What Presidents Are on United States Currency?

The U.S. Treasury secretary chooses the portraits that appear on American currency, according to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which makes the country's paper money. New versions of the presidents' pictures began appearing in 2003 as the government rolled out redesigned currency to thwart counterfeiting.

One Dollar

The face of George Washington, the first U.S. president, is on the front of the $1 bill, while the Great Seal of the United States appears on the back.

Two Dollars

The Bureau of Engraving still makes $2 bills, although it produces relatively few of them. Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, appears on the front, and a vignette of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is on the back.

Five Dollars

The front of the $5 bill bears the image of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, while the Lincoln Memorial appears on the back.

Twenty Dollars

The front of the $20 bill features the face of Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president, and the White House graces the back.

Fifty Dollars

Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. president, appears on the front of the $50 bill, while the U.S. Capitol is on the back.

Other Denominations

Two figures from U.S. history who were not presidents appear on the country's currency. Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury secretary, is on the front of the $10 bill, and statesman Benjamin Franklin appears on the $100 bill.

References

• Portraits on U.S. Currency
• Redesigned Currency
• $2 Bills