US Dollar
The US dollar is the most popular and powerful currency in the world. All other currencies are quoted against it. Any volatility in the American banknote has a direct impact on other currencies. The dollar’s birthday is celebrated on April 1, but it became the national currency of the United States on July 6, 1785. Here are some more interesting facts about the US dollar.
USA banknote is made of linen and cotton
The paper US currency is 75% cotton and 25% linen. It also has tiny red and blue synthetic fibers of varying lengths, evenly distributed over the entire surface. This makes the banknote more durable. To tear or ruin a paper dollar, it will have to be bent four thousand times. If you have an unnecessary bill and free time, you can experiment.
Two dollar bill
The one dollar banknote is the most popular US banknote in circulation. However, the two-dollar bill is a kind of lucky charm, which is why many people keep it in their wallets. It is noteworthy that there are two versions of the two-dollar bill: the first appeared in 1862, and the second in 1976. The last time this denomination was issued was in 2003. Today it is almost impossible to find such bills.
Banknotes of the largest denomination
Over the years, many banknotes of various denominations have been printed, including $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50 and $ 100. There were also $ 500 bills depicting President William McKinley, a $ 1,000 bill with Grover Cleveland, and a $ 5,000 bill with James Madison.
The $ 10,000 bill is a large denomination banknote that has recently been in circulation. It depicted US Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, who was in power during the Lincoln administration. Now it is a real rarity.
The $ 100,000 Gold Certificate is the largest denomination banknote ever printed in the United States. It was released in 1934 and later withdrawn due to economic risks. This bill has never appeared in free circulation.
Only deceased people are depicted on banknotes
After gaining independence from the British Empire, the United States passed a law according to which no living people were to be depicted on banknotes. This decision was taken contrary to the monarchist tradition of printing a living monarch on banknotes or coins. The Americans introduced this ban to emphasize their freedom. The law was violated only once. In 1926, a commemorative coin featuring President Calvin Coolidge was issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of independence.
Women depicted on banknotes
Banknotes usually depict people who have had a great influence on the development of the country. Among them were not only the founding fathers and presidents of America, but also women.
The government recently announced a banknote featuring Harriet Tubman, a Civil War spy who saved more than 70 slaves and their families. However, Harriet was not the first woman to be depicted on the bill. Earlier on American money was the image of Martha Washington, wife of George Washington. She was the very first first lady of the United States.
Death Sentence for Counterfeiters
In the modern world, $ 100- and $ 20 bills are most often counterfeited. If a counterfeiter is caught, then he is imprisoned for 20 years or, at best, a huge fine is imposed.
In the past, counterfeiters were treated much more severely. There was even an inscription on the banknotes: “Counterfeiting is punishable by death.” These were not just words, but a real death sentence.