You’ve probably looked at a ten-dollar bill a thousand times and just assumed you were looking at a president. Most people do. It's a natural assumption because, well, the rest of them mostly are. But if you actually bet money on Alexander Hamilton being a former Commander in Chief, you'd lose.
Honestly, the "who’s who" of American cash is a mix of legitimate icons, a few surprise guests, and some guys who basically put themselves on the money because they had the keys to the printing press. It’s not just a hall of fame for presidents.
In fact, the rules for who gets to be the face of your wallet are weirder than you’d think. There’s no law saying it has to be a president. There is, however, a very strict law saying they have to be dead. Since 1866, federal law has prohibited any living person from appearing on U.S. currency. Why? To avoid looking like a monarchy. We aren’t fans of putting kings on coins while they’re still wearing the crown.
The Current Lineup: What President Is On Paper Money Right Now?
If you pull out a stack of "dead presidents" today, you're looking at a specific roster that was mostly finalized back in 1928. That was the year the Treasury Department decided to shrink the size of our bills to the "small-size" notes we use today. They wanted faces that people knew instantly.
Here is the breakdown of the presidents actually on the paper money in your pocket:
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- The $1 Bill: George Washington. He’s the original. He wasn't always on the single, though. Early on, Salmon P. Chase (the Secretary of the Treasury) actually put his own face on the first $1 bill in 1862. Talk about an ego trip. Washington didn’t take over the spot until 1869.
- The $2 Bill: Thomas Jefferson. Often called the "forgotten" bill. It’s still in circulation, even if you only see it when a quirky grandparent gives you one for your birthday. Jefferson has been the face of the deuce since 1869.
- The $5 Bill: Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe has held down the five-spot since 1914. It makes sense—he’s arguably the most beloved figure in the history of the country.
- The $20 Bill: Andrew Jackson. This one is a bit of an irony. Jackson famously hated paper money and fought to dismantle the Second Bank of the United States. Now, he’s the most common bill dispensed by ATMs. Life is funny like that.
- The $50 Bill: Ulysses S. Grant. The Civil War hero and 18th president. There have been periodic attempts to replace him with Ronald Reagan, but Grant’s spot on the fifty has remained secure since 1914.
The Non-Presidents Hiding in Your Wallet
This is where people get tripped up on the question of what president is on paper money. Two of the most famous faces on our currency never lived in the White House.
Alexander Hamilton ($10) was our first Secretary of the Treasury. He’s the reason we even have a national banking system. While he was a Founding Father and George Washington’s right-hand man, he never ran for the presidency. He was too busy getting into duels and writing the Federalist Papers.
Then you have Benjamin Franklin ($100). He’s the biggest "imposter" of them all because the $100 bill is the highest denomination currently printed. Franklin was a scientist, a diplomat, and a printer, but he was never president. He was, however, the President of Pennsylvania (a title used for governors at the time), but that doesn’t count for the big job in D.C.
The Giants We Don’t See Anymore
Unless you’re a high-stakes gambler or a currency collector, you probably haven’t seen the "high-denomination" notes. The government stopped printing these in 1945 and officially pulled them from circulation in 1969 because nobody was using them—except for mobsters and tax evaders.
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If you did find one, you’d see:
- The $500 Bill: William McKinley (25th President).
- The $1,000 Bill: Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th President).
- The $5,000 Bill: James Madison (4th President).
- The $10,000 Bill: Salmon P. Chase. Again, not a president. He was the Treasury Secretary under Lincoln and later a Chief Justice.
There is also a $100,000 gold certificate featuring Woodrow Wilson, but those were never meant for the public. They were basically just "store credit" for Federal Reserve banks to move massive amounts of gold around.
Why Haven't the Faces Changed?
It feels like our money has looked the same forever. You’ve probably heard the rumors about Harriet Tubman replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. That plan has been in the works since 2016, but it’s a slow process.
Designing a new bill isn't just about picking a cool portrait. It’s an arms race against counterfeiters. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) prioritizes security features like 3D ribbons and color-shifting ink over aesthetic changes.
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As of 2026, the schedule for redesigns is moving along. The $10 bill is actually the next one up for a refresh, followed by the $50 and then the $20. The Treasury has to balance historical tradition with the need to represent a more diverse range of American heroes. It’s a political tightrope.
Real-World Advice: How to Use This Knowledge
Knowing who is on what bill is more than just bar trivia. It’s actually a decent way to spot fake money. Counterfeiters often focus on the big numbers but get the small details wrong.
- Check the Watermark: If you hold a $20 bill to the light, you should see a faint image of Andrew Jackson. If the watermark is George Washington, someone washed a $1 bill and reprinted it as a $20.
- Feel the Ink: U.S. currency uses "intaglio" printing. This means the ink is slightly raised. If you run your fingernail over the president’s coat, you should feel a distinct texture. Fake bills usually feel flat and smooth like a laser printer.
- The "Secret" Non-President: If someone tries to sell you a "rare" $10 bill featuring a president other than Hamilton, walk away. It’s a fake.
The faces on our money tell the story of who we were when the bills were designed. While we mostly see presidents, we also see the architects of our economy and the scientists who defined our early identity. Whether the lineup changes in the next few years or stays exactly as it is, these portraits remain the most widely distributed art in the world.
If you're curious about the future of your cash, keep an eye on the BEP's official announcements regarding the "Catalyst" $10 note. It’s the first major change we've seen in decades, and it’s set to hit the streets sooner than you think.