Faces on US Paper Currency
The current US paper currency features historical figures chosen by the Treasury. George Washington appears on the $1 bill, Thomas Jefferson on the $2, Abraham Lincoln on the $5, Alexander Hamilton on the $10, Andrew Jackson on the $20, Ulysses S. Grant on the $50, and Benjamin Franklin on the $100.
Portraits are selected by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Department of the Treasury. Changes to designs or denominations typically follow congressional authorization and long planning processes.
Coins and Other Denominations
US coins also carry historical profiles. The penny shows Abraham Lincoln, the nickel Thomas Jefferson, the dime Franklin D. Roosevelt, the quarter George Washington, the half dollar John F. Kennedy, and the dollar coin features Sacagawea or other designs depending on the series.
Why These Figures and Where to Learn More
Most figures honored on US currency were presidents, founders, or leaders in finance, law, or civil rights. The United States Currency Education Program provides official details on denominations, security features, and design history at https://www.uscurrency.gov.
