About Paper Money

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Small-size United States notes

The $1 United States note was issued only in Series 1928. It features a portrait of Washington on the face and is the only small-size $1 note to feature a red seal. The inscription is printed over the seal and states: "This note is legal tender at its face value for all debts public and private except duties on imports and interest on the public debt." The note also advises that "The United States of America will pay to the bearer on demand One Dollar." On the back on the $1 note a large ONE appears with smaller letters stating ONE DOLLAR over the larger ONE.

The $2 note, featuring a portrait of Jefferson on the face and his home, Monticello, on the back, was first printed in the Series 1928 and was discontinued in 1966. Final series year for the $2 United States note was 1963A. Jefferson and Monticello remained on the $2 issues from the beginning to the end, but there were some changes in the inscription and the Treasury seal was relocated starting with the 1953 series. On this and later issues the seal is on the right, while on earlier issues it was on the left.

The first legal tender inscription used on the notes says, "This note is legal tender at its face value for all debts public and private except duties on imports and interest on the public debt." Beginning with the 1953 series the inscription reads, "This note is a legal tender at its face value for all debts public and private," and on the 1963 and 1963A series the inscription advises, "This note is legal tender for all debts public and private." The motto "In God We Trust" was added to the $2 note beginning with the 1963 series, and with this same series the wording "Will pay to the bearer on demand" was removed.

The $5 note went through the same inscription and seal changes as did the $2 note. It features Lincoln on the face and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. The motto was added with the 1963 (final) series. The last delivery of $5 United States notes was in late 1967.

Benjamin Franklin is featured on the face of the $100 United States note and the back features Independence Hall. First issued in Series 1966 (the only note to have that series year), it was the first note to use the newly redesigned Treasury seal. All United States notes have red seals and serial numbers.