2. Characteristics of United
States Paper Currency
Three types or classes of U.S. paper
currency are in use today. The most
numerous--accounting for 99
percent of the total value in
circulation--are Federal Reserve
notes. Most of the remainder are
United States notes and silver
certificates, which are occasionally
seen but are no longer produced.
Donald W. Reid 2011
3. The designation of the
class to which the note
belongs appears on the
upper center of its face.
Each type is identified
by the distinctive color
of its Treasury seal and
serial numbers. On
Federal Reserve notes
these are green, on
United States notes
they are red, and on
silver certificates they
are blue.
serial
numbers
Treasury seal
Donald W. Reid 2011
4. Each denomination, regardless of class, has a
prescribed portrait and back design selected
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Notes of the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and
$10,000 denominations have not been
printed for many years and are being
withdrawn from circulation. The portraits
appearing on these notes are: McKinley on
the $500, Cleveland on the $1,000, Madison
on the $5,000 and Chase on the $10,000.
Donald W. Reid 2011
5. Design Features Which Vary On
Genuine Currency
Signature
Design features sometimes vary from one series
year to another. The most common variance
comes with changes in the identity and,
therefore, the signature of the Secretary of the
Treasury or the Treasurer of the United States.
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6. Jackson Portrait
Another common variation occurs in the portrait
of Andrew Jackson on the $20 note. In the 1934
and 1950 series years, he is depicted with one
more finger showing than on notes of other
series years
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7. Donald W. Reid 2011
Treasury Seal
The 1966 series marked a change in note design. One
hundred dollar United States Notes of that series year
featured a re-designed Treasury seal with an English
inscription replacing the Latin one. The new seal, phased in
over succeeding years, appears on all Federal Reserve Notes
of the 1969 series year or later.
8. Donald W. Reid 2011
Motto
"In God We Trust" was first printed in
1955 on $1 Silver Certificates, 1935G
series year. It was gradually phased in on
other denominations and classes and is
now printed on the back of all U.S. paper
currency of the series year 1963B or
later.
9. Donald W. Reid 2011
Federal Reserve Seal
Prior to Series 1996, each Federal Reserve Note bears a regional seal
at the left of the portrait. This seal, printed in black, bears the name of
the issuing Federal Reserve Bank and the letter designating the Federal
Reserve district in which that bank is located. On notes of the 1950
series and later, the black Federal Reserve regional seal is smaller than
earlier designs and is surrounded by sharp points. Starting with the
1996 series Federal Reserve notes, a new universal seal represents the
entire Federal Reserve system. A letter and number below the upper
left serial number identifies the issuing Federal Reserve Bank.
10. Donald W. Reid 2011
Federal
Reserve Bank Letter Number
Boston A 1
New York City B 2
Philadelphia C 3
Cleveland D 4
Richmond E 5
Atlanta F 6
Chicago G 7
St. Louis H 8
Minneapolis I 9
Kansas City, MO J 10
Dallas K 11
San Francisco L 12
11. Donald W. Reid 2011
Serial Numbers and "Star Notes"
Each note of the same denomination and series
has its own individual serial number. When a note
which bears a serial number is mutilated in the
course of manufacture, it must be replaced in the
series to ensure a proper count of the notes
produced. To print another note with an identical
serial number would be costly and time-
consuming. Consequently, a "star note" is
substituted. This note has a serial number which is
out of sequence with the others in the series. A
star is printed after the number to show that it was
placed in the series as a substitute.
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Check Letter, Face Plate Number,
Quadrant Number, Back Plate
Number
These designations are printed in
specific locations on the note. In the
manufacturing process, the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing uses these
designations to identify the specific
placement of the note on the specific
printing plate.
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How To Detect Counterfeit Money
The public has a role in maintaining the
integrity of U.S. currency. You can help guard
against the threat from counterfeiters by
becoming more familiar with United States
currency.
Look at the money you receive. Compare a
suspect note with a genuine note of the same
denomination and series, paying attention to
the quality of printing and paper
characteristics. Look for differences, not
similarities.
14. Watermark
The 1996 and 2004 style bills have
a watermark that is visible from
either side when held up to a light
source.
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15. Donald W. Reid 2011
Color-Shifting Ink
The 1996 style notes have color-
shifting ink in the lower right-hand
corner, that shifts from green to
black as the note is tilted 45
degrees. The 2004 style $10, $20
and $50 bills have color-shifting ink
that shifts from copper to green as
the note is tilted 45 degrees. The
$5 bill does not have color-shifting
ink.
Copper to green
color-shifting ink
16. Donald W. Reid 2011
Security Thread
Genuine notes have a clear polyester thread
embedded vertically in the paper. The thread is inscribed
with the denomination of the bill, and is visible only when
held up to light. Each denomination has a unique thread
position and will glow a unique color in ultraviolet (UV)
light.
17. Serial Numbers
The first letter of the serial number on bills
corresponds to the series year.
1996 Style 2004 Style
A=1996 D= 2003 E= 2004
B=1999 F= 2003A G = 2004A
C=2001 H= 2006 I= 2006
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18. Donald W. Reid 2011
Portrait
The genuine portrait appears
lifelike and stands out distinctly
from the background. The
counterfeit portrait is usually
lifeless and flat. Details merge into
the background which is often too
dark or mottled.
19. Donald W. Reid 2011
Federal Reserve and Treasury Seals
On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the
Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear,
distinct, and sharp. The counterfeit seals may
have uneven, blunt, or broken saw-tooth
points.
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Border
The fine lines in the border of
a genuine bill are clear and
unbroken. On the counterfeit,
the lines in the outer margin
and scrollwork may be blurred
and indistinct.
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Serial Numbers
Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are
evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the
same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit,
the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink
from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be
uniformly spaced or aligned.
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Paper
Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers
embedded throughout. Often counterfeiters try to simulate
these fibers by printing tiny red and blue lines on their
paper. Close inspection reveals, however, that on the
counterfeit note the lines are printed on the surface, not
embedded in the paper. It is illegal to reproduce the
distinctive paper used in the manufacturing of United
States currency.
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Raised Notes
Genuine paper currency is sometimes altered in
an attempt to increase its face value. One
common method is to glue numerals from higher
denomination notes to the corners of lower
denomination notes.
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These bills are also considered counterfeit, and those who
produce them are subject to the same penalties as other
counterfeiters. If you suspect you are in possession of a raised
note:
•Compare the denomination numerals on each corner with
the denomination written out at the bottom of the note
(front and back) and through the Treasury seal.
•Compare the suspect note to a genuine note of the same
denomination and series year, paying particular attention to
the portrait, vignette and denomination numerals.
25. There are very good counterfeits and
very poor counterfeits, regardless of the
quality most will have more than one
indicator that they are counterfeit. Pay
attention and take a moment when you
handle cash. If you have any doubts
notify a supervisor.
Donald W. Reid 2011
