Reading a Federal Reserve Note

A modern Federal Reserve Note contains a wealth of information. Learning to read all the elements helps you understand the note's origin, identify counterfeits, and appreciate the design. This guide walks through every major element.

Front Side (Obverse)

Denomination

The face value appears multiple times:

Large numerals in corners – The bottom-right and top-left corners display large denomination numbers ($1, $5, $10, etc.)
Written-out denomination – The denomination is also spelled out (e.g., "ONE DOLLAR") along edges
Color-shifting ink – On notes redesigned since 1996, the lower-right denomination uses color-shifting ink that changes color when tilted

Portrait

The front of most U.S. notes features a portrait of a historical figure:

$1 bill – George Washington
$2 bill – Thomas Jefferson
$5 bill – Abraham Lincoln
$10 bill – Alexander Hamilton
$20 bill – Andrew Jackson
$50 bill – Ulysses S. Grant
$100 bill – Benjamin Franklin

Federal Reserve District Seal (Black Circle, Left Side)

This black circle on the left side of the note identifies the Federal Reserve Bank that distributed it:

District number – On modern notes, Arabic numerals 1 through 12 appear in the corners of the note (and sometimes embedded in the seal). Older large-size notes and some pre-1960s series used Roman numerals (I–XII), but all modern circulating Federal Reserve Notes use Arabic numbers. Roman numerals in the seal is a common misconception about modern currency.
Letter – A through L identifying the issuing Federal Reserve Bank; this letter must always match the first letter of the serial number
City name – The name of the city where that Federal Reserve Bank is located, printed around the border of the seal
For example: a "B" seal with "NEW YORK" means the note was issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (district 2)

Treasury Seal (Green Circle, Right Side)

This green circle on the right side of the front confirms the Treasury's authority:

Contains an eagle and text reading "TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES"
The green color is a security feature itself (the specific shade is proprietary)
On modern notes, this seal is more complex and includes additional anti-counterfeiting measures

Serial Numbers (Two Numbers in Green)

Two identical serial numbers appear in green ink:

Top-right corner – First serial number
Bottom-left corner – Second serial number
Both must be identical on legitimate currency
Format: [Letter]-[8 digits]-[Letter] (e.g., A12345678B or with a star: A12345678★)

Series Year

Printed in the lower-right corner, the series year indicates:

When the design was authorized (not when the note was printed)
Format: "Series XXXX" (e.g., "Series 2013")
A suffix letter follows for signature changes (e.g., "Series 2009A")
The actual print date is not shown on the note

Signatures

Two signatures appear on the front, representing the:

Treasurer of the United States (left signature)
Secretary of the Treasury (right signature)
When these officials change, the signatures on new notes change
Different signature pairs indicate the note was printed during different administrations

Security Features (1996 and Later)

Security Thread

An embedded plastic strip visible when held to light:

Contains the word "USA" and the denomination
Position, color, and text vary by denomination for anti-counterfeiting
Visible horizontally across the note when tilted to the light

Watermark

A faint matching portrait visible when held to light:

Appears on the right side of the bill
Matches the main portrait on the front
Created during paper manufacturing, not printed

Color-Shifting Ink

On redesigned notes (since 1996), the denomination in the lower-right corner:

Changes color when the note is tilted (green to gold, blue to copper, depending on denomination)
This requires specialized inks impossible to reproduce with standard printing

Microprinting

Tiny text visible only under magnification:

Appears in various locations (on the lapel, in the tie, along borders)
Requires high-quality printing equipment to replicate

Back Side (Reverse)

Back Vignette

The primary design on the back varies by denomination:

$1 bill – The Great Seal of the United States (eagle in circle)
$2 bill – Declaration of Independence signing scene
$5 bill – Lincoln Memorial
$10 bill – U.S. Treasury building
$20 bill – White House
$50 bill – Capitol building
$100 bill – Independence Hall

Denomination (Back)

The denomination appears on the back:

Large numerals in the corners
Written-out denomination
On color notes (since 2004), subtle color is incorporated

Federal Reserve Symbols (Back)

Small Federal Reserve Bank letters and numerals appear, typically in corners:

Identifies which Federal Reserve Banks processed this batch

Plate Numbers

Small numbers indicate which printing plates were used:

Front plate number – Which plate printed the front
Back plate number – Which plate printed the back
These numbers help the BEP track production

Back Security Features

The back includes security features protecting against counterfeiting:

Color variations (on modern notes)
Fine line patterns and detail work
Specific ink colors and placement

Understanding Series and Signature Variations

Modern notes come in multiple varieties based on:

Series year – When the design was authorized
Signature pair – Who was Treasurer and Secretary when the note was printed
Two notes of the same denomination and series year but with different signature pairs are distinct collector varieties
Print quantities and rarity vary based on these factors

International Security Code

Modern U.S. notes include:

EURion Constellation – A subtle pattern of small circles that prevents color copiers and scanners from reproducing the note (anti-counterfeiting)