What is a five dollar bill with red serial numbers and seal 1963 I have 3 5 dollar bills with the serials numbers one off, meaning bill one. I have a two dollar bill with red serial numbers A04599724A on.

• Five Dollar Bills With Gold Inlay
• 1953 Five Dollar Bill With Red Serial Numbers
• Five Dollar Bills With Red Writing
• 5 Dollar Bills With Red Serial Numbers

The United States two-dollar bill ($2) is a current denomination of U.S. currency. The portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States (1801–09), is featured on the obverse of the note. The reverse features an engraving of the painting Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull.

Throughout the $2 bill's pre-1929 life as a large-sized note, it was issued as a United States Note, National Bank Note, silver certificate, Treasury or 'Coin' Note and Federal Reserve Bank Note. When U.S. currency was changed to its current size, the $2 bill was issued only as a United States Note. Production went on until 1966, when the series was discontinued. Ten years passed before the $2 bill was reissued as a Federal Reserve Note with a new reverse design.

As a result of banking policies with businesses which have resulted in low production numbers due to lack of demand, two-dollar bills do not circulate as well as other denominations of U.S. currency. This comparative scarcity in circulation, coupled with a lack of public knowledge that the bill is still in production and circulation, has also inspired urban legends about its authenticity and value and has occasionally created problems for those trying to use the bill to make purchases. The apparent scarcity of the $2 bill, in spite of its production figures, also means that large numbers of the bills are taken out of circulation and collected by people, who may believe the bill to be rarer than it actually is.^[2]

• 3History
  • 3.2Small size notes
  • 3.3Series dates
• 5Usage

Denomination overview[edit]

The denomination of two dollars was authorized under a congressional act, and first issued in March 1862.^[3] The denomination was continuously used until 1966; by this time the United States Note was the only remaining class of U.S. currency the two-dollar bill was assigned to. In August 1966, the Treasury Department discontinued production of the $2 and $5 denominations of United States Notes.^[4] While the $5 denomination had long been issued simultaneously as both a Federal Reserve Note and United States Note, the $2 denomination was not immediately reassigned to the Federal Reserve Note class of United States currency and was thus fully discontinued. the Treasury cited the two-dollar note's low use as the reason for not immediately resuming use of the denomination. In 1976, production of the two-dollar denomination was resumed and the two-dollar bill was finally assigned as a Federal Reserve Note, with a new reverse design featuring John Trumbull's depiction of the drafting of the United States Declaration of Independence replacing the previous design of Monticello. It has remained a current denomination since that time.^[5] It was estimated that if two-dollar notes replaced approximately half of the one-dollar notes in circulation, the federal government would be able to save about $26 million in 1976 dollars ($114 million adjusted for inflation)^[6] over the period from 1976 to 1981, due to reduced production, storage, and shipping costs.^[7]

However, due to their limited use, two-dollar notes are not printed as frequently in a new series as other denominations, which are produced according to demand.^[8] Most bill acceptors found in vending machines, self checkout lanes, transit systems and other automated kiosks are configured to accommodate two-dollar bills, even if the fact is not stated on the label.^[9] Although they are generally available at most banks, two-dollar notes are usually not handed out except upon specific request by the customer, and may cause a delay with a trip to the vault.^[10]

Rarity[edit]

Printing $2 bills is twice as cost-effective for the government as printing $1 bills, since they both cost the same amount (around five cents) to manufacture, but the public has not circulated them as widely. During the Great Depression, few Americans had enough money to require $2 bills. In the middle of the 20th century, $2 bills were often used for betting on horse racing, tips at strip clubs and for bribery when politicians wanted votes (though this is most likely urban legend), and so acquired a negative reputation. Servicemen during World War II and later, were frequently paid with $2 bills, and the notes often saw use at canteens, post exchanges, USO clubs and commissaries. ^[11] Many people erroneously believe that the 1976 series note with its unusual reverse design was a special, limited issue, produced for the United States Bicentennial; this, combined with the earlier discontinuation of the denomination, gave the impression these notes might be valuable as collector's items, and contributed to hoarding. Today, the general public is still largely unfamiliar with the notes because they are not widely circulated and continue to be frequently hoarded.^[12] There remains a common misconception that the $2 bill is no longer being produced,^[13] though bills have been printed with series dates of 1976, 1995, 2003, 2003A, 2009, and 2013. A series changes when there is a redesign of the bill or changes in signatory; Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States. The U.S. treasury reports that $1,549,052,714 worth of $2 bills were in circulation worldwide as of April 30, 2007.^[13]

Things such as unusual serial numbers (example: A11111111A), and replacement notes designated by a star in the serial number can raise the collector value. 'Collectible' or 'enhanced' two-dollar bills, commemorating America's national parks and other places, people and events, have been made and sold by coin dealers and others in recent years merely by adding color, special graphics or color printed plastic overlays onto regular issue two-dollar bills by using computer printers. The creators and marketers of many of these bills unscrupulously imply that they are authorized or issued by the federal government; however, no 'collectible' or 'enhanced' two-dollar bills have been authorized by the United States Treasury, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) nor any other government agency and have no value above their $2 face on the collectors' market.^[14]

Certain conventions and tourism/convention bureaus capitalize on the scarcity of $2 bills in circulation, encouraging convention attendees and tourists to spend $2 bills in order to illustrate to the host communities the economic impact that the conventions and tourism bring. Sometimes known as 'SpendTom' campaigns, the $2 bills linger in the community as a constant reminder. Some campaigns encourage people to participate in a hunt for the bills in order to win prizes.^[15]

History[edit]

Large-sized notes[edit]

(approximately 7.4218 × 3.125 in ≅ 189 × 79 mm)

In March 1862, the first $2 bill was issued as a Legal Tender Note (United States Note) with a portrait of Alexander Hamilton; the portrait of Hamilton used was a profile view, different from the familiar portrait in use on the small-sized $10 bill since 1928.

By 1869, the $2 United States Note was redesigned with the now-familiar portrait of Thomas Jefferson to the left and a vignette of the United States Capitol in the center of the obverse. This note also featured green tinting on the top and left side of the obverse. Although this note is technically a United States Note, TREASURY NOTE appeared on it instead of UNITED STATES NOTE. The reverse was completely redesigned. This series was again revised in 1874; changes on the obverse included removing the green tinting, adding a red floral design around WASHINGTON D.C., and changing the term TREASURY NOTE to UNITED STATES NOTE. The 1874 design was also issued as Series of 1875 and 1878, and by 1880, the red floral design around WASHINGTON D.C. on the United States Note was removed and the serial numbers were changed to blue. This note with the red floral design was also issued as Series of 1917 but with red serial numbers by that time.^[16]

National Bank Notes were issued in 1875 and feature a woman unfurling a flag and a large sideways '2' ('Lazy Duce') on the obverse. The reverse has the king of England smoking tobacco and an eagle with a shield.^[17]

In 1886, the first $2 silver certificate with a portrait of United States Civil War General Winfield Scott Hancock on the left of the obverse was issued. This design continued until 1891 when a new $2 Silver Certificate was issued with a portrait of U.S. Treasury Secretary William Windom in the center of the obverse.^[18]

Two-dollar Treasury, or 'Coin', Notes were first issued for government purchases of silver bullion in 1890 from the silver mining industry. The reverse featured large wording of TWO in the center and a numeral 2 to the right surrounded by an ornate design that occupied almost the entire note. In 1891, the reverse of the Series of 1890 Treasury Note was redesigned because the treasury felt that it was too 'busy', making it too easy to counterfeit. More open space was incorporated into the new design.^[19]

In 1896, the 'Educational Series' Silver Certificate was issued. The entire obverse of the note was covered in artwork with an allegorical figure of science presenting steam and electricity to commerce and manufacture. The reverse of the note featured portraits of Robert Fulton and Samuel F. B. Morse surrounded by an ornate design that occupied almost the entire note.By 1899, however, The $2 Silver Certificate was redesigned with a small portrait of George Washington surrounded by allegorical figures representing agriculture and mechanics.^[20]

Large-sized Federal Reserve Bank Notes were issued in 1918. Each note was an obligation of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank and could only be redeemed at the corresponding bank. The obverse of the note featured a borderless portrait of Thomas Jefferson to left and wording in the entire center. The reverse featured a World War Ibattleship.^[21]

Beginning in the 1950s, production of $2 bills began to decrease. The relative scarcity of the notes led some to start saving any they received, with the inevitable result that the bills became less common in circulation. Currently, the circulation of $2 bills accounts for around 1% of the U.S. currency in circulation.

Small size notes[edit]

(6.14 × 2.61 in ≅ 156 × 66 mm)

1928–1966[edit]

In 1928, when all U.S. currency was changed to its current size, the $2 bill was issued only as a United States Note. The obverse featured a cropped version of Thomas Jefferson's portrait that had been on previous $2 bills. The reverse featured Jefferson's home, Monticello. As with all United States Notes the treasury seal and serial numbers were red. The Series of 1928 $2 bill featured the treasury seal superimposed by the United States Note obligation to the left and a large gray TWO to the right.^[22]

In 1953, the $2 bill along with the $5 United States Note received minor design changes. The treasury seal was made smaller and moved to the right side of the bill; it was superimposed over the gray word TWO. The United States Note obligation now became superimposed over a gray numeral 2. The reverse remained unchanged.^[23]

The final change to $2 United States Notes came in 1963 when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse over the Monticello.^[24]Further, because silver certificates were soon to be no longer redeemable in silver, WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND was removed from the obverse. In August 1966, the $2 and $5 denominations of United States Notes were officially discontinued, though they both remain legal tender.

1976–Current[edit]

On November 3 1975, Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon announced the reissuance of the $2 note as a cost-saving measure; The new $2 notes would be available from banks on April 13 1976, Thomas Jefferson's birthday.^[25] Series 1976 $2 bills were redesigned as a Federal Reserve Note. The note retains the same portrait of Jefferson, and the basic design of the obverse remains unchanged since 1928. The treasury seal and serial numbers are printed in green ink, replacing the red used on the previous United States Note. Since the reintroduction of the note coincided with the United States Bicentennial, it was decided to use a bicentennial-themed design on the reverse. Contrary to wide belief, the bill was not issued specifically to celebrate the bicenntenial. An engraved rendition (not an exact reproduction) of John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence replaced Monticello on the reverse. First-day issues of the new $2 bills could be taken to a post office and stamped with the date 'APR 13 1976'. In all, 590,720,000 notes from Series 1976 were printed.

Currently, stamped series 1976 $2 notes typically trade for about twice their face value. If the bills were stamped in a city with an unusual name, the value may be slightly higher. However, no first-day-issued 1976 $2 bills with postage stamps are especially rare or valuable.

Despite their age, crisp, uncirculated series 1976 $2 notes are not uncommon and are not particularly valuable. More than half a billion series 1976 $2 notes were printed and a very large number were saved and hoarded upon their original issue. A typical, single uncirculated 1976 $2 bill is worth only slightly above $2 face value. An average circulated series 1976 note has no additional value above its $2 face.

In 1996 and 1997, 153,600,000 bills were printed^[26] as Series 1995 for the Federal Reserve District of Atlanta. Beginning with Series 1995, all $2 notes have been produced at the B.E P. Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2004, 121,600,000 of the Series 2003 bills were printed for the Federal Reserve District of Minneapolis. An issue of Series 2003A $2 bills was printed from July to September 2006 for all twelve Federal Reserve Banks. In all, 220,800,000 notes were printed.^[27]

In February 2012, the B.E.P. printed 512,000 Series 2009 $2 Star Notes, in anticipation of more regular runs being printed later in 2012. Series 2009 $2 bills were issued to banks during the summer of 2012.^[28][29]

In November 2013, the B.E.P. began printing series 2013 $2 notes for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; these notes entered circulation in early 2014. A total of 44,800,000 notes were ordered for fiscal year 2014, which ran from October 2013 through September 2014.^[30]

Series dates[edit]

Large size[edit]

Small size[edit]

^α These are sourced by The Official Red Book (Whitman).^[34]

Visual snapshot[edit]

A chronological display of the American two-dollar bill.

Usage[edit]

Over five million $2 bills are entered into the database of the American currency-tracking website Where's George?.^[35] Because $2 bills are uncommon in daily use, their use can make a particular group of spenders visible. A documented case of using two-dollar bills to send a message to a community is the case of Geneva Steel and the communities in the surrounding Utah County. In 1989, Geneva Steel paid its employee bonuses in $2 bills. When the bills began to appear in different places, people recognized the importance of the company to the local economy.^[36]

Use of the two-dollar bill is also being suggested by some gun rights activists to show support for Second Amendment rights, particularly at stores that allow open carry or concealed carry of weapons on their premises.^[37] Two-dollar notes have also seen increased usage in situations where tipping is encouraged, especially in gentlemen's clubs. This is due to the idea that tips will increase because of the ease of use of a single, higher-denomination bill as the lowest common note in use.^[38]

The use of the two-dollar bill is popular among fans and alumni of Clemson University, who often bring notes with them when traveling to university athletic events in other localities as a demonstration of their economic impact in an area. The idea was first popularized in 1977 when Georgia Tech had threatened no longer to play the Tigers in football and has since caught on as a token of fandom when traveling to other locations. Fans will often stamp an orange tiger paw (Clemson's logo) on the note as a sign of its origin.^[39]

During the 1930s, the $2 bill was often used at East Coast horse race tracks to make a bet. Because of the German and Jewish influence, the bill was locally known in parts of New Jersey as a 'zwei-buck', and the upper right corner '2' was sometimes torn off to increase the luck.^{[citation needed]}

In recent years, some individuals have become 'ambassadors' for the two-dollar bill in an effort to popularise its use in everyday transactions by using them as often as possible, adding large numbers of the notes into circulation in the process.^[40]

In the town of Valentine, Nebraska, the local grocery store, Henderson's IGA, stocks their tills with $2 bills and hand them out as change. It's a free marketing ploy, as the rarity of it causes people to talk about the store.

Incidents[edit]

The relative scarcity of the $2 bill in everyday circulation has led to confusion at points of sale, as well as overreaction by merchants and attempted prosecution of the individual trying to tender the bill.

In 2005, a man in Baltimore, Maryland, was jailed for attempting to use $2 bills to pay a car stereo installation fee that Best Buy originally agreed to waive in the first place.^[41]

In 2016, a 13-year-old girl in Texas was detained by police at Fort Bend Independent School District's Christa McAuliffe Middle School and prevented from eating lunch that day for attempting to use an old $2 bill to pay for her lunch in the school cafeteria. The bill, a red seal Series 1953, was old enough that the school's counterfeit pen would not work on it,^[42] as the chemical properties of United States currency prior to 1960 are such that a counterfeit pen is unable to prove whether or not it is genuine.^[43]

Uncut currency sheets[edit]

Uncut currency sheets are available from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Some of the recent $2 uncut sheets from Series 1995 and Series 2003 have been collectibles as they come from special non-circulation printings. Most of the Series 1995 $2 uncut sheets had a higher suffix letter in the serial number than regular circulation $2 bills. Uncut $2 sheets from Series 2003 were printed for the Boston (A), New York (B), Atlanta (F), Chicago (G), Minneapolis (I), and Dallas (K) Federal Reserve districts despite the fact that notes from the Minneapolis district were the only ones released for circulation. Uncut sheets of Series 2003A have also been produced, although in this case circulating currency for all districts has also been made. All two-dollar bills beginning with Series 1995 have been printed in the BEP facility in Fort Worth, Texas, (indicated by 'FW' preceding the face plate number on the obverse of the note).^[27][44][45]

Uncut sheets of $2 bills are available in various sizes. A 32-subject sheet, which is the original-size sheet on which the notes are printed, is available. Other sheet sizes available have been cut from the original 32-subject sheet. These include half (sixteen-note), quarter (eight-note), and eighth (four-note) sheets for $2 bills. Uncut sheets are sold for more than their respective face values.^[46]Uncut sheets of large size notes (issued before 1928) also exist, but are extremely rare.^[47]

References[edit]

1. ^U.S. Currency Education Program. 'Weight of a US Banknote'. uscurrency.gov. US Federal Reserve. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
2. ^Paulas, Rick. 'The Mystery of $2 Bills'. Pacific Standard. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
3. ^'Legal Tender Alexander Hamilton: 1862 $2 Currency'. The Kennedy Mint. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
4. ^'Six Kinds of United States Paper Currency'. friesian.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
5. ^'About Paper Money - Small-size Bicentennial $2 notes'. Coinworld.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.Cite uses deprecated parameter |dead-url= (help)
6. ^Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. 'Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–'. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
7. ^Stone, Suzanne J. (March–April 1976). 'The $2 Bill Returns'(PDF). The Economic Review. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. 62 (2). Retrieved December 21, 2014.
8. ^'$2.00 still printed?'. Ustreas.gov. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2010.Cite uses deprecated parameter |deadurl= (help)
9. ^'$2 accepting vending machines'. 4mega-vending.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2011.Cite uses deprecated parameter |dead-url= (help)
10. ^'Use The $2'. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
11. ^Why $2 bills are thought to be bad luck - clip from The Two Dollar Bill Documentary
12. ^Why are there so few $2 bills?
13. ^ ^ab'FAQs: Denominations of currency'. United States Department of the Treasury. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
14. ^bbbconsumeralert (January 27, 2010). 'Sometimes a $2 Bill is Just a $2 Bill'. Tucson Citizen.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
15. ^'Spend Tom 2010'. Visit California. January 1, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
16. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. pp. 88–90. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
17. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 91. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
18. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. pp. 91–92. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
19. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. pp. 95–96. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
20. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. pp. 93–94. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
21. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. pp. 96–97. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
22. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 97. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
23. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 98. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
24. ^Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 99. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
25. ^Stone, Suzanne J. (March–April 1976). 'The $2 Bill Returns'. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
26. ^Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 'Annual Production Figures'. Archived from the original on March 4, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
27. ^ ^ab'Series 2003A $2'. USpapermoney.info. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
28. ^'Series 2009 $2'. USpapermoney.info. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
29. ^'2012 BEP Production Info via FOIA'. WheresGeorge.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
30. ^'Series 2013 $2'. USpapermoney.info. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
31. ^'1869 $2 Legal Tender Rainbow Note'. usrarecurrency.com. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
32. ^Kathy Lawrence (May 19, 2011). ''Lazy Deuces' — $2 National Bank Notes'. currency.ha.com. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
33. ^Fred Reed (July 29, 2009). 'Battleship Note Projects American Naval Strength'. numismaster.com. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
34. ^Arthur L. & Ira S. Friedberg (2014). A guide Book of United States Paper Money 4th Edition. Whitman. pp. 56–68.
35. ^http://www.wheresgeorge.com/wrapper.php?page=denom
36. ^Tad Walch (May 17, 2003). 'Geneva workers give their $2 worth'. Deseret News. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
37. ^'2A supporters start Buycott to battle the Starbucks Anti-Firearm Boycott'. Military Times. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
38. ^'$2 bill increasing in use and shedding its 'play-money' image'. USA Today. November 7, 2006. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
39. ^'Clemson University Traditions'. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
40. ^Moore, Chadwick. 'Two Dollar Bill Is Oddity, but Some Love the Tender'. The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
41. ^Olesker, Michael (March 8, 2005). 'A tale of customer service, justice and currency as funny as a $2 bill'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
42. ^'Lunchroom Lunacy: ISD cops investigate $2 bill spent on school lunch'. abc13.com. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
43. ^'Old Paper Money and Counterfeit-Detecting Pens'. The E-Sylum. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
44. ^'Series 1995 $2'. USpapermoney.info. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
45. ^'Series 2003 $2'. USpapermoney.info. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
46. ^'BEP to Raise Uncut Currency Sheet Prices'. coinnews.net. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
47. ^'Large Size. 1896. Silver Certificates. Bound Presentation Set of the First Educational Uncut Sheets. $1, $2, and $5. Fr-224, 247, and 268. PMG Photo Proof Certificates'. stacksbowers.com. Retrieved July 21, 2012.

General

• Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money, 17th edition published by Krause Publications
• Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, David L. (INT) Ganz (2005). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 432. ISBN0-7948-1786-6. Retrieved February 9, 2011.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)

External links[edit]

• USAToday: '$2 bill increasing in use and shedding its 'play-money' image' 2006-11-06.

The United States five-dollar bill ($5) is a denomination of United States currency. The current $5 bill features the 16th U.S. President (1861-65), Abraham Lincoln's portrait on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. All $5 bills issued today are Federal Reserve Notes.

The $5 bill is sometimes nicknamed a 'fin'. The term has German/Yiddish roots and is remotely related to the English 'five', but it is far less common today than it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing says the average life of a $5 bill in circulation is 5.5 years before it is replaced due to wear.^[2] Approximately 6% of all paper currency produced by the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 2009 were $5 bills.^[3]

• 1Current design

Current design[edit]

The redesigned $5 bill was unveiled on September 20, 2007, and was issued on March 13, 2008 during a ceremony at President Lincoln's Cottage.

Security Features[edit]

New and enhanced security features make it easier to check the new $5 bill and more difficult for potential counterfeiters to reproduce. The redesigned $5 bill has:

• Watermarks: There are now two watermarks. A large numeral '5' watermark is located in a blank space to the right of the portrait, replacing the watermark portrait of President Lincoln found on previous bills. A second watermark — a new column of three smaller '5's — has been added and is positioned to the left of the portrait.
• Security thread: The embedded security thread runs vertically and is now located to the right of the portrait. The letters 'USA' followed by the number '5' in an alternating pattern are visible along the thread from both sides of the bill. The thread glows blue when held under ultraviolet light (blacklight).^[5]
• Microprinting: The redesigned $5 bill features microprinting, which is the engraving of tiny text, on the front of the bill in three areas: the words 'FIVE DOLLARS' can be found repeated inside the left and right borders of the bill; the words 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' appear at the top of the shield within the Great Seal; and the word 'USA' is repeated in between the columns of the shield. On the back of the bill the words 'USA FIVE' appear along one edge of the large purple '5'. Because they are so small, these microprinted words are hard to replicate.
• Red and Blue Threads: Some small red and blue threads are embedded into the paper to reveal if a higher denomination counterfeit bill has been printed on the bleached paper of a genuine lower denomination bill.

• Infrared Ink: The back of the five-dollar bill features sections of the bill that are blanked out when viewed in the infrared spectrum. This is consistent with other high-value US bills ($5 and up), which all feature patterns of infrared-visible stripes unique to the given denomination. Bills of other world currencies, such as the Euro, also feature unique patterns visible only when viewed in this spectrum.
• Anti-Photocopy Circle Pattern: Small yellow '05's are printed to the left of the portrait on the front of the bill and to the right of the Lincoln Memorial vignette on the back. The zeros in the '05's form a 'EURion constellation' to prevent photocopying of the bill. Photocopy machines detect the particular pattern of yellow circles and refuse to make a copy. Some machines make a record of the illegal photocopy attempt, which a repair technician may report to law enforcement.

The five dollar bill lacks the optically variable ink of higher denomination US bills.

Design features[edit]

The new $5 bills remain the same size and use the same—but enhanced—portraits and historical images. The most noticeable difference is the light-purple coloring of the center of the bill, which blends into gray near the edges.

Similar to the recently redesigned $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, the new $5 bill features an American symbol of freedom printed in the background: The Great Seal of the United States, featuring an eagle and shield, is printed in purple to the right of the portrait and an arc of purple stars surround both it and the portrait.

When the Lincoln Memorial was constructed the names of 48 states were engraved on it. The picture of the Lincoln Memorial on the $5 bill only contains the names of 26 states. These are the 26 states that can be seen on the front side of the Lincoln memorial which is what is pictured on the $5 bill.

On the back of the bill, a larger, purple numeral '5' appears in the lower right corner to help those with visual impairments to distinguish the denomination. This large '5' also includes the words 'USA FIVE' in tiny white letters.

The oval borders around President Lincoln's portrait on the front, and the Lincoln Memorial vignette on the back have been removed. Both engravings have been enhanced.

Redesign[edit]

On April 20, 2016, Treasury SecretaryJacob Lew announced that the $5, $10, and $20 would all undergo redesign prior to 2020. The changes would add new features to combat counterfeiting and make them easier for blind citizens to distinguish. Lew said that while Lincoln would remain on the obverse, the reverse would be redesigned to depict various historical events that had occurred at the Lincoln Memorial. Among the planned designs are images from the Martin Luther King, Jr.I Have a Dream speech and the 1939 concert by opera singer Marian Anderson.^[6]

Large size note history[edit]

Five Dollar Bills With Gold Inlay

(approximately 7.4218 × 3.125 in ≅ 189 × 79 mm)

• 1861: The first $5 bill was issued as a Demand Note with a small portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the right and an allegorical statue representing freedom on the left side of the obverse.
• 1862: The first $5 United States Note was issued with a face design similar to the previous Demand Note and a completely revised reverse.
• 1869: A new $5 United States Note was issued with a small portrait of Andrew Jackson on the left and a vignette of a pioneer family in the middle.
• 1870: National Gold Bank Notes were issued specifically for payment in gold coin by participating banks. The obverse featured vignettes of Christopher Columbus sighting land and Columbus with an Indian Princess; the reverse featured US gold coins.
• 1875: The series 1869 United States Note was revised. The green tinting that was present on the obverse was removed and the design on the reverse was completely changed.
• 1886: The first $5 silver certificate was issued with a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the obverse and five Morgan silver dollars on the reverse.
• 1890: Five-dollar Treasury or 'Coin Notes' were issued and given for government purchases of silver bullion from the silver mining industry. The reverse featured an ornate design that occupied almost the entire note.
• 1891: The reverse of the 1890 Treasury Note was redesigned because the treasury felt that it was too 'busy' which would make it too easy to counterfeit.
• 1891: The reverse of the 1886 Silver Certificate was revised; the 5 Morgan silver dollars were removed.
• 1896: The famous 'Educational Series' Silver Certificate was issued. The entire obverse was covered with artwork representing electricity and the reverse featured portraits of Ulysses Grant and Phillip Sheridan.
• 1899: A new $5 silver certificate with a portrait of Running Antelope on the face was issued.
• 1914: The first $5 Federal Reserve Note was issued with a portrait of Lincoln on the obverse and vignettes of Columbus sighting land and the Pilgrims' landing on the reverse. The note initially had a red treasury seal and serial numbers; however, they were changed to blue.
• 1915: Federal Reserve Bank Notes (not to be confused with Federal Reserve Notes) were issued by 5 Federal Reserve Banks. The obverse was similar to the 1914 Federal Reserve Notes, except for large wording in the middle of the bill and a portrait with no border on the left side of the bill. Each note was an obligation of the issuing bank and could only be redeemed at the corresponding bank.
• 1918: The 1915 Federal Reserve Bank Note was re-issued under series 1918 by 11 Federal Reserve banks.
• 1923: The $5 silver certificate was redesigned; it was nicknamed a 'porthole' note due to the circular wording of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around Lincoln's portrait. The reverse featured the Great Seal of the United States.

Small size note history[edit]

(6.14 × 2.61 in ≅ 156 × 66 mm)

• 1929: Under the Series of 1928, all small-sized notes carried a standardized design. All $5 bills would feature a portrait of Lincoln, the same border design on the obverse, and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. The $5 bill was issued as a United States Note with a red seal and serial numbers and as a Federal Reserve Note with a green seal and serial numbers.
• 1933: As an emergency response to the Great Depression, additional money was pumped into the American economy through Federal Reserve Bank Notes. This was the only small-sized $5 bill that had a different border design. The serial numbers and seal on it were brown
• 1934: The redeemable in gold clause was removed from Federal Reserve Notes due to the U.S. withdrawing from the gold standard.
• 1934: The first $5 silver certificates were issued with a blue seal and serial numbers along with a blue numeral 5 on the left side of the obverse.
• 1942: Special World War IIcurrency was issued.HAWAII was overprinted on the front and back of the $5 Federal Reserve Note; the serial numbers, and seal, were changed to brown from green. This was done so that the currency could be declared worthless if there was a Japanese invasion. A $5 silver certificate was printed with a yellow instead of blue treasury seal; these notes were for U.S. troops in North Africa. These notes, too, could be declared worthless if seized by the enemy.
• 1950: Many minor aspects on the obverse of the $5 Federal Reserve Note were changed. Most noticeably, the treasury seal, gray word FIVE, and the Federal Reserve Seal were made smaller; also, the Federal Reserve seal had spikes added around it, like the Treasury seal.
• 1953: New $5 United States Notes and Silver Certificates were issued with a gray numeral 5 on the left side of the bill and the gray word FIVE with a blue seal imprinted over it on the right and blue serial numbers.
• 1963: Both the $5 United States Note and Federal Reserve Note were revised with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST added to the reverse and WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND removed from the obverse. Also, the obligation on the Federal Reserve Note was shortened to its current wording, THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. Also during this time, production of Silver Certificates end, including the $5.
• 1967: Production of the $5 United States Note ends.
• 1969: The $5 bill began using the new treasury seal with wording in English instead of Latin.
• 1992: The first notes at the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas begin printing in July, during production of Series 1988A.
• 1994: The first new-age anti-counterfeiting measures were introduced with microscopic printing around Lincoln's portrait and a plastic security strip on the left side of the bill. Even though the series date was Series 1993, they weren't printed until November 1994.^[7]
• May 24, 2000: To combat evolving counterfeiting, a new $5 bill was issued under series 1999 whose design was similar in style to the $100, $50, $20, and $10 bills that had all undergone previous design changes. The $5 bill, however, does not feature color-shifting ink like all the other denominations. The first bills were printed in December 1999.^[8]
• June 28, 2006: The BEP announced plans to redesign the $5 note, likely with similar features as newer $10, $20, and $50 notes.
• September 20, 2007: The BEP revealed the redesigned $5 note to the public.
• October 2007: The first redesigned $5 notes are printed.^[9]
• March 13, 2008: The redesigned $5 note enters circulation.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^U.S. Currency Education Program. 'Weight of a US Banknote'. uscurrency.gov. US Federal Reserve. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
2. ^'The Fed - FAQs'.
3. ^'Money Facts'. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Archived from the original on 2005-12-06.Cite uses deprecated parameter |deadurl= (help)
4. ^Fred L. Reed III. 'New $5 Image Likely to Be Iconic'. NumiMaster. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
5. ^'uscurrency.gov.gov - The Redesigned $5 Note'. US Currency Education Program.
6. ^'Anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman to replace Jackson on $20 bill'.
7. ^'USPaperMoney.Info: Series 1993 $5'. www.uspapermoney.info.
8. ^'USPaperMoney.Info: Series 1999 $5'. www.uspapermoney.info.
9. ^'USPaperMoney.Info: Series 2006 $5'. www.uspapermoney.info.

1953 Five Dollar Bill With Red Serial Numbers

• Wilhite, Robert (1998). Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money (17th ed). Krause Pubns Inc. ISBN0-87341-653-8.
• Hudgeons, Thomas (2005). The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2006, Edition #38. House of Collectibles. ISBN1-4000-4845-1.
• Friedberg, Arthur; Ira Friedberg; David Bowers (2005). A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book). Whitman Publishing. ISBN0-7948-1786-6.

Five Dollar Bills With Red Writing

External links[edit]

• Interactive graphic from Portfolio.com. Shows the design features and history of the $5 bill. Also, compares security features to that of the Euro.

5 Dollar Bills With Red Serial Numbers