American five dollar bill - Definition and Overview

The U.S. five dollar bill ($5) is a denomination of United States currency. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is currently featured on the front side of the bill, while the Lincoln Memorial is featured on the reverse side.

The $5 bill is sometimes nicknamed a fin, although this usage is far less common today than it was in the early 20th century.

Five dollar bills are delivered by Federal Reserve Banks in red straps.

Obverse of the $5 bill (1928-2000)

Reverse of the $5 bill (1928-2000)

Pre-Federal Reserve history

• 1862: The first $5 note was printed with a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the right of the face.
• 1869: A new $5 note was printed with a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the left of the face.
• 1886: A silver certificate $5 note with a portrait of Ulysses Grant on the right of the face.
• 1896: A really unusual silver certificate $5 note in that (unlike other series of U.S. currency where the opposite is true) the designs were on the front and the portraits were on the back! The portraits were Ulysses Grant on the left and Phillip Sheridan on the right.
• 1899: A new silver certificate $5 note with a portrait of Running Antelope on the face.

An 1896 $5 Silver Note

Federal Reserve history

• 1914: Began as a large-sized note with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the face
• 1928: Switched to a small-sized note
• May 24 2000: Design changed to curb counterfeiting

External link

• The Currency Gallery: $5.00 Denomination (http://www.currencygallery.org/denoms/5dollar.htm)