All US Banknotes Security Features in Detail

us banknotes security features for $100 $50 $20 $10 $1 $2

US dollar banknotes has 7 different banknotes in different values and sizes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. US dollars are the legal and official currency of the United states, plus other 9 countries are official US dollar users: Ecuador, East Timor, El Salvador, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Zimbabwe, so, those countries has the same US dollar exchange rate. Each denomination features a portrait of a famous American statesman on its face and an image reflective of the nation’s history on the back.

To check wether banknotes are real or fake, we represent all security features in main perspectives: feel the paper, tilt the note, check with light. Below we made analysis of each US dollar banknote security features, and here is the main actions you’ll need to do spot fake banknotes:

Feel 1 US Dollar
Feel
Move your finger across the note. It should feel slightly rough to the touch as a result of the printing process and the unique composition of the paper.
Tilt 1 US Dollar
Tilt
Tilt the note to see the ink in the numbers on the lower right corner change color. On the current style of notes, the color should change from copper to green.
Check 1 US Dollar
Check with light
Hold the note to light to check that the watermark and security thread are visible from the front and back of the note.

All US dollar banknotes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 security features in detail

$100 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 100 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

The redesigned $100 note incorporates two advanced security features — the 3-D Security Ribbon and the Bell in the Inkwell — and other innovative enhancements. It is not necessary to trade in your old-design notes for new ones. All U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued. Even with the most technologically advanced security features, it’s you — the educated consumer — who continues to be the best line of defense against counterfeiting. It only takes a few seconds to check the new $100 note and know it’s real. Learn how to identify and use the two advanced security features: the 3-D Security Ribbon and the Bell in the Inkwell.

$100 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait: Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, quill pen, inkwell.
Back view of Independence Hall.

$100 US dollar Issued 2013 – Present

100 US dollar banknote. Front.
100 USD security features - Front

Key Security Features.
st) Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows pink when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
100 USD Security Thread
3d) 3-D Security Ribbon.
Tilt the note back and forth while focusing on the blue ribbon. You will see the bells change to 100s as they move. When you tilt the note back and forth, the bells and 100s move side to side. If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down. The ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed on it.
100 USD 3-D Security Ribbon
bi) Bell in the Inkwell.
Tilt the note to see the color-shifting bell in the copper inkwell change from copper to green, an effect which makes the bell seem to appear and disappear within the inkwell.
100 USD Bell in the Inkwell
w) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
100 USD Watermark
cs) Color-Shifting Ink
Tilt the note to see the numeral 100 in the lower right corner of the front of the note shift from copper to green.
100 USD Color-Shifting Ink

100 US dollar banknote. Back.
100 USD security features - Back

1) Federal Reserve System Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
100 USD Federal Reserve System Seal

2) Microprinting.. Look carefully (magni cation may be necessary) to see the small printed text THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on Benjamin Franklin’s jacket collar, USA 100 around the blank space containing the portrait watermark, ONE HUNDRED USA along the golden quill, and small 100s in the note borders.
100 USD Microprinting 100 USD Microprinting No. 2

3) Raised Printing. Move your nger up and down Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder on the left side of the note. It should feel rough to the touch, a result of the enhanced intaglio printing process used to create the image. Traditional raised printing can be felt throughout the $100 note, and gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
100 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
100 USD Paper

5) Portrait and Vignette. The $100 note features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front of the note and a vignette of Independence Hall on the back of the note.
100 USD Portrait and Vignette

6) Symbol of Freedom. Phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign the historic document are found to the right of the portrait.
100 USD Symbol of Freedom

7) Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
100 USD Treasury Seal

8) Serial Numbers. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
100 USD Serial Numbers

9) Series Year. The design includes series years 2009 and 2009A.
100 USD Series Year

10) Green 100. A large gold numeral 100 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
100 USD Green 10

About US dollar exchange rate

US dollar is the most popular currency in the world and it could be called the father of currencies. US dollar exchange rates changes every minute an impacts all world economics. It is important to know how strong US dollar and what are US dollar exchange rates against other currencies. Most popular exchange rates people are following are: dollar to euro, us dollar to pound, us dollar to canadian dollar , us dollar to yen, us dollar to ruble, us dollar to zloty, us dollar to rand, etc. Also, we provide versatile currency converter, which lets to calculate all different currencies among each other.

$50 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 50 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

The redesigned $50 note was rst issued in 2004. It has three key security features that are easy to check: a security thread, portrait watermark, and color-shifting numeral 50.

$50 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait Ulysses S. Grant.
Back view of United States Capitol.

$50 US dollar Issued 2004 – Present

50 US dollar banknote. Front.
50 USD security features - Front

Key Security Features.
st) Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 and a small ag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
50 USD Security Thread
w) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Grant in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
50 USD Watermark
cs) Color-Shifting Ink
Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from copper to green.
50 USD Color-Shifting Ink

50 US dollar banknote. Back.
50 USD security features - Back

1) Federal Reserve System Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
50 USD Federal Reserve System Seal

2) Microprinting.. Look carefully (magni cation may be necessary) to see the small printed text FIFTY, USA, and 50 inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, FIFTY repeated within both side borders of the note, and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in President Grant’s collar.
50 USD Microprinting 50 USD Microprinting No. 2

3) Raised Printing. Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
50 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
50 USD Paper

5) Color. The note includes subtle background colors of blue and red to both sides of the note.
50 USD Color

6) Portrait and Vignette. The $50 note features a portrait of President Grant on the front of the note and a vignette of the United States Capitol on the back of the note.
50 USD Portrait and Vignette

7) Symbol of Freedom. Representative of the United States ag, a eld of blue stars is located to the left of the portrait, while three red stripes are located to the right of the portrait. A small metallic silver-blue star is located on the lower right side of the portrait.
50 USD Symbol of Freedom

8) Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
50 USD Treasury Seal

9) Serial Numbers. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
50 USD Serial Numbers

10) Series Year. The design includes series years 2004, 2004A, 2006, 2009, and 2013.
50 USD Series Year

11) Green 50. A large green numeral 50 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
50 USD Green 10

USD exchange rates

$20 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 20 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

The redesigned $20 note was first issued in 2003. It has three key security features that are easy to check: a security thread, portrait watermark, and color-shifting numeral 20.

$20 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait Andrew Jackson
Back view of White House

$20 US dollar Issued 2003 – Present

20 US dollar banknote. Front.
20 USD security features - Front

Key Security Features.
st) Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA TWENTY and a small ag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows green when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
20 USD Security Thread
w) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Jackson in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
20 USD Watermark
cs) Color-Shifting Ink
Tilt the note to see the numeral 20 in the lower right corner of the front of the note shift from copper to green.
20 USD Color-Shifting Ink

20 US dollar banknote. Back.
20 USD security features - Back

1) Federal Reserve System Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
20 USD Federal Reserve System Seal

2) Microprinting.. Look carefully (magni cation may be necessary) to see the small printed text USA20 along the border of the first three letters of the blue TWENTY USA ribbon to the right of the portrait and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20 in black in the border below the Treasurer’s signature.
20 USD Microprinting 20 USD Microprinting No. 2

3) Raised Printing. Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
20 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
20 USD Paper

5) Color. The note includes background colors of green and peach. The words TWENTY USA have been printed in blue in the background to the right of the portrait.
20 USD Color

6) Portrait and Vignette. The $20 note features a portrait of President Jackson on the front of the note and a vignette of the White House on the back of the note.
20 USD Portrait and Vignette

7) Symbol of Freedom. The large blue eagle in the background to the left of President Jackson’s portrait is representative of those drawn and sculpted during his time period. The smaller metallic green eagle to the lower right of the portrait is a more contemporary engraving.
20 USD Symbol of Freedom

8) Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
20 USD Treasury Seal

9) Serial Numbers. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
20 USD Serial Numbers

10) Series Year. The design includes series years 2004, 2004A, 2006, 2009, and 2013.
20 USD Series Year

11) Green 20. A large green numeral 20 in the lower right corner on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
20 USD Green 10

USD exchange rates

$10 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 10 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

The redesigned $10 note was first issued in 2006. It has three key security features that are easy to check: a security thread, portrait watermark, and color-shifting numeral 10.

$10 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait Alexander Hamilton
Back view U.S. Treasury

$10 US dollar Issued 2006 – Present

10 US dollar banknote. Front.
10 USD security features - Front

Key Security Features.
st) Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA TEN and a small ag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows orange when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
10 USD Security Thread
w) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of Secretary Hamilton in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
10 USD Watermark
cs) Color-Shifting Ink
Tilt the note to see the numeral 10 in the lower right corner of the front of the note shift from copper to green.
10 USD Color-Shifting Ink

10 US dollar banknote. Back.
10 USD security features - Back

1) Federal Reserve System Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
10 USD Federal Reserve System Seal

2) Microprinting.. Look carefully (magni cation may be necessary) to see the small printed text THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TEN DOLLARS USA below the portrait and inside the borders of the note and USA 10 repeated beneath the torch.
10 USD Microprinting 10 USD Microprinting No. 2

3) Raised Printing. Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
10 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
10 USD Paper

5) Color. The note includes background colors of orange, yellow, and red.
10 USD Color

6) Portrait and Vignette. The $10 note features a portrait of Secretary Hamilton on the front of the note and a vignette of the United States Treasury Building on the back of the note.
10 USD Portrait and Vignette

7) Symbol of Freedom. An image of the torch carried by the Statue of Liberty is printed in red to the left of the portrait of Secretary Hamilton. A smaller metallic red image of the torch can be found on the lower right side of the portrait.
10 USD Symbol of Freedom

8) Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
10 USD Treasury Seal

9) Serial Numbers. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
10 USD Serial Numbers

10) Series Year. The design includes series years 2004A, 2006, 2009, and 2013.
10 USD Series Year

11) Green 10. A large green numeral 10 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
10 USD Green 10

$5 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 5 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

The redesigned $5 note was first issued in 2008. It has three key security features that are easy to check: a column of three small numeral 5 watermarks, a security thread, and a large numeral 5 watermark.

$5 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait Abraham Lincoln
Back view Lincoln Memorial

$5 US dollar Issued 2008 – Present

5 US dollar banknote. Front.
5 USD security features - Front

Key Security Features.
w1) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of three numeral 5s to the left of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
5 USD Watermark 1
s) Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 5 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows blue when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
5 USD Security Thread
w2) Watermark
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of a large numeral 5 in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
5 USD Watermark 2

5 US dollar banknote. Back.
5 USD security features - Back

1) Federal Reserve System Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
5 USD Federal Reserve System Seal

2) Microprinting.. Look carefully (magni cation may be necessary) to see the small printed text FIVE DOLLARS repeated inside the left and right borders of the note, E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top of the shield within the Great Seal, and USA repeated in between the columns of the shield. On the back of the note the text USA FIVE appears along one edge of the large purple numeral 5.
5 USD Microprinting 5 USD Microprinting No. 2

3) Raised Printing. Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
5 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
5 USD Paper

5) Color. The center of the note is light purple, blending to gray near the edges.
5 USD Color

6) Portrait and Vignette. The $5 note features a portrait of President Lincoln on the front of the note and a vignette of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the note.
5 USD Portrait and Vignette

7) Symbol of Freedom. The Great Seal of the United States, featuring an eagle and shield, is printed in purple to the right of the portrait of President Lincoln. An arc of purple stars surrounds the portrait and The Great Seal.
5 USD Symbol of Freedom

8) Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
5 USD Treasury Seal

9) Serial Numbers. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
5 USD Serial Numbers

10) Series Year. The design includes series years 2006, 2009, and 2013.
5 USD Series Year

11) Purple 5. A large purple numeral 5 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
5 USD Purple 5

$2 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 2 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

2 US dollar banknote is the second oldest banknote with almost the same security features like $1, those features didn’t change since the beginning. Security features below will let you recognize real and fake $2 banknote.

$2 US dollar note size: 156.1 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait: Thomas Jefferson
Back view: Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence

$1 US dollar Issued 1976 – Present.

2 US dollar banknote. Front.
2 USD security features - Front

1 US dollar banknote. Back.
2 USD security features - Back

Why has the design of the $2 note remained the same since the note was issued in 1976? The United States government redesigns Federal Reserve notes primarily for security reasons: to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats and keep counterfeiting levels low. Because the $2 note is infrequently counterfeited, the government has no plans to redesign this note.

1) Federal Reserve Bank Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait bears the name and corresponding letter of the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
2 USD Federal Reserve Bank Seal

2) Treasury Seal.. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The design of the seal was changed to incorporate an English inscription and appears on all Federal Reserve notes of the 1976 series year or later.
2 USD Treasury Seal

3) Raised Printing. Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
2 USD Raised Printing

4) Paper. Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security bers.
2

5) Portrait. The $2 note features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front of the note.
2 USD Portrait

6) Serial Numbers. A combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
2 USD Serial Numbers

7) Vignette. A vignette depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back of the note.
2 USD Vignette

$1 US dollar banknote security features. Recognize your 1 US dollar banknote is not fake, spot a fake banknote

US dollar banknotes has lots of various security features. 1 US dollar banknote is the oldest banknote with the same security features from 1963. Security features below will let you recognize real and fake banknote.

$1 US dollar note size: 156 x 66.3 mm
Front Portrait: George Washington
Back view: Great Seal of the United States

$1 US dollar Issued 1963 – Present.

1 US dollar banknote. Front.
1 USD security features - Front

1 US dollar banknote. Back.
1 USD security features - Back

Why has the design of the $1 note remained the same since the note was issued in 1963? The United States government redesigns Federal Reserve notes primarily for security reasons: to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats and keep counterfeiting levels low. Because the $1 note is infrequently counterfeited, the government has no plans to redesign this note. In addition, there is a recurring provision in the annual Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act that prohibits the redesign of the $1 note.

1 thought on “All US Banknotes Security Features in Detail”

  1. Star notes are replacement notes for notes that had errors, so what if the star note has an error (s)? Would it be worth anything?

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top