U.S. banknotes are more than just currency – they're a fascinating blend of art, history and security. From the portraits on the front to the hidden symbols, each bill tells the unique story of our American heritage.
Join us as we uncover some incredible facts about paper money in the United States.
1. Paper Money on the Continent Predates the Country
2. The First Federal Government Printing of Paper Money Started in 1861
3. The First Treasury Bills Were Worth Less Than a Dollar
4. The Constitution Only Allows Coins
5. Banks Used to Print Money
6. Some 8,000 Different Institutions Once Made Notes
7. U.S. Currency Does Not Expire
8. There Once Was a $10,000 Note
9. Now $100 Bills Are the Largest Denomination
10. Hawaii Got Its Own Notes During World War II
11. $1.571 Billion in Bills Currently Circulates
12. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing Makes 38 Million Notes Each Day
13. A Pound of U.S. Notes Contains 490 Bills
14. U.S. Bills Are 2.61 Inches Wide
15. From 1996 to 2000, U.S. Currency Was Redesigned
16. From 2003 to 2008, U.S. Notes Were Again Redesigned
17. The New Bills Look Larger
18. Most Bills Have Security Threads
19. The New $100 Bill Has a 3D Blue Ribbon
20. The $1 Bill Accounts for 45 Percent of All Currency Production
21. Every Note Has a Unique Serial Number
22. Even Torn in Half, a Bill Is Still Legal Tender
23. Paper Money Isn’t Paper
24. Crane Currency Produces the Bill Material
25. U.S. Notes Are Durable
26. You Only See Dead People
27. It’s Green On the Back
28. The Lifespan of a $100 Bill Is…
29. The Lifespan of a $1 Bill Is…
30. And the Lifespan of a $10 Bill Is…
31. Bills Are No Match For Coins in Terms of Longevity
32. About 30,000 Claims About Damaged Currency Are Processed Annually
33. Notes Removed From Circulation Are Shredded
34. Your $1 Bill Probably Is Contaminated
35. Andrew Jackson Didn’t Believe in Paper Money
36. Andrew Jackson’s $20 Is Changing
