Dollar Sign – IHS

This symbol, which looks like a dollar sign ($), is actually the letters I, H, and S superimposed over each other. These represent the Greek letters Iota (Ι), Eta (Η) and Sigma (Σ), which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek. See IHS Monogram for more information.

IHS cemetery symbol in the shape of a dollar sign - Iota, Eta, Sigma

Photo: from the grave marker of Atala Blow Noble (1862-1909) and Louis S. Noble (1865-1934), Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado

This entry was posted on Monday, October 2nd, 2006 at 3:36 pm and is filed under Christian, Monograms. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

8 Responses to “Dollar Sign – IHS”

  1. Nisa Says:
    October 3, 2006 at 9:51 am | Reply

    What an exquisite example; thank you.

  2. Visitor Says:
    October 9, 2006 at 7:41 pm | Reply

    IHS is the abbreviation for “In hoc signo” — “By this sign” (i.e. the Cross) you shall conquer.

  3. Hamish Osborn Says:
    December 5, 2006 at 8:41 am | Reply

    In fact the $ symbol originates in Free Masonry The S is in fact a serpent and is taken from the buckle of a freemasons apron. The symbol of the serpent represents wisdom.
    The twin vertical lines historically part of the dollar symbol were representative of the two pillars that stood at the porchway or entrance of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.
    One named after **** , the Great Grandfather of King David and the other for the assistant High priest who officiated at the dedication of the Temple .
    The USA was set up by Freemasons If you look at your declaration of independence look closely at the signatories names. Each one was a Freemason, Look at your dollar bill, and repeat your oath of alleigence. If in doubt then go and ask any freemason to tell you of the craft. You may find it revealing and interesting.

  4. naisioxerloro Says:
    November 28, 2007 at 8:59 pm | Reply

    Hi.
    Good design, who make it?

  5. steadyjohn Says:
    January 10, 2009 at 12:23 pm | Reply

    Here is a photograph of an example from a very early cemetery in Brooklyn CT found on Flickr. Not sure of the date of this marker but it doesn’t seem to be among the earliest. Any thoughts if this fits the IHS theory?
    Shortened URL:
    http://is.gd/fdac

    As to the dollar sign theory, a quick search of that symbolism yields many examples of the “S” with either 1 or slashes but none with 3. See shortened link below:
    http://is.gd/fdep

    I see that this thread is a couple of years old but still would appreciate any response from interested parties.

  6. Fox Goodman Says:
    February 7, 2009 at 8:40 pm | Reply

    Looks like an LSN to me. Since the grave belongs to Louis S. Nobel it would make sense. The simplest explanation is often the correct one. I believe the $ symbol was also on spanish pieces of 8.

  7. Kelly Says:
    May 23, 2009 at 1:02 am | Reply

    We saw this exact symbol one before but it was backwards… does this mean anything?

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