When speaking about money, $1 is referred to as “a one”, “a dollar”, “a dollarbill”, or “a buck”; $5 is “a five”, “five dollars”, “a five dollar bill”, or “five bucks”; etc. Another way to refer to money is to call it “cash.” One popular slang term for money is “cheddar.” The five, ten, twenty, fifty and hundred dollar bills have recently been changed in order to provide more security features. Both the new and old versions are currently used. The one dollar bill is not being changed as it is not considered as likely to be counterfeited. Also in use but not as frequently seen are the $2, $50 and $100 bills. The two dollar bill is rare - people often collect, rather than spend, them. $50 and $100 bills are not widely used and many places may not accept them for small purchases. You probably won’t ever see any larger-value denominations such as $1,000, $500, $5,000, and $10,000. People not familiar with these bills should probably not accept them, because counterfeit, or fake, currency does happen, especially in the higher and more unfamiliar denominations. Store employees may not like the use of very large bills to pay for very small items. For example, try not to use a $50 to pay for a 25¢ pack of candy! It would be better to pay with a smaller denomination or some coins. If you don’t have anything smaller, it is polite to let the store worker know. US Coins The most widely used coins are the quarter, dime, nickel, and penny.

Each type of coin has a specific size and design, usually with the image of a president or other famous American person on the front. Quarters have been made with different pictures on their back sides, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the USA, and honoring each state. Coins that are rarely used include the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, and the Kennedy half-dollar, also known as the 50-cent piece. Canadian coins are seen in the northern United States and are also available in dimes, quarters, nickels, and pennies. However, not all stores and restaurants accept them; commonly, the closer you are to Canada, the more accepted they are. Canadian coins may be accepted as equal in value to US coins, but the exchange rate usually places a higher value on the US versions, so be careful not to accept too many.

Practical use The quarter is one of the most useful coins. If you are a student, be sure to save these! They can be used in almost any coin-operated machine: clothes washers & dryers, arcade games, pay phones, and vending machines dispensing food, drinks, stamps, tickets, newspapers, etc. Quarters and nickels can usually be used in pay phones and vending machines. Many vending machines will take small bills, such as ones, fives, and tens, but the change you get back will all be in coins. Often there will be a dollar changer near coin-operated machines which dispenses quarters in exchange for small bills. One word of caution: vending machines do not take dollar coins, half-dollars, pennies, or Canadian coins. Credit or charge cards are being used more and more, even for buying small things. Many Americans don’t like to carry much cash, and the cards are easy and safe to use. They are accepted almost everywhere, but not at all fast food restaurants! Traveler’s checks are a good idea for visitors also. You won’t have to carry large amounts of money in your pocket or purse, and the checks can be replaced if they get lost or stolen.

Much Continued ESL Success,

The creator of “ESL Free Lesson”

The “ESL Free Lesson” website is an incredible resource for ESL students from all over the world . This report is only one of 7 tips that you can get Free at eslfreelesson.com. To get your other 6 fantastic ESL tips and your “Free bonus Ebook” to help you to earn more money enroll now at:

www.eslfreelesson.com

About the Author

The author of this article is the creator of eslfreelesson.com. A fantastic website which focuses on helping people to learn English quickly.

ShareThis

The Bald Eagle was featured on front of the first Large-sized $100 United States Note released in 1862; this bill had two reverse design variations. The $100 United States Note was redesigned in 1869 with Abraham Lincoln on the front and in 1875 the back was redesigned again; it was then redesigned again in 1914 having Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and symbolic designs on the back representing work, abundance, America, peace, and business. In 1863, the first $100 Gold Certificate was released containing a bald eagle and big green 100 on the front with an orange reverse side. In 1870, the bill was redesigned to be one-sided and had Thomas Hart Benton’s portrait on it; it kept Benton’s picture on it when the bill was changed in 1882. James Monroe was shown on the first $100 Silver Certificate released in 1878. In 1891, the $100 Silver Certificate was redesigned and the black reverse was changed to green. The $100 bill was issued as Federal Reserve Note for the first time in the year 1914. The face contained a picture of Benjamin Franklin and the back had symbolic designs showing labor, abundance, America, peace, and trade.

In 1929, all United States bills were switched to the current size. All $100 bills had Franklin on the front and on the back, it had Independence Hall. On the $100 Federal Reserve Note, the seal and serial numbers were green and on the $100 Gold Certificate, the seal and serial numbers were a golden color. In 1966, for the first and only time, the $100 bill was released as a Small-sized United States Note. Starting in the 1990s, the $100 bill started getting changes made to prevent counterfeiting. These included a watermark, a plastic security thread, microscopic printing, and a Federal Reserve Seal replacing the Federal Reserve Bank Seal.

ShareThis

The first $50 bill was placed into circulation in 1862 and it was a large-sized bill. In 1869, a new $50 United States Note featuring Henry Clay and a mythical figure grasping a laurel branch on the face. This was replaced in 1874 with another $50 United States Note with Benjamin Franklin and Lady Liberty on the front of it. In 1878, Edward Everett starred on obverse of the first $50 Silver Certificate while the reverse of the bill was in black ink. This bill was revised and redesigned in both 1880 and 1891. Containing a portrait of American democratic politician, Silas Wright, on the face and a Bald Eagle sitting on top of an American flag, the first $50 Gold Certificate was released in 1882. This bill was revised in 1913 when Ulysses S. Grant’ s picture appeared on the front. In 1914, the first $50 Federal Reserve Note featured Ulysses S. Grant on the front and a mythical design of Panama between an armored warship and a merchant on the back.

The design of the $50 Federal Reserve Note contained a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the obverse and a picture of the U.S. Capitol on the reverse, when all U.S. money was switched to its smaller, current size. The $50 Federal Reserve Note had a green seal and serial numbers, while the $50 Gold Certificate had a golden-color seal and serial numbers. As the years went by, the lay out of the $50 bill changed slightly but it kept the same basic design. In 1991, new security features such as microprinting and a plastic security strip were added. Then in later years, more security features such as a watermark and glow-in-the-dark security thread included.

ShareThis

In 1861, the $20 bill was released as a Large-Sized Demand Note; on the obverse was Lady Liberty with a sword and shield, and the reverse printed in green ink, is a general design, nothing special. In 1862, a very similar $20 United States Note was released with a different reverse design. The first $20 Gold Certificate was released in 1863 and had a picture of an eagle on the front and an orange back with a $20 gold coin; the $20 Gold Certificate was redesigned in 1882 with a picture of James Garfield on the obverse and the reverse was orange with an eagle on it. The $20 United States Note was redesigned in 1869; it had Andrew Jackson and the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria, holding a sword and shield, on the front of it and it had a green back design. Stephen Decatur was featured on front of the first $20 Silver Certificate, which had a black back design; the $20 Silver Certificate was released in 1886 with Daniel Manning on the front. Again, in 1905, the Gold Certificate was redesigned with George Washington on the front with an orange reverse side. The first $20 Federal Reserve Note started being issued in 1914; had both twenty-second and twenty-fourth U.S. President, Grover Cleveland, on the obverse and a steamship and steam locomotive on the reverse.

In 1928, the $20 Federal Reserve Note was changed to its smaller, current size. It was redeemable in both gold and silver. Andrew Jackson was on the front and the White House was on the back. During World War II, the$20 Federal Reserve Note was designed special to circulate on the Hawaiian Islands in case an enemy seized it, then it could claimed as worthless. The $20 Federal Reserve Note had HAWAII printed on the front and back of it and it had brown serial numbers. Over the years, the $20 bill was edited in small ways, with an updated White House picture and new treasury seal, but overall it kept the same design. Starting in the 1990’s new security features were added, like microprinting, a watermark, and color-shifting ink, to prevent counterfeiting.

ShareThis

The first $10 bill was released in 1861 as a Large-Sized Demand Note with a picture of Abraham Lincoln and a rhetorical figure representing art on the obverse. When 1862 came around, the first $10 United States Notes were issued with a front design similar with that of the 1861 Demand Note, but a partially revised back side. The first $10 Silver Certificate was released in 1878 printed in all black and had the word SILVER in large block letters. In 1886 another $10 Silver Certificate was issued containing a portrait of Thomas A. Hendricks on it. Michael Hillegas was featured on the obverse of the first $10 Gold Certificate released in 1907. Andrew Jackson was shown on the front of the first $10 Federal Reserve Note issued in 1914. The bill had vignettes, or pictures, of farming and industry on the back. The $10 Federal Reserve Bank Notes were released by 4 individual Federal Reserve Banks in 1915 and then reissued again in 1918 and they could only be redeemed at the identical bank at which it was released. Andrew Jackson became the new face of the $10 United States Note after it was redesigned in 1923.

In 1929, all U.S. money was changed to its current size because of the series of 1928. Under this, all $10 bills were to have a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the front and the U.S. Treasury on the back. It was issued as a Federal Reserve Note that had a green seal and serial numbers and also as a Gold Certificate on which the serial numbers and seal were a golden color. Having a blue seal and serial numbers, the first small-sized $10 Silver Certificates were released in 1933 and then redesigned in 1934. During World War II, in 1942, special $10 bills were released for Hawaii and U.S. troops in North Africa. Both were printed so that if an enemy of the U.S. were to get a hold of it, it could be said to have no value. On a $10 Federal Reserve Note, HAWAII was printed on the obverse and reverse and the seal and serial numbers were turned brown. The serial numbers and seal were yellow instead of blue on the $10 Silver Certificates sent to North Africa.

Throughout the years, the $10 bills were changed slightly, especially in more recent years to prevent counterfeiting, but they still kept the same overall design. The newest $10 was released in 2006 with enhanced background colors and more features to prevent counterfeiting.

ShareThis

The first $5 bill was released in 1861 as a Large-Size Demand Note. It had a small portrait of Alexander Hamilton and rhetorical statue representing freedom on the obverse. In 1862, the $5 bill was revised on the reverse side and it was released as an United States Note. The first $5 Silver Certificate was released in 1886 with Ulysses S. Grant on the front of it and five Morgan Silver Dollars on the back. Later, in 1896, the “Educational Series” Silver Certificate was issued. In 1914, the first $5 Federal Reserve Notes were issued. These showed a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and vignettes of Columbus sighting land and the Pilgrim’s landing on the reverse. In 1923, the $5 Silver Certificate was changed, making the words The United States of America circular around Lincoln’s picture. This bill was nicknamed a “porthole” silver certificate because of it.’

All U.S. notes became small-sized notes in 1929 under the Series of 1928. The $5 bill was released as a United States note with a red seal and serial numbers and as a Federal Reserve Note with green serial numbers and a green seal. These had Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. In 1934, the first $5 Silver Certificates were released and they had a blue seal, blue serial numbers, and blue 5 on the front. Special currency was issued for World War II so that if the enemy got a hold of the money, it could be declared as worthless. One variation of these bills had Hawaii Printed on the front and the back of the bill and the seal and serial numbers went from green to brown in color. Another variation of $5 silver certificate had a yellow seal instead of a blue seal and were for U.S. troops in North Africa. In 1967, the $5 United States Notes stopped being produced.

The $5 bill was recently redesigned and started being issued on March 13, 2008 with more and better security features to avoid counterfeiting. This includes watermarks, security thread, microprinting, Federal Reserve indicators, and a shift of the serial number placement. New design features included bigger portraits and historical pictures and The Great Seal of the United States, an eagle and a shield, is printed on the background of the bill’s obverse in purple.

ShareThis

The first year that the United States $2 Bill was printed was 1862 as a Large Size Legal Tender Note. It originally had a portrait of Alexander Hamilton and then was later redesigned in 1869 with Thomas Jefferson’s picture. In 1886, the $2 Silver Certificate was issued and it had a portrait of U.S. Civil War General Winfred Scott Hancock. Over the years, the $2 Silver Certificate was redesigned and issued out. One of the most famous was the “Educational Series” Silver Certificate in 1896.

In 1929, all U.S. currency was changed to its smaller, current size and the $2 bill was kept as United States Note also known as a Legal Tender Note. The obverse had Thomas Jefferson on it and on the reverse was his home, the Monticello. On this note, the seal and serial number were both red. The $2 bills were officially discontinued in August 1966 after being changed in 1953 and 1963.

The $2 bill was redesigned and reissued as a Federal Reserve Note for the United States’ Bicentennial in 1976 ($2.00 = 200 cents). This is the same design that the current $2 bills have today.

Today, $2 bills are rarely found in circulation but are considered collectible. Collectible $2 bills include large size notes, red seal small-sized $2 Federal Reserve Notes , $2 Federal Reserve notes not put into circulation, and notes in Series 1976 $2 bills with canceled stamps.

ShareThis

There have been two sizes of U.S. $1 bills: the large size notes and the current small size notes. The first $1 bill was issued in 1862 as a Legal Tender Note. From that time on, the $1 bill had variety of designs including the popular silver certificate, which was first issued in 1886 with Martha Washington, the first woman on U.S. currency on the front of it. The small size notes were first introduced in 1929 and it was issued as a silver certificate under the Series of 1928. Around World War II, in 1942, special issues of one-dollar bills were started. These included special $1 Silver Certificates for Hawaii in case of Japanese invasion which had Hawaii printed vertically on the left and right side with a brown seal and serial number. Another special $1 Silver Certificate for the payment of Allied troops in North Africa about to start an assault in Europe, which had a yellow seal. These two special Silver Certificates could be claimed as worthless enemy troops got a hold of them. One-dollar Federal Reserve Notes started being printed in 1963, therefore ending the production of the Silver Certificate.

ShareThis

These bills were printed as small-sized notes starting in 1929. The $500 bill had a portrait of the twenty-fifth U.S. President, William McKinley. The $1,000 bill showed a picture of Grover Cleveland, the twenty-second and twenty-fourth U.S. President. The $5,000 bill had a picture of James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Salmon P. Chase, a American Politician, was shown on the $10,000 bill. These bills were printed mainly in green and black ink. Production of these bills ended in 1945 and on July 14, 1969, the Federal Reserve System officially discontinued them. Today, these bills are super rare and worth quite a lot of money.

The last of the Former United States Paper Money is the $100,000 bill. It displayed a portrait of twenty-eighth U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson, on the obverse and was printed in orange ink on the reverse. This bill was made only as a Gold Certificate of Series of 1934 and used for only government business. The series stopped being printed in 1940.

These bills were mainly printed for the use of banks and the Federal Government for big financial trades. It is unlikely that bills this large will ever be produced again because of all the problems related to counterfeiting and bad use like illegal drug deals. Credit cards and electronic money have provided another reason that making these bills would be pointless.

ShareThis

Security features on the front of the bill include a holographic stripe on the left side, which depicts the number 100 alternated with maple leaves, there is also a watermark of Borden’s portrait, and last, there is a broken-up number 100, which goes back together when backlit. The security feature on the reverse is a interleaved metallic strip, which has “100 CAN” along it length. The 2004 bills also have yellow dots which represent the EURion constellation and a tactile feature which similar to braille dots for the blind to identify the bill.

ShareThis