The US dollar is considered a world currency; most economies are “tied” to its exchange rate. It is used for mutual settlements in international trade. Depreciation has more than once led to crises, not only in the States, but also in other countries. It will be interesting to know what the largest banknote was printed in America.

US dollar denominations

Only those who are interested in numismatics or are specifically interested in this issue are well aware of the currencies of different countries. For most people, it is usually enough to know about the world quote and the current exchange rate of the most popular currencies. Or information about the relationship between the exchange rate and the country where you plan to travel on vacation or on a business trip.

For example, not everyone knows what the largest American dollar bill is. Several attempts to exchange $1 million were recorded in Russia. If you think that banknotes with this denomination do not exist, then you are mistaken. They really exist, but in very limited quantities and not for payment. How can this be? After all, that’s what money was created for! As it turns out, there are exceptions to every rule, and this is just such a case. Therefore, it is worth finding out what is wrong with some American banknotes, and what denominations are the largest and actually exist.

For foreign countries

For circulation in foreign countries, the largest dollar bill is the 100 dollar bill. These are the peculiarities of US legislation: money with a face value above $100 is prohibited from being exported to other countries. Both in the States and abroad, $1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 are in circulation. It would be fair to note that the “weave” is not only the largest, but also the most popular.

Interesting to know: many have heard of $2, but they are unlikely to ever see it in free circulation. This applies to both foreigners and Americans. A two-dollar bill has numismatic value; its real value is much higher than the indicated denomination.

Inside the country

If the “hundred” is the largest banknote in circulation (even in America itself), this does not mean that the dollar does not have a higher denomination. It’s just that they are practically never found and are gradually being withdrawn from circulation by banks. At different times, the most “big money” was considered:

• $500: in 1928-1945 they were in active circulation. They are printed with the image of the 25th President of America, William McKinley. BUT! This applies only to the 1934 series. Earlier issues are of particular value to collectors, because this denomination was printed back in 1870 in the state of North Carolina.

• $1,000: It features an effigy of Stephen Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th-term president, the only one to serve intermittently. According to some sources, there are only 165 thousand-dollar bills in circulation or in hand. Collectors are also hunting for them. Although they are not the most valuable. Banknotes issued earlier are unique. For example, 1890. It is decorated with a portrait of General George Gordon Meade. There are only two of these left, and the fate of one is unknown, and the second was seized by the Federal Reserve Bank. In 2006, at an auction, a valuable copy was sold for 2 million 225 thousand dollars. There was also an 1880 issue with New York State Mayor and U.S. Senator DeWitt Clinton on the front. It is estimated at more than one hundred thousand, although no recent purchases have been recorded.

• $5000: on the obverse - 4th President James Maddison, 342 copies from this batch have not been withdrawn from free circulation. They are sometimes sold at auctions, and relatively inexpensively - “only” for 10 thousand. There is also a 1934 series featuring Philander Chase. There is evidence that it was he who gave the characteristic black and green colors to the world-famous currency while working at the US Treasury (from the mid-19th century he worked there as first secretary).

• $10,000: this is the largest dollar banknote in real circulation, only 336 pcs. currently left on hand. This is a banknote issued in 1944 (last printing) with a portrait of a major political figure, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and head of the Department of the Treasury, Samuel Chase. This Chase is known for participating in the signing of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776. There is also an 1870 issue with Andrew Jackson, the 7th President.

Nowadays, the largest banknotes existing in the States are more a collector's item than a real means of payment. Their nominal value is incomparable with the real one. Therefore, tickets with this denomination are unlikely to be seen in everyday life. But if someone is lucky, then you should not exchange such a banknote; collectors are literally “hunting” for them and are ready to pay!

Money is “not for people”

For domestic transactions, the largest real (that is, secured and solvent) American bill is $100,000 from the infamous 1934-1935 issue. with Woodrow Wilson, 28th President, on the obverse. The issue of 42 thousand copies coincided with the Great Depression. They were used for intrabank mutual settlements and in settlements with the Treasury. The main part of the circulation was soon destroyed; in theory, they should not be on hand. The fact is that their possession is punishable under US law. Although no one (except bank employees) has ever held or seen banknotes of such denomination, $100,000 still remains the most expensive not only in the States, but also in the world.

It is interesting that the most expensive banknote, even at the time of its creation, was characterized as “exorbitant money.” At that time, the state of the economy was so deplorable that there was simply no point in putting it into circulation: people would not have had enough funds to buy it back.

Looks like money

Now back to the 1 million note. Was she there or not? Its release actually took place in 1998. But the initiator of its creation was not the government or the banks that have the right to do so. $1,000,000 was issued by a private individual and therefore has nothing to do with real money. But the history of its appearance is quite interesting.

Entrepreneur Teri Steward initiated the release of this souvenir for the rich. He created the International Association of Millionaires and officially registered the organization according to all the rules. The richest people from all over the world were invited and included. They were united by the idea of ​​financial independence. And the printed souvenir became like an “entrance ticket” that had to be purchased as a symbol of membership in the Association.

Teri approached the issue creatively and quite seriously. The sample was $10,000, but instead of a portrait of a real politician or president (and this is one of the signs of real money), the Statue of Liberty, the famous symbol of the United States, was depicted. Moreover, in order not to mislead people about the solvency of a million, the inscription was printed on the reverse side: This certificate is backed and secured only by confidence in the American Dream. Literally translated: This certificate is guaranteed only by belief in the American Dream.

High-quality paper with several degrees of protection was used for printing:

• microfonts;
• metallographic printing;
• micronodes;
• serial number;
• ultraviolet marks.

In general, the signs of the reality of “money” are quite serious. Albeit with the signature of Teri himself, the ideological developer of the souvenir. Moreover, the order was fulfilled not by a private printing house, but by a banking company that has the right to issue real banknotes. After the required number of millions had been printed, all the clichés were destroyed.

In 1990, the sale of “membership tickets” began. The starting price was only $200, but as there was demand (and there was some!), the cost increased and reached $9,500 per ticket. At the moment, the Association periodically sells its souvenir products. Moreover, each time it is stated that this issue is exactly the last of the reserves that have been preserved since the printing of the edition. Whether this is true or not is not known for certain. But since its peak value, the “million” has fallen sharply in price.

American dollars are the most common currency in the world. The dollar not only acts as a reserve currency in most countries of the world, but also in some countries, besides America, it is a national currency. The countries where this monetary unit is in circulation include East Timor and Zimbabwe, Ecuador and Panama, El Salvador and the island countries of the Caribbean Sea and Oceania. Each state has its own compelling reasons for using the dollar as its main currency. We can talk about the lack of funds in East Timor to create its own money and about global hyperinflation in Zimbabwe.

What types of banknotes are there?

Today in circulation you can find dollar bills in denominations of 1 and 2, 5 and 10, 20 and 50, 100. Coins in denominations of 1 and 5, 10 and 25, 50 cents are common. The one dollar coin is popular. The rarest bill is considered to be 2 dollars. According to official reports, 2.5 billion copies were issued in 2009, and today the circulation does not exceed 44 million banknotes. The situation has led to the myth that the $2 bill is rare. In fact, the Americans recognized its use for mutual settlements as inconvenient. As a result, the banknote began to be collected, and its presence in the wallet began to be perceived as a symbol of good luck. The most popular bills in the world are 100 dollar bills. This is what led to the emergence of a large number of counterfeits of this particular banknote.

What does a $1 bill look like?

All dollar bills have their own unique design. For example, on the $1 bill you can see the image of George Washington. The Great Seal of America is located on the reverse side of the currency. The banknote was introduced into circulation in 1862. On the first money there was an image of Salmon Chase, who at that time served as head of the Ministry of Finance. The familiar image of Washington has graced banknotes since 1869. Every day, about 35 million dollars in $1 denominations are destroyed on Federal Reserve machines due to wear and tear, indicating widespread use of the currency by citizens of the country. A similar amount of banknotes are printed daily.

The Interesting and Fascinating History of the $2 Bill

The 2 dollar bill appeared at the same time as its one dollar counterpart, but already in 1966 its production was stopped until 1976. The front of the note features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, and the reverse side features the Declaration of Independence. Many people wonder how much a $2 bill is worth, as they consider it rare. In fact, a huge supply of banknotes of this denomination is located in the Federal Treasury. The lack of demand for the monetary unit as a means of payment eliminates the need for its additional issue. In the past, no one was interested in the question of how much a $2 bill was worth, since it was considered unlucky. There was no place for it in cash registers of the past. It was these facts that became the root cause of the formation of many signs associated with the banknote.

What do $5 and $10 bills look like?

Dollar bills with a denomination of 5 banknotes are more in demand than 1 and 2 dollars. The front of the banknote is decorated with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. On the reverse side you can see his memorial. It was decided to place the image of Alexander Hamilton on the 10 dollar bill, who, like Benjamin Franklin, was not the President of the United States. On the reverse side of the bill you can see the US Department of the Treasury. Today, America's presidents are depicted on American money. At the beginning of the 20th century, the same banknotes were decorated on one side with a portrait of William McKinley, who served as the 25th President of America, and on the other side there was an image of a bison.

What do $20 and $50 bills look like?

Almost all issued US dollars are widely used in circulation. 20-currency bills account for about 11% of all American money. The front part of the banknote is decorated with a portrait of Andrew Jackson, who served as the seventh President of America. The back of the banknote features the facade of the White House. To this day, it remains unknown why in 1928 the decision was made to replace the image of President Cleveland with a portrait of Jackson. An interesting fact is that it is Jackson who is known in history as the most ardent opponent of the Bank of the United States and banknotes as such. In addition to paper money, in the period from 1849 to 1933. There were also twenty dollar coins in circulation, which were minted by mints. Among people the name "double eagle" was used. One of the largest bills was the $50 bill. It features an image of President Ulysses S. Grant and features the United States Capitol on the back of the note.

100 dollar bill: a look into history

Dollar bills with denominations of one hundred monetary units first appeared in the United States in 1862. The banknotes were decorated with a bald eagle, which was considered to be the national bird of the country. Benjamin Franklin's portrait did not always adorn the front of banknotes. Before his appearance, the front of the banknote featured images of Oliver Perry and David Farragut, James Monroe, who became the fifth President of the United States, and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of America. Franklin's image first appeared on a banknote only in 1914. He is known not only as the head of state, but also as a scientist, who has written many scientific works on the spread of paper money.

Starting in the 1920s, the size of the banknote was reduced by 30%. This made it possible to produce dollar bills with lower production costs. Money issued in 1923 and later bears certain similarities to modern banknotes. The last new $100 bill appeared in 2013. Its characteristic feature was its color and numerous protective signs. Until 2013, changes in the design of the banknote were carried out in 1991, 1996 and in the 2000s. Systematic changes in the design of banknotes are associated with the spread of counterfeit money.

Banknotes of other denominations

The $100 was not always the largest bill in America. Since 1918, the Federal system has been issuing other banknotes: 500 dollars and 1000, 5 thousand and 10 thousand. 10,000 dollars have never been a full-fledged means of payment and already in 1934 they acquired the form of a certificate. The banknote was used for mutual settlements between treasuries and the Federal system. The history of large bills ended in 1969, when President Richard Nixon completely banned the printing of bills with denominations greater than one hundred dollars. At the moment, dollars whose denominations exceed 100 are a collectible value. They are sold for much more than their actual nominal cost. Thus, today there are no more than 130 10 thousand banknotes. Large denomination banknotes are still valid.

Rare money

Rare money with a denomination of more than 100 also depicts presidents. The $500 note features a portrait of William McKinley, America's 25th President. Thousand dollar bills featured portraits of the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland. On the five thousand dollar banknotes you can see the image of James Madison, the 4th President of America. Since 1957, at the initiative of Salmon Chase, a new inscription has adorned the dollar. Photos of banknotes clearly show that since 1963 the expression “We trust in God” began to be used constantly when printing banknotes. The image of the 28th President Woodrow Wilson was placed on the famous $100 thousand banknote. The banknote was initially aimed at internal settlements of the US Federal Reserve and was never used in free circulation.

Is there a million dollar bill?

Among the banknotes of America you can also find such a banknote as a US dollar bill. The money was printed at the mint and meets all the requirements for the generally accepted monetary units of the country. These banknotes do not take part in circulation and do not carry any nominal value. The idea of ​​creating a banknote appeared in March 1987. Of the 17 major investors, only Teri Stewart managed to complete the deal. The development of the banknote design and its release lasted for 18 months. Money was printed on Banknote Multi Colors, the largest and most complex press. The latest anti-counterfeit measures were used: microfont, fluorescent inscriptions, and specialized paper composition. The press and all the developments and clichés were completely destroyed after this legendary dollar was released. Photos of banknotes are the only opportunity for most people to look at this creation. The output volume was 825 thousand banknotes and 700 uncut sheets. The cost of the banknote today hardly reaches $100 per unit, and it itself is considered a simple collector's item.

A little history

US dollars, one of the most common banknotes in the world, appeared long before the “$” sign itself, which is already more than five hundred years old. The word "dollar" is a modified "thaler". After the declaration of American independence, the use of English monetary units of that time in circulation simply did not make sense. In 1972, America's first mint in Philadelphia began minting coins. Paper banknotes appeared even earlier, in 1785. Money acquired its modern appearance with the appearance of the inscription “In God We Trust” on it in 1957.

Design development and its official approval

The new dollar bill appeared in 2013, but the roots of the creation of the monetary unit go back to 1928. In accordance with the law, it was at that time that it was customary to place portraits of American presidents on the front side of banknotes, and images of historical places on the reverse side. Throughout the history of American money, it has been actively protected from counterfeiters and their counterfeits. This policy continues today, and clear evidence of this is the new $100 bill with no less than 13 proprietary security features. Today, only one company produces paper for printing banknotes. The company is prohibited from selling it to anyone other than the federal authorities of America. The paint formula is a state secret of the Bureau of America and the Press. Since 1990, banknotes protected by microprints and security threads have been issued.

Protective marks and production volumes

Every day in America, 35 million banknotes of various denominations are issued. The total amount of banknotes issued is $635 million. Almost 95% of new notes issued are intended to replace worn-out banknotes. In 2005, the cost of issuing one currency unit was only 5.7 cents. Modern banknotes without reference to denomination are issued in one size. Surface signs of money protection are watermarks and security threads, microprints and thin concentric threads, paint that can change its color. Each banknote has a protective magnetic strip interspersed with different colors. The government is trying its best to protect its currency as best as possible. To this end, the latest banknote issued is designed in a new color tone and is equipped with security features that were uncharacteristic of early times. A very interesting fact is that the American leadership never took measures to strengthen its monetary unit; its value, almost always quite high, was and is regulated by the world market.

One of the main world currencies is the US dollar, because most international financial transactions are carried out in this currency. In addition, US dollars have an interesting and rich history, we will definitely talk about this further. We will also consider the question of what dollar bills exist, their denomination, what is shown and the photo.

About foreign currency

First, let's look at where the word dollar came from. Oddly enough, the story goes back to Germany in the 16th century; it was in the German city of Joachimsthal that silver coins called “thaler” began to be minted. These coins were used not only by the Germans, but also by the Dutch, and subsequently all silver coins were called “thaler.” In the United States of America, coins appeared along with settlers during the colonization of North America.

The very concept of the dollar, which, it is not difficult to guess, comes from the word “thaler,” appeared after the War of Independence, it took place from 1775 to 1783, but according to some sources, the dollar appeared in the USA in 1785. Undoubtedly, since that time foreign currencies have undergone many changes, namely their denomination and design. In addition, the first dollars were only metal coins, and only later began to be issued as paper bills. Let's consider the denominations of US dollar bills that exist today.

An interesting fact: in the United States until 61 of the 19th century there was no Central Bank, that is, no one regulated the issue of funds. With the outbreak of the Civil War, the government decided to issue new banknotes; the government order went to the American Bank Note Co. The total amount of cash was $60 million, and the denominations of the bills were $5, $10 and $20. Accordingly, a huge number of banknotes had to be produced. Representatives of the company approached the issue of designing new money in the following way: they conducted an audit of the warehouse and found out that they had the most green paint. That is why, to this day, US dollar banknotes are made in green, but, fortunately, since those times, the denomination of dollar bills has become somewhat more diverse.

Please note that today there are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollar bills in circulation.

1 US dollar

The smallest paper bill in the United States is $1. Size 155.9 by 66.3 mm, Valid for 22 months. The front side of the banknote depicts a portrait of George Washington, who was the first President of the United States, during his reign 1789-1797. It is worth noting that the image is made as a relief, and on the left side of the portrait is the seal of the United States Department of the Treasury. By the way, this seal consists of scales, which mean justice, as well as 13 stars, which symbolize the number of first states. The number 1789 is the year the Ministry was founded.

On the back of the $1 bill is the word ONE, which means one in English. On the sides there is an image of the large US seal, which confirms the authenticity of government documents. The front side of the seal is the head of an eagle, on the reverse side is a pyramid, which is crowned with an eye. Above the logo are the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST, which literally means “In God We Trust,” and below it THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, which means the United States of America.

Please note that the current banknote was issued in 1935 by order of President Roosevelt.

2 dollar bill

Thomas Jefferson is depicted on the front of this note., who was a Revolutionary War figure, was also the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president, who reigned from 1801 to 1809. The reverse side features John Trumbull's painting of the Declaration of Independence. By the way, it is worth noting that this bill is issued extremely rarely and accounts for only 1% per year of the total volume of issued funds. Also, it is practically not used in circulation.

Modern banknotes have been in circulation since 2003.

5 dollar bill

This monetary unit is entirely dedicated to the 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, during his reign from 1861 to 1865. It is worth noting that Lincoln is a very significant figure in the history of the United States, because the years of his reign fell on the bloodiest times in history, namely the Civil War. After all, according to historical data, this man prevented the collapse of the country, abolished slavery and carried out many government reforms, including in the banking system. It is worth talking about the murder of this president; he died on April 14, 1865 at the play “Our American Cousin” at the Ford Theater; the killer was the actor of this play, John Wilkes Booth, who entered the presidential box and shot the president in the head. The next morning, without regaining consciousness, he died.

Let's get back to the question of who is on the $5 bill. This is President Abraham Lincoln. There is a portrait of him on the front side and a memorial on the back side. This is a building complex, which is located in the center of Washington on the National Mall. It was erected in 1922 in honor of the 16th president of America, it is a symbol of the freedom of the people of America. The banknote is valid for 16 months.

Please note that all American bills have a standard size of 155.956 by 66.294 mm.

10 US dollars

Now let's look at who is on the $10 bill. This banknote is entirely dedicated to the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America, Alexander Hamilton, who headed the Department in 1789. In his country, he became famous for initiating the creation of the US Central Bank, and was also the author of foreign trade policy, which means limiting the import of imported goods and increasing the volume of domestic production.

Thus, on the outside of the bill there is a portrait of this statesman, the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. The reverse side shows the building of the Ministry of Finance. In addition, there is an interesting fact that by 2020 a new $10 banknote is expected, which will feature the face of an unknown woman, a decision made in 2015. And in 2016 it was canceled for the reason that Hamilton is a popular person in his country who has contributed to US history.

Valid for 18 months.

20 dollars

Who is on the $20 bill? The design of this banknote is dedicated to the seventh President of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson, and accordingly, his portrait is depicted on the front side. The peculiarity of this person is that this person has Irish roots. President Jackson was elected twice, serving from 1829 to 1837. It was during his reign that the American economy flourished and the country returned to the gold standard. So, on the front side of the banknote there is a portrait of the 7th President of the United States, and on the reverse side is the façade of the White House from 16th Avenue, A photo of a $20 bill is shown below.

Valid for 24 months.

50 dollars

Who is on the $50 bill? The obverse of the note features a portrait of the 18th President of the United States, Willis Grant, from 1869 to 1877. His image has appeared on banknotes since 1913, and on the reverse side is the seat of the US Congress, this is the Capitol, located in Washington on Capitol Hill. The banknote underwent the last changes in 2006 and remains in circulation to this day. The volume in the US financial market is 6%. A photo of a $50 bill is shown below.

Valid for 55 months.

100 dollars

Currently, the largest US banknote is the $100 bill. The largest US dollar bill to date is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, he was a scientist and politician, as well as a diplomat, writer, journalist, and publisher. He is one of the few who affixed his signature to three important historical documents, namely the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Treaty of Versailles of 1783. Since 1914, his portrait has adorned the $100 bill, and the reverse side depicts Independence Hall, the building in Philadelphia on Independence Square where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed in 1776.

Valid for 89 months.

An interesting fact is that 100 dollars is not the largest denomination in the United States, but the denominations of dollar bills 500, 1000, 10000 and 100000 are no longer issued, although they can be found in circulation, they are also accepted as a payment instrument. What was shown on them:

• $500 President William McKinley;
• $1,000 Grover Cleveland;
• $10,000 Salmon Chase;
• $100,000 Woodrow Wilson;

Security elements of dollar bills

Here we will consider not only which signs indicate the authenticity of banknotes, but also some features that unite banknotes of all denominations of the American dollar. By the way, there are several signs by which you can determine authenticity without the help of ultraviolet light; we focus on them.
The first sign of authenticity is high-quality paint, thanks to which the banknotes have a high degree of wear resistance. If you want to check the authenticity of a banknote, then just wipe it with your finger: on original banknotes, abrasions are not visible, the paint also does not remain on the skin, otherwise, this is a fake.

Please note that all banknotes are painted with a special paint that shimmers and changes shades from green to black when the paper is turned at different angles.

Another feature is that all banknotes are printed on paper that is 25% linen and 75% cotton. Accordingly, it is not similar to the paper on which books and other printed publications are printed. It feels very much like material to the touch, so it is difficult to tear. If you want to make sure that what you have in front of you are genuine banknotes, just pull it in different directions, and you will notice that it is elastic and durable, so you will have to make some effort to tear it.

There are several more features that will help you distinguish the original from the fake. First of all, it lies in the fact that the original banknotes are interspersed with silk threads; they are so thin that they resemble hairs. Moreover, they are not pasted on top of the paper, but rather pass through it. You can carefully pull them out with a thin needle without damaging the surface of the bill. Counterfeits are often made of low-quality paper, and these same strips of paper are glued on top of them, so they can be easily distinguished.

The last feature is that if you look at the bill through the light, you will see a duplicate of the portrait depicted on its front side. The fact is that it is not drawn on the surface of the paper, but is located, as it were, inside and therefore can be seen when the bill is visible on both sides.

So, we have looked at what types of US dollar bills there are. As you can see, this currency has several of its own characteristics and differences, as well as history. Each American bill is dedicated to a historical event, as well as a person associated with it. It is worth noting that the Americans approached the issue of protecting their banknotes from counterfeiting quite intelligently.

Everyone knows that the largest dollar bill is $100, but few people know that there are much larger bills than $100. Today we will show you the largest denominations of dollar bills.

All of the dollar bills below are very real. They were never in public circulation and were often used for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. After the advent of electronic money, many of these dollar bills became unnecessary, since it was much easier to transfer money electronically, but still some of them remain to this day.

$1,000,000 bill

Only a few copies of these bills were issued and each of these bills has a face value of 1 million US dollars. The level of protection for this banknote is maximum, namely: special paper, intaglio printing, microfont, micropatterns, ultraviolet marks, etc.

This banknote was issued in 1988. Why create such large bills? Once upon a time, on April 20, 1987, a certain Tari Steward registered the International Association of Millionaires. This organization was supposed to unite millionaires in one place to gain complete financial independence. Then Steward came up with this bill; it was like a pass to this organization. The basis was a $10,000 bill.

Despite its loud inscription “1 Million Dollars,” this bill is a simple souvenir. These banknotes are collector's items. When the organization disbanded, the bills were sold at auction starting at $100, but the price rose to $9,500 each. It is unknown how much such a bill is worth now.

$100,000 bill

US$100,000 notes have never been in public circulation. These bills were used exclusively for transactions between banks.

$10,000 bill

This bill depicts a statesman from the American Civil War, Samon Portland Chase. He actively opposed slavery, fought against the political influence of rich people, and was also the Supreme Judge of the United States.

$5000 bill

These are some of the most interesting banknotes. The $5,000 bill is still in circulation. You can put it in a bank as a deposit or take out a loan for it, but of course, no one does this, because such banknotes have much greater value than their face value and are a collector's item. By the way, the 4th US President James Madison is depicted on the bill.

$1000 bill

This bill depicts the only US President who served two terms as President - Stephen Grover Cleveland. In the entire history of all US presidents, no one else has managed to hold the post of president for 2 terms. True, he held them with a break for one presidential term. In 1969, such banknotes began to be withdrawn from circulation.

$500 bill

This bill depicts the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. Such money was in circulation from 1934 to 1945. Nowadays such a banknote is difficult to find, but it can be found among collectors. Also, if you present it to the exchange points, it will be valid.

It is a well-known fact that US currency is issued in denominations (not counting coins) of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, but this does not mean that other banknotes do not exist. In this material we will talk about larger bills, the denomination of which reaches 100 thousand dollars.

The issuance by the Federal Reserve Fund (an organization that performs the functions of a state bank in the United States) of bills with a face value of over $100 was due to various events in the history of the country in the first half of the 20th century. Thus, the rise of organized crime, the “Great Depression,” inflation, World War II and other factors contributed to a more active movement of large amounts of money between those in power, oligarchs, and bandits.

When mentioning such American bills, they usually mean banknotes issued in large quantities in 1918, 1928 and 1934; the remaining scanty circulations are almost completely withdrawn from circulation and can only appear as very expensive lots at large auctions. There were also many different certificates with denominations over $100 (mostly from 1880 - 1895), but all of them have only bonistic value at the moment and most are irretrievably lost.

Nowadays, large monetary transactions are carried out without the use of cash, so it does not make sense to issue such banknotes, but at the same time, all the bills listed below still have purchasing power. In theory, any of them, except for the 100,000th one, can be paid in the United States (the export of these banknotes outside the United States is prohibited).

500 dollars

The largest batch of such banknotes was issued in 1918. At that time, the amount of $500 in one piece of paper for an ordinary citizen was very substantial; such money was used mainly by the heads of various criminal organizations. At the moment, almost all 500-dollar bills have been taken out of circulation or are in private collections; the cost of such a banknote at auction can reach up to 5 thousand dollars or more.

The $500 bills were issued in the following versions:

1891 (depicting American politician and military leader William Sherman)

1918 (depicting US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall)

1934 (depicting the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley).

1000 dollars

Quite a lot of such banknotes were issued, especially during the “Great Depression,” when wealthy citizens used them to store large sums. According to the US Federal Reserve, as of 2009, people still had about 165 thousand $1,000 bills in their hands.

Most often these are banknotes with the image of the first US Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, issued in 1918.

and with a portrait of General Moses Cleaveland from 1934.

There are also particularly valuable specimens. For example, in 2006, a bill known in numismatist circles as “The Grand Watermelon” was sold at auction in Texas for $2,255,000. This is an 1890 General George Gordon Meade banknote.

5000 dollars

Aside from the various gold certificates and interest-bearing notes that were popular in the late 19th century, the introduction of the $5,000 bill dates back to 1918, when 18,168 standard-size bills were issued featuring President James Madison's portrait.

In 1934, another 54,132 banknotes with the same image on the obverse were issued, and as of 2014, the number of surviving banknotes is estimated at 150-200 pieces.

$10,000

The only surviving version of this bill is the 1918 version featuring Samuel Chase, Secretary of the Treasury and then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during Lincoln's presidency. According to unofficial data, there are only a few copies of banknotes of the 1934 version in private collections; all the rest were destroyed by the Federal Reserve Bank.

1934 version of the $10,000 bill:

$100,000

This banknote was issued in 1934 and was never available for public use - it was used exclusively for interbank payments. It is noteworthy that the largest banknote in US history depicts Woodrow Wilson, the man who penned the Treaty of Versailles and the Charter of the League of Nations, and also created one very interesting organization in the United States - the Federal Reserve System.