C. S. Reinhart, and Walter Shirlaw.

[17] The naked breasts of the female figures on the $5 silver certificate reportedly caused some minor controversy when several Boston society ladies took offense to the design.

Some bankers reportedly refused to accept the notes in transactions, and the term "banned in Boston" allegedly originates from the $5 silver certificate.