What is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) doing to help blind and visually impaired Americans with banknote identification?
BEP has worked closely with the public to study ways to improve the currency, including ways to help the public more readily identify currency denominations. These efforts have already resulted in design changes in 1996 and 2004 to improve security and to feature larger, high-contrast numerals with distinct background colors, and for Series 1999 to include a machine-readable feature.

BEP continues to explore and develop solutions for the blind and visually impaired. For example, BEP has been working with the private sector since 2004 to help develop an even lower cost, hand-held currency reading device to supplement hand-held readers that are already commercially available. In late 2006, BEP issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking updated information about currency readers, and in June 2007, BEP issued another RFI specifically to gather information regarding cell phone technology that can be used to allow the blind and visually impaired to use camera cell phones as currency readers. The results of these RFIs are currently being reviewed.

Most recently, BEP has taken steps to commission a comprehensive three-phase study to gather additional data, research and analyses to support its development of methods to help the blind and visually impaired:

• Phase 1 of the study will focus on defining the characteristics of the blind and visually impaired Americans and their projected trends;
• Phase 2 of the study will examine the technical and practical feasibility of currency design changes that could assist the blind and visually impaired, with a particular emphasis on banknote size changes, and on implementation, operational, timing and security considerations relating to any proposal deemed feasible, and
• Phase 3 will provide an economic analysis of feasible design changes identified in phase 2 and other technological solutions such as hand-held readers. It will examine the cost to the public and private sectors and the effectiveness of these solutions.

When will the next currency redesign be unveiled and issued?
The new $20 note entered circulation on October 9, 2003, the new $50 note entered circulation on September 28, 2004, and the new $10 note entered circulation on March 2, 2006. The redesigned $5 note is expected to be issued in early 2008 with the $100 note to follow. For more information about the new currency designs, go to the New Color of Money area of our website.

Will there be a recall or devaluation of the older-series notes?
There will be no recall or devaluation of the older-series notes, which will be removed from circulation as they wear out. Older worn notes will be replaced with the new bills.

What's the largest sheet of uncut currency I can buy?
The 32-note sheet of uncut currency is the largest size available. The largest denomination sheets that are available are the 16-note $20 sheets. We also sell $1, $2 and $5 denomination sheets.

What is the weight of a currency note?
The approximate weight of a currency note, regardless of denomination is (1) one gram. There are 454 grams in one (1) U.S. pound, therefore, there should be 454 notes in (1) one pound (Avoirdupois system). If the troy system were used, there are (12) twelve ounces in (1) one pound; therefore, if one note weighs approximately (1) one gram, then (1) troy pound contains approximately 375 notes.

What was the highest denomination note ever printed?
The largest note ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed from December 18, 1934 through January 9, 1935 and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. The notes were used for transactions between FRBs and were not circulated among the general public.

Why were certain individuals chosen to be pictured on our paper currency?
The Secretary of the Treasury selects the designs shown on United States currency and coinage. Unless specified by an Act of Congress, the Secretary generally has the final approval. This is done with the advice of Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) officials for currency or the United States Mint officials for coins. In addition, the Commission on Fine Arts reviews all of the designs.

The law prohibits portraits of living persons from appearing on Government Securities. Therefore, the portraits on our currency notes and coins are of deceased persons whose places in history the American people know well. The designs shown on our coins have changed at different times for different denominations.

The basic face and back designs of all denominations of our paper currency in circulation today were selected in 1928. A committee appointed to study such matters made those choices. The only exception is the reverse design of the one-dollar bill. Unfortunately, however, our records do not suggest why certain Presidents and statesmen were chosen for specific denominations.
List of Individuals and Images on Currency

I have some currency that was damaged. My bank will not exchange it for undamaged currency. What can I do?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing's (BEP) Office of Currency Standards processes all requests for reimbursement for damaged United States currency. They decide the redemption value of torn or otherwise unfit currency by measuring the portions of the notes submitted. Generally, they reimburse the full face value if clearly more than one-half of the original note remains. Currency fragments measuring less than one-half are not redeemable. Go to the Shredded & Mutilated section of our website for additional information and the procedures to redeem mutilated currency.

I have a $1,000 currency note from the Bank of the United States. It is dated December 15, 1840 and has the serial number "8894." Can you tell me what it is worth now and where I can cash it in?
This currency note from the Bank of the United States is something that we have seen in the past. Our office receives many inquiries concerning the authenticity of these notes.

It is important to note, first, that the Treasury Department did not issue notes intended for circulation as currency until 1862. This being the case, these notes are not obligations of the United States Government. brief history

It is likely, though, that the note is part of a series of antiqued reproductions issued in various denominations and forms for use in advertising campaigns. The most popular of these bear the serial number 8894. These notes are so widespread that they were the subject of an August 5, 1970, article in the monthly numismatic publication, COIN WORLD

Why does my $5 note have a red seal?
United States Notes contain red seals, and were last printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1968. The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act, Public Law 103-325, codified at 31 U.S.C. 5119(b)(2), enacted in September 1994, amended 31 U.S.C. by canceling the requirement to reissue these notes when they are redeemed.

If genuine and in good condition, United States Notes may be of interest to collectors. The names and addresses of collectors and dealers are usually listed in the classified section of the telephone directory under the headings of "Coins" and "Hobbies."