36 Incredible Facts About U.S. Banknotes
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U.S. banknotes are more than just currency – they're a fascinating blend of art, history and security. From the portraits on the front to the hidden symbols, each bill tells the unique story of our American heritage.
Join us as we uncover some incredible facts about paper money in the United States.
1. Paper Money on the Continent Predates the Country
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2. The First Federal Government Printing of Paper Money Started in 1861
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3. The First Treasury Bills Were Worth Less Than a Dollar
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4. The Constitution Only Allows Coins
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5. Banks Used to Print Money
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6. Some 8,000 Different Institutions Once Made Notes
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7. U.S. Currency Does Not Expire
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8. There Once Was a $10,000 Note
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9. Now $100 Bills Are the Largest Denomination
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10. Hawaii Got Its Own Notes During World War II
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11. $1.571 Billion in Bills Currently Circulates
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12. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing Makes 38 Million Notes Each Day
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13. A Pound of U.S. Notes Contains 490 Bills
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14. U.S. Bills Are 2.61 Inches Wide
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15. From 1996 to 2000, U.S. Currency Was Redesigned
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16. From 2003 to 2008, U.S. Notes Were Again Redesigned
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17. The New Bills Look Larger
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18. Most Bills Have Security Threads
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19. The New $100 Bill Has a 3D Blue Ribbon
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20. The $1 Bill Accounts for 45 Percent of All Currency Production
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21. Every Note Has a Unique Serial Number
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22. Even Torn in Half, a Bill Is Still Legal Tender
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23. Paper Money Isn’t Paper
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24. Crane Currency Produces the Bill Material
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25. U.S. Notes Are Durable
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26. You Only See Dead People
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27. It’s Green On the Back
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28. The Lifespan of a $100 Bill Is…
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29. The Lifespan of a $1 Bill Is…
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30. And the Lifespan of a $10 Bill Is…
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31. Bills Are No Match For Coins in Terms of Longevity
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32. About 30,000 Claims About Damaged Currency Are Processed Annually
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33. Notes Removed From Circulation Are Shredded
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34. Your $1 Bill Probably Is Contaminated
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35. Andrew Jackson Didn’t Believe in Paper Money
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36. Andrew Jackson’s $20 Is Changing
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