The seven notes of dollar in circulation depict five former US presidents: George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) and Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) ).
The other two honorees are Alexander Hamilton (1755 or 1757-1804), first US Secretary of the Treasury, appointed by Washington in 1789, and Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an important American Enlightenment intellectual, who played an essential role in the country’s independence.
Presidents only appeared on banknotes in the 20th century. Before, illustrations were of Native Americans or figures from Greek mythology.
It is likely that the word «dollar” originated from “taler”, money minted in Bohemia and pronounced as “dollar” in the Dutch colonies in America.
DOLLAR
Creation 1785
No. of ballots 7
Bills in circulation 39.8 billion (December/2016)
countries that use 9
– (reproduction/publicity/)
$1
Color Green
Portrait George Washington, the country’s first president (1789-1797). He participated in the convention that drafted the Constitution and was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the War of Independence.
Icon Great Seal of the United States, official symbol equivalent to the coat of arms.
$2
Color gray-green
Portrait Thomas Jefferson, third president (1801-1809) and one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence.
Icon Declaration of Independence (1826), painting by John Trumbull.
The $2 bills are printed in smaller numbers and therefore are rarely found.
$5
Color purple-gray
Portrait Abraham Lincoln, 16th President (1861-1865). He led the North during the Civil War, abolished slavery and modernized the economy.
Icon Lincoln Memorial, monument located in Washington DC, inaugurated in 1922, with architecture that emulates a Greek temple.
$10
Color Orange, yellow and red
Portrait Alexander Hamilton, first US Secretary of the Treasury. He actively participated in the creation of what would become the country’s central bank.
Icon United States Department of the Treasury. Created in 1789, it is responsible for collecting fees, printing banknotes and minting coins.
$20
Color green and orange
Portrait Andrew Jackson, seventh president (1829-1837). He founded the Democratic Party and extended the rights of the common citizen.
Icon White House, US President’s residence and workplace since 1800.
$50
Color Green, blue and red
Portrait Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President (1869-1877). He helped rebuild the South after the Civil War, persecuted the Ku Klux Klan, and expanded civil rights.
Icon Capitol in Washington. It is the seat of Congress, opened in 1800 (but the large dome was only added in 1855).
SAFETY AND DESIGN ELEMENTS
$100
1) Portrait: Benjamin Franklin, one of the «founding fathers» of the USA. Theorist, scientist, inventor, diplomat and human rights activist. (It is because of this portrayal that “Benjamin” is used as slang for money in the US.)
2) Serial number: Ten letters and numbers. Appears twice on the front of the banknote.
3) Safety wire: Revealed in backlight. Along it, the letters “USA” and the numeral 100 are read repeatedly. Under ultraviolet light, it acquires a pink color.
4) Federal Reserve Seal: Printed in black, always to the left of the portrait. The Fed, as it is known, is the central bank of the United States.
5) Microprints: A magnifying glass reveals the text “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on Franklin’s jacket collar; “USA 100” around the watermark; and “ONE HUNDRED USA” around the golden feather. There are also small “100” on the edge.
6) Three-dimensional holographic band: When the note is moved, images of bells and the numeral 100 alternate.
7) Seal of the Treasury Department: Consisting of a scale (Justice), a beam with 13 stars (the original 13 English colonies) and a key (Authority).
8) Special ink that changes color: From copper to green.
9) Watermark: Against the light, another portrait of Benjamin Franklin appears. Visible on both sides of the banknote.
10) Back icon: Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia. Here, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed.
11) Embossed printing: It gives a characteristic texture, prevents fakes and helps the visually impaired.
12) Identification for people with partial vision: Numbers were printed in large size.
SOURCES US Currency and Federal Reserve