U.S. Bill Notes from $1 to $100 and Names on Them
$1 Bill
Portrait (Name): George Washington
Description: The $1 note features George Washington, the first U.S. President, on the front (obverse). The portrait is based on a painting by Gilbert Stuart. The back (reverse) displays the Great Seal of the United States, including the pyramid with an eye and the eagle. This design has remained largely unchanged since 1963 when it was first issued as a Federal Reserve Note. The note is primarily green and black with a simple layout, lacking advanced security features found in higher denominations due to its low counterfeiting rate.
$2 Bill
Portrait (Name): Thomas Jefferson
Description: The $2 note showcases Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence, on the front. The reverse features a depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, based on a painting by John Trumbull. The $2 bill is less common in circulation but remains legal tender. Its current design dates back to 1976, with minor updates since then, and it uses a green and red color scheme.
$5 Bill
Portrait (Name): Abraham Lincoln
Description: The $5 note features Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, on the front. The reverse shows the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The current design, updated in 2008, includes security features like a purple "5" watermark and a security thread that glows blue under UV light. The note incorporates purple and gray hues alongside the traditional green.
$10 Bill
Portrait (Name): Alexander Hamilton
Description: The $10 note displays Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary and a key Founding Father, on the front. The reverse features the U.S. Treasury Building. Updated in 2006, this bill includes an orange and yellow color scheme, a security thread that glows orange under UV light, and a watermark of Hamilton’s portrait. Notably, Hamilton is one of only two non-presidents on current U.S. currency (the other being Franklin on the $100).
$20 Bill
Portrait (Name): Andrew Jackson
Description: The $20 note bears the likeness of Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. President, on the front. The reverse depicts the White House. The current design, rolled out in 2003, includes green, peach, and blue colors, a security thread that glows green under UV light, and a watermark of Jackson. This is one of the most commonly circulated denominations.
$50 Bill
Portrait (Name): Ulysses S. Grant
Description: The $50 note features Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. President and a Civil War general, on the front. The reverse shows the U.S. Capitol. Updated in 2004, it incorporates red, blue, and purple tones, a security thread that glows yellow under UV light, and a watermark of Grant’s portrait. The design emphasizes anti-counterfeiting measures.
$100 Bill
Portrait (Name): Benjamin Franklin
Description: The $100 note showcases Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father, inventor, and diplomat, on the front. The reverse features Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The latest design, introduced in 2013 (Series 2009/2009A), includes advanced security features like a blue 3D security ribbon with shifting bells and 100s, a color-shifting bell in an inkwell (copper to green), and a large gold "100" on the back for visually impaired users. The note uses blue, orange, and green colors alongside traditional elements.
Key Notes
Design Evolution: The $1 and $2 bills have older designs with fewer updates, while higher denominations ($5 to $100) have been redesigned since the 1990s to combat counterfeiting, incorporating advanced security features like security threads, watermarks, and color-shifting ink.
Non-Presidents: Alexander Hamilton ($10) and Benjamin Franklin ($100) are the only two figures on current U.S. bills who were not U.S. Presidents.
Size: All modern U.S. bills are uniform in size, measuring approximately 6.14 x 2.61 inches, standardized since 1929.
Legal Tender: All these notes remain legal tender regardless of their series year, though older designs may be less common in circulation.