Maureen Levine writes:

What is the significance of the "crow and pitcher" vignette on the Halifax issue of NorthCarolina currency, and where did the image originate? Unlike the Franklin motifs on ContinentalCurrency, it won't be found in arcane books of symbols and emblems. Instead, the source isAesop's fables, which were very popular in Colonial America. Thomas Jefferson referred tovarious tales on more than one occasion, using them to illuminate current events.

Today, the general populace is still familiar with some of the stories, such as "The Tortoise andthe Hare" and its corresponding motto of "Slow and steady wins the race." But the story of "TheCrow and the Pitcher" is not widely known. Though there are different versions of the story, theLibrary of Congress' Aesop's Fables for Children recounts the following fable:

The moral given in this online publication is, "In a pinch a good use of our wits may help usout." Other interpretations include, "Little by little does the trick," and my favorite, "Necessity isthe mother of invention."

Regardless of which lesson is imparted, the story provides meaning to the interesting "Crow andPitcher" motif. Before reading the tale, it was difficult to see the pebble in the crow's mouth.Afterward, it's almost impossible to miss.

To read the complete fable (and more), see:
http://read.gov/aesop/012.html