You’ve probably pulled a fiver out of your wallet a thousand times without really looking at it. It’s that purple-ish, gray-ish slip of paper that buys a mediocre latte or a pack of gum. But Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill isn't just a design choice; it is a massive piece of American branding that has survived over a century of redesigns, security upgrades, and political shifts.
He's been there since 1914. Think about that.
The portrait we see today—the one where he looks slightly tired but resolute—is actually based on a specific photograph taken by Anthony Berger in 1864. It was snapped just a year before his assassination. Honestly, you can see the weight of the Civil War in his eyes. It’s not a "glamour shot." It’s a weary wartime leader, and that grit is exactly why the U.S. Treasury keeps him there.
The Secret History of the $5 Bill’s Face
Most people assume the currency has always looked this way. Not even close. Before the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, paper money was a wild west of different designs, banks, and portraits. You had "Demand Notes" and "Legal Tender Notes" featuring everyone from Alexander Hamilton (who later got bumped to the $10) to Andrew Jackson.
When the first $5 Federal Reserve Note dropped in 1914, Lincoln was the natural choice. Why? Because the country was still healing. Even fifty years after the war, "Honest Abe" represented a unified America. Putting him on the most circulated "small" bill was a strategic move to make the federal government feel stable and moral.
The 1914 version actually featured a scene of the Pilgrims on the back. It felt very "foundational." It wasn't until 1929 that the size of the bill was standardized to what we recognize today, and the iconic Lincoln Memorial was slapped on the back.
🔗 Read more: Monroe Central High School Ohio: What Local Families Actually Need to Know
That 2008 Redesign Was Kind of a Big Deal
If you remember the "old" fives from the 90s, they were pretty monochrome. Then 2008 happened. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) decided the $5 bill needed a glow-up, mostly to mess with counterfeiters. They added light purple and gray. They added a giant, off-center "5" in purple ink on the back to help people with low vision.
The most interesting part? The tiny yellow "05"s scattered across the bill. It’s called the Eurion constellation. If you try to scan a $5 bill on a modern Xerox, the machine recognizes those little yellow circles and refuses to print. It’s basically built-in DRM for physical cash.
Why Abraham Lincoln on the $5 Bill Matters More Than the $1 or $20
There is a weird hierarchy in money. The $1 is everywhere but feels disposable. The $20 is the king of the ATM, but it’s currently mired in a decade-long debate about replacing Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman.
Lincoln is safe.
He is one of the few figures in American history with a nearly universal approval rating. Because he’s the "Great Emancipator," his presence on the $5 bill serves as a constant reminder of the 13th Amendment. While other historical figures are being scrutinized for their personal failings, Lincoln’s legacy as the man who held the Union together remains the bedrock of American identity.
💡 You might also like: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
Also, let’s be real: he has the best hair in numismatics. That beard is iconic.
Security Features You Can Actually Check Right Now
If you have a five in your pocket, hold it up to the light. You’ll see a vertical strip. That’s the security thread. On the $5, it’s located to the right of the portrait and says "USA 5" in a repeating pattern. Under UV light, that strip glows blue.
Then there’s the watermark. This is where it gets meta. When you hold it to the light, you see a large numeral "5" in the white space to the right of the portrait. In older versions, the watermark was actually Lincoln’s face again. The BEP changed it to a giant "5" because, apparently, people were getting confused between the different portraits in the watermark area.
- Look for the Great Seal of the United States to the left of Abe.
- Feel the "raised printing" on his coat. Your fingernail should catch on the ridges.
- Check the microprinting. There are tiny words like "FIVE DOLLARS" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" hidden in the borders. You almost need a magnifying glass to see them, which is exactly why they're hard to fake.
The Myth of the "Ghost" on the Bill
There’s always some weird conspiracy theory floating around currency. Some people swear they see a "ghost" or a second face in the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the bill. If you look at the center of the Memorial, there’s a tiny representation of the Lincoln statue.
Because the engraving is so small, the ink can sometimes smudge or wear down, making the seated Lincoln look like a blurry figure or a "phantom." It’s just physics and ink, folks. No ghosts here. Just a really, really small engraving of a statue of the guy who is already on the front of the bill. It’s Lincoln all the way down.
📖 Related: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
Common Misconceptions About the Fiver
One thing people get wrong all the time is the "Lincoln was a pauper" narrative. While he grew up in a log cabin, by the time he was a successful lawyer and politician, he was doing alright. Putting him on the $5—a bill that was once a significant amount of money for a working person—was a nod to his "common man" roots, but it wasn't because he was poor.
Another weird one? The idea that the $5 bill is being phased out for a coin. The U.S. has tried to push $1 coins for decades (the Sacagawea, the Susan B. Anthony), and they always fail. Americans love paper. The $5 bill is the workhorse of the American economy. It has an average lifespan of about 4.7 years before it gets too tatty and the Fed shreds it. Compare that to a $100 bill, which can last 15 years because people hoard them under mattresses.
What's Next for the Five?
While the $10 and $20 are getting major overhauls, the $5 bill is likely to stay mostly the same for a while. The Treasury Department is currently focused on the "next generation" of currency, which focuses heavily on tactile features for the blind.
We might see more vibrant colors or even different textures in the next decade. But don't expect Abe to go anywhere. He’s the anchor. He’s the guy who makes the money feel "real."
How to Value Your $5 Bills
Not every five is worth just five bucks. If you’re into "paper money hunting," you should be looking for a few specific things that make Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill a collector’s item:
- Star Notes: Look at the serial number. If there is a little star at the end instead of a letter, that’s a replacement note. They’re printed when the original sheet was messed up. They are rarer and often worth a premium.
- Fancy Serial Numbers: If you find a bill with a "ladder" (12345678) or a "radar" (serial number reads the same backward and forward), collectors will pay hundreds for it.
- The "Wide" Borders: On older bills, check if the portrait is significantly off-center. Authentic printing errors from the BEP can be worth a small fortune.
- The 1914 Blue Seals: If you find an old large-sized note with a blue seal, don’t spend it at 7-Eleven. Those can go for $50 to $500 depending on the condition.
The next time you’re handed a five in change, take a second. Look at the lines in Lincoln’s forehead. Look at the tiny "05"s scattered like yellow confetti. It’s a masterpiece of security engineering and historical tribute hiding in plain sight.
Actionable Step: Check the serial numbers of the $5 bills currently in your wallet. If you see a star symbol at the end of the number, set it aside; it's a "Star Note" and is worth more than face value to the right collector. If the bill is from the 1990 series or earlier and in crisp condition, it's worth taking to a local coin shop for a quick appraisal before you spend it on a sandwich.