When will the next currency redesign be unveiled and issued?
The unveiling of a new $20 note entered circulation on October 9, 2003. New designs for the $50 and $100 note will follow 12 – 18 months later . For more information about the new currency designs, please click here.

Will there be a recall or devaluation of the older-series notes?
There will be no recall or devaluation of the older-series notes, which will be removed from circulation as they wear out. Older worn notes will be replaced with the new bills.

What's the largest sheet of uncut currency I can buy?
The 32-note sheet of uncut currency is the largest size available. The largest denomination sheets that are available are the 16-note $20 sheets. We also sell $1, $2 and $5 denomination sheets.

What is the weight of a currency note?
The approximate weight of a currency note, regardless of denomination is (1) one gram. There are 454 grams in one (1) U.S. pound, therfore, there should be 454 notes in (1) one pound(Avoirdupois system). If the troy system were used, there are (12) twelve ounces in (1) one pound; therefore, if one note weighs approximately (1) one gram, then (1) troy pound contains approximately 375 notes.

What is the size of a currency note?
Our present sized currency measures 2.61 inches wide by 6.14 inches long, and the thickness is .0043 inches. Larger sized notes in circulation before 1919 measured 3.125 inches by 7.4218 inches.

What was the highest denomination note ever printed?
The largest note ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed from December 18, 1934 through January 9, 1935 and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. The notes were used for transactions between FRBs and were not circulated among the general public.

Why were certain individuals chosen to be pictured on our paper currency?
The Secretary of the Treasury selects the designs shown on United States currency and coinage. Unless specified by an Act of Congress, the Secretary generally has the final approval. This is done with the advice of Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) officials for currency or the United States Mint officials for coins. In addition, the Commission on Fine Arts reviews all of the designs.

The law prohibits portraits of living persons from appearing on Government Securities. Therefore, the portraits on our currency notes and coins are of deceased persons whose places in history the American people know well. The designs shown on our coins have changed at different times for different denominations.

The basic face and back designs of all denominations of our paper currency in circulation today were selected in 1928. A committee appointed to study such matters made those choices. The only exception is the reverse design of the one-dollar bill. Unfortunately, however, our records do not suggest why certain Presidents and statesmen were chosen for specific denominations.
List of Individuals and Images on Currency

I have some currency that was damaged. My bank will not exchange it for undamaged currency. What can I do?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing's (BEP) Office of Currency Standards processes all requests for reimbursement for damaged United States currency. They decide the redemption value of torn or otherwise unfit currency by measuring the portions of the notes submitted. Generally, they reimburse the full face value if clearly more than one-half of the original note remains. Currency fragments measuring less than one-half are not redeemable. For additional information and the procedures to redeem mutilated currency, click here

I have a $1,000 currency note from the Bank of the United States. It is dated December 15, 1840 and has the serial number "8894." Can you tell me what it is worth now and where I can cash it in?
This currency note from the Bank of the United States is something that we have seen in the past. Our office receives many inquiries concerning the authenticity of these notes.

It is important to note, first, that the Treasury Department did not issue notes intended for circulation as currency until 1862. This being the case, these notes are not obligations of the United States Government. brief history

It is likely, though, that the note is part of a series of antiqued reproductions issued in various denominations and forms for use in advertising campaigns. The most popular of these bear the serial number 8894. These notes are so widespread that they were the subject of an August 5, 1970, article in the monthly numismatic publication, COIN WORLD

Why does my $5 note have a red seal?
United States Notes contain red seals, and were last printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1968. The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act, Public Law 103-325, codified at 31 U.S.C. 5119(b)(2), enacted in September 1994, amended 31 U.S.C. by canceling the requirement to reissue these notes when they are redeemed.

If genuine and in good condition, United States Notes may be of interest to collectors. The names and addresses of collectors and dealers are usually listed in the classified section of the telephone directory under the headings of "Coins" and "Hobbies."