Both Spinner and Clark decided to have their portrait depicted on currency, which created controversy. Republican Representative Martin R. Thayer of Pennsylvania was an outspoken critic, suggesting that the Treasury's privilege of portrait selection for currency was being abused. On 7 April 1866, led by Thayer, Congress enacted legislation specifically stating "that no portrait or likeness of any living person hereafter engraved, shall be placed upon any of the bonds, securities, notes, fractional or postal currency of the United States."
The inclusion of Spinner and Clark's portraits on currency led to controversy, prompting criticism from Representative Martin R. Thayer of Pennsylvania who argued that the Treasury Department was abusing its power in selecting portrait subjects for currency.  This resulted in Congress enacting legislation prohibiting any living person's portrait or likeness from appearing on U.S. government-issued currency.