Guide to Detecting Counterfeit US Dollar (USD) Bills

How to Identify Counterfeit USD ($) Currency Notes

When exchanging currency for your international trip, it’s important to ensure you’re not carrying counterfeit USD notes. According to the United States Department of the Treasury, approximately $70 million in counterfeit USD bills are in circulation. These fake bills can be difficult to detect and could lead to financial losses and other issues during your travels. This guide will help you know the key security features of genuine USD notes and how to easily spot a counterfeit note.

Key Security Features of Modern US Federal Reserve Notes

Watermarks:

A watermark is a faint image embedded within the paper during the manufacturing/ production process. It is visible from both sides of the bill when held up to a light source. For instance, the $5 bill features two watermarks: a large numeral 5 and a column of three smaller numeral 5s. On denominations of $10 and higher, the watermark typically matches the portrait on the bill.

Security Threads:

Security threads are embedded vertical strips woven into the fabric of the banknote paper. These threads are visible when the bill is held up to a light. Each denomination from $5 upwards also has a specific text on the thread (for example, "USA 5" on the $5 bill). Under UV light, the threads glow different colors: blue for $5, orange for $10, green for $20, yellow for $50, and pink for $100.

Color–Shifting Ink:

Color-shifting ink is another prominent security feature found on the lower right numeral on the front of $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills issued after 1996. This ink is designed to change color when the bill is tilted back and forth, typically shifting from copper to green, though note that the older bills may shift from green to black.

Microprinting:

Microprinting refers to the presence of tiny text visible only under magnification. This tiny text is incorporated in various locations on banknotes of $5 and higher, such as around the borders, surrounding the portrait, and even on the security threads. Common microprinted texts include "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "USA," and the denomination of the bill.

Raised Printing:

The printing of US currency employs a technique known as intaglio. The intaglio printing process imparts a slightly raised texture to genuine US currency. This is present across all denominations and can be felt by running a fingertip across the bill, particularly on newer notes and in areas with heavy ink concentration, like the portrait.

3D Security Ribbon:

The redesigned $100 bill (issued in 2013) incorporates an advanced security feature known as the 3D security ribbon. This blue ribbon is woven into the paper on the front of the bill and contains images of bells and the numeral "100" that move when the bill is tilted. This dynamic effect is difficult to replicate, offering enhanced security.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit USD Currency by Denomination

Every US dollar bill comes with its own set of security features, and knowing what to look for in each one makes spotting a fake a whole lot easier.

Denomination	Watermark(s)	Security Thread (UV Glow)	Color-Shifting Ink	Microprinting	3D Security Ribbon
$1	None	None	None	None	No
$2	None	None	None	None	No
$5	Large “5”, Three small “5”s	“USA 5” Blue	None	“Five Dollars”, “E Pluribus Unum”, “USA”, “USA FIVE”	No
$10	Alexander Hamilton	“USA TEN” + Flag (Orange)	Copper to Green	“THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA”, “TEN DOLLARS USA”, “USA 10”	No
$20	Alexander Hamilton	“USA TWENTY” + Flag (Orange)	Copper to Green	“THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA”, “TEN DOLLARS USA”, “USA 20”	No
$50	Ulysses S. Grant	"USA 50" + Flag (Yellow)	Copper to Green	"FIFTY", "USA", "50", "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"	No
$100	Benjamin Franklin	"USA 100" (Pink)	Copper to Green (Numeral & Bell)	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "USA 100", "ONE HUNDRED USA", small "100"s	Yes

The $1 Bill

The $1 bill features George Washington's portrait on the front side and the Great Seal of the United States on the back since 1963.
Security features include a black Federal Reserve Bank Seal on the left of the portrait, a green Treasury Seal on the right, and unique serial numbers (a combination of 11 numbers and letters), appearing twice on the front.
Genuine $1 bills also have raised printing that can be felt on the note’s surface along with red and blue security fibers embedded in the paper.
Note that the $1 bill does not have a watermark or a security thread.

The $2 Bill

The $2 bill features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front and a vignette depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back side.
Similar to the $1 bill, its security features include a black Federal Reserve Bank Seal and a green Treasury Seal, serial numbers, raised printing, and embedded red and blue security fibers.
Like the $1 bill, the $2 bill does not have a watermark or a security thread.
Another interesting point to note is that the design of the $2 bill has remained largely unchanged since 1976.

The $5 Bill

The modern $5 bill (post-2008 design) features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back.
Key security features include two watermarks: a large numeral 5 in the blank space to the right of the portrait and a column of three smaller numeral 5s to the left.
It also has an embedded security thread running vertically to the right of the portrait, which glows blue under UV light and has the letters "USA" followed by the numeral "5" printed on it.
Microprinting, featuring the words "FIVE DOLLARS" inside the left and right borders, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" at the top of the shield on the Great Seal, and "USA" between the columns of the shield, is also present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers can also be checked.
Note that the $5 bill does not have color-shifting ink.

The $10 Bill

The redesigned $10 bill (post-2006) features a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the front and the US Treasury Building on the back.
Security features include a watermark of Secretary Hamilton to the right of the portrait and an embedded security thread that glows orange under UV light, with "USA TEN" and a small flag printed on it.
The numeral 10 in the lower right corner on the front exhibits color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when the bill is tilted.
Microprinting, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TEN DOLLARS USA" below the portrait and inside the borders, and "USA 10" beneath the torch, is also present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers can also be checked.

The $20 Bill

The $20 bill (post-2003 design) features a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the front and the White House on the back.
Its security features include a watermark of President Jackson to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows green under UV light with "USA TWENTY" and a flag printed on it.
The numeral 20 in the lower right corner on the front has color-shifting ink that changes from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, featuring "USA20" within the numeral in the lower left corner and "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20" in the border below the Treasurer's signature, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also incorporated.

The $50 Bill

The $50 bill (post-2004 design) features a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the front and the United States Capitol on the back.
Its security features include a watermark of President Grant to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows yellow under UV light with "USA 50" and a flag printed on it.
The numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front exhibits color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, including "FIFTY," "USA," and "50" inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, "FIFTY" repeated within both side borders, and "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in President Grant's collar, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also present.
A large green numeral 50 is printed on the back to aid individuals with low vision.

The $100 Bill

The redesigned $100 bill (post-2013) features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front and Independence Hall on the back.
Its advanced security features include a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and "100"s that move when the bill is tilted.
It also has a watermark of Benjamin Franklin to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows pink under UV light with "USA 100" printed on it.
The numeral 100 in the lower right corner and the "Bell in the Inkwell" both exhibit color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on Franklin's jacket collar, "USA 100" around the watermark space, "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill, and small "100"s in the borders, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also there.
A large gold numeral 100 is printed on the back for those with visual impairments.

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