Why was the obverse of the US $1 FRN redesigned in 1963?

I can appreciate how the one dollar note has followed a distinct path
starting with the series of 1935 with the introduction of the smaller
features that didn't follow for other denominations until 1950 (for
FRN's) or 1953 (silver certificates and legal tenders). One thing that
has bothered me is why the obverse was completely redesigned for the
series of 1963 Federal Reserve Note, when there did not seem to be a
need to do so. Any information on this matter would be most appreciated!

The 1963 was the first small-size, $1, Federal Reserve Note. It wasn't a
redesign, it was a new design which incorporated most of the elements from
the design of the then-current $1 Silver Certificate.

Scott

wrote in news:1146883291.271679.68720
@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

I can appreciate how the one dollar note has followed a distinct path
starting with the series of 1935 with the introduction of the smaller
features that didn't follow for other denominations until 1950 (for
FRN's) or 1953 (silver certificates and legal tenders). One thing that
has bothered me is why the obverse was completely redesigned for the
series of 1963 Federal Reserve Note, when there did not seem to be a
need to do so. Any information on this matter would be most appreciated!

The 1963 was the first small-size, $1, Federal Reserve Note.

Agreed.

It wasn't a redesign, it was a new design which incorporated most of the elements
from the design of the then-current $1 Silver Certificate.

Agreed, from a certain point of view. Note that the scrollwork for the
border was completely redone, made more "leafy" than "column-y" IMHO.
It just seems like it was an unnecessary exercise, considering that the
then-current Series of 1957 design Silver Certificate would have only
required minor changes to accomodate the additional features of a FRN
(the district numbers in each quadrant, replacing the large "1" with
the district symbol, etc.)