You’re standing at a vending machine. Or maybe you're staring at a crumpled piece of paper in your wallet that looks a little different than a single but isn't quite a twenty. It’s a valid question for anyone not used to carrying cash in an era of digital taps and crypto wallets: is there a ten dollar bill? Yes. Absolutely. It’s a cornerstone of American currency, though it’s arguably the most "middle child" of all the notes printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).
People sometimes forget it exists because we’re so obsessed with the "dead presidents" on the other bills. Except, here’s the kicker—the guy on the ten isn't even a president.
Alexander Hamilton. He’s the face of the ten-dollar note. He was the first Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, and lately, a Broadway superstar, but he never sat in the Oval Office.
The Basics of the Ten Dollar Bill
The ten-dollar bill is officially called Federal Reserve Note. It's orange. Well, sort of a subtle orange, yellow, and red blend that the government introduced back in 2006 to make life harder for counterfeiters. If you have one from the 1990s, it’ll look much more "greenback" than the ones circulating today.
Technically, the lifespan of a ten-dollar bill is about 6.6 years. Compare that to a hundred-dollar bill, which hangs around for over 20 years because people tuck them away under mattresses or in safes. The ten gets used. It gets passed around at coffee shops and used for small tips. It’s a workhorse.
The U.S. government prints billions of these. In 2023 alone, the Federal Reserve ordered between 600 million and 800 million new ten-dollar notes. They aren't rare. But they are unique. For one, Hamilton is one of only two non-presidents on currently circulating bills. The other is Benjamin Franklin on the hundred.
Why the Ten Dollar Bill Looks the Way It Does
If you look closely at the front, you'll see "The United States of America" and "Ten Dollars" printed in tiny, tiny text. This is microprinting. It’s one of those things you can’t really see unless you have a magnifying glass or really good eyesight.
Then there’s the watermark. Hold the bill up to a light. You should see a faint image of Alexander Hamilton in the blank space to the right of the portrait. If that watermark isn't there, or if it looks like it was drawn on by a toddler, you’re holding a fake.
The Treasury also uses color-shifting ink. Look at the number "10" in the bottom right corner of the bill's front side. Tilt it. It should change from copper to green. This isn't just for show; it's a security feature that’s incredibly difficult for high-end printers to replicate.
The Drama of Changing the Face
A few years ago, there was a massive debate. You might remember the headlines. The Treasury Department, under Jack Lew, announced they were looking to put a woman on the ten-dollar bill. It made sense at the time because the ten was next in line for a security redesign.
People had thoughts. A lot of thoughts.
Specifically, the "Hamilton" musical had just exploded. Suddenly, Alexander Hamilton was a pop-culture icon. Lin-Manuel Miranda even met with Lew to talk about it. The public outcry to keep Hamilton on the bill was surprisingly loud for a guy who died in a duel in 1804.
Eventually, the plan shifted. The Treasury decided to keep Hamilton on the ten and instead focus on changing the twenty-dollar bill to feature Harriet Tubman. So, for the foreseeable future, Alexander remains the king of the ten.
Spotting a Rare Ten Dollar Bill
Not all tens are created equal. Most are worth exactly ten dollars. Duh. But some are worth a lot more to collectors.
- Star Notes: Look at the serial number. If there is a little star at the end of it, that means it’s a replacement bill. These are printed when the original sheet had a mistake. Collectors love these.
- Fancy Serial Numbers: If you find a bill where the serial number is all the same digit (like 88888888) or a "ladder" (12345678), you’ve hit the jackpot. People pay hundreds, sometimes thousands, for these on eBay.
- The 1933 Silver Certificate: These are the holy grail. Most were destroyed, but if you find a ten-dollar bill from 1933 that says "Silver Certificate," it could be worth a small fortune.
Honestly, though? Most of the time, the ten-dollar bill in your pocket is just ten bucks.
International Comparison
It's funny how other countries handle their "tens." In Canada, the ten-dollar bill is purple and features Viola Desmond, a civil rights activist. In the UK, the ten-pound note is plastic (polymer) and features Jane Austen.
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The U.S. is one of the few countries still clinging to a cotton-linen blend for its "paper" money. It's actually 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why it feels like fabric rather than paper. If you accidentally leave a ten-dollar bill in your jeans and it goes through the wash, it usually survives. Try that with a piece of notebook paper and you’ll have a mess.
Is the Ten Dollar Bill Going Away?
Cash is dying. Or so they say. But the data doesn't really back that up.
While more people use Apple Pay or credit cards, the amount of physical currency in circulation continues to rise. The ten-dollar bill is particularly useful for businesses that need to make change. It’s the perfect bridge between the five and the twenty.
Could we see a $15 bill or something weird? No. The U.S. currency system is pretty set in its ways. The "decimal-ish" progression of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 has worked for a long time.
Modern Counterfeiting Concerns
The ten isn't counterfeited as often as the twenty or the hundred. Why? Because it’s not worth the effort for most criminals. If you’re going to risk prison for printing money, you usually want a higher ROI.
However, "bleached" bills are a thing. This is where a criminal takes a one-dollar bill, bleaches the ink off, and prints a higher denomination—like a ten—on the original paper. This is why checking the watermark is so important. If you have a ten-dollar bill but the watermark shows George Washington, you know it’s a bleached one-dollar note.
Actionable Tips for Handling Your Cash
If you deal with cash often, you should know how to verify your bills. It takes two seconds.
- Feel the paper. U.S. currency has raised printing. Run your fingernail across Hamilton's shoulder. You should feel a distinct texture. If it's smooth as a flyer, it's a fake.
- Look for the thread. There is a vertical plastic strip embedded in the paper. It’s to the right of the portrait. On the ten-dollar bill, it says "USA TEN" and glows orange under ultraviolet light.
- Check the "10" at the bottom. Ensure it shifts color when you tilt it.
If you happen to find a bill that looks "off" or has a strange serial number, don't spend it immediately. Take it to a local coin shop or a bank. You might have something that's worth more than its face value.
The ten-dollar bill is more than just lunch money. It's a piece of history that survived a near-removal from the currency lineup and continues to be one of the most used notes in the world. Next time you see Hamilton's face staring back at you, give him a little credit. He’s been through a lot to stay in your wallet.
To keep your currency in good shape, avoid folding bills into "money origami" or stapling them, as high-speed sorting machines at banks will often flag damaged notes for destruction, removing them from circulation prematurely. Keep your tens crisp, check for those rare star notes, and always verify the color-shifting ink if a bill feels suspicious in your hand.