Who Are The Presidents on U.S. Currency?
Teach Your Child ABout Money: The PResidents on U.S. Bills and Coins
Updated June 15, 2023
We handle cash on the regular, but do we know about the presidents whose faces grace the coins and bills we exchange for goods and services, or dole out for allowance?
Team BT looks at the coins and bills that preserve the legacy of some of the pivotal figures who shaped the country as we know it today.
The Presidents on U.S. Coins
Penny
Who: Abe Lincoln sure makes for a pretty penny. The profile of President Abraham Lincoln has graced the penny since 1909, a century after the birth of our 16th president.
Why: As the President leading the country through the Civil War, Lincoln ultimately helped bring an end to slavery through his Emancipation Proclamation. His penny boasts the Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum," or "One out of many." (Curiously, Lincoln is the only president who faces right on a coin.)
Nickel
Who: Thomas Jefferson’s visage has marked the face of this five-cent coin since 1938, while a depiction of his home in Monticello is shown on the back.
Why: Jefferson’s coin was designed by winner Felix Schlag as part of a competition held by the U.S. Mint that aimed to replace the Buffalo nickel. The nickel wasn’t even Jefferson’s first foray on US currency, as his image appeared on the face of the $2 bill in 1869.
Dime
Who: President Franklin D. Roosevelt replaced Lady Liberty on the dime in the year following his death in 1945.
Why: Although FDR was known for navigating the country through the darkest days of the Great Depression and World War II, the Roosevelt dime was actually released in honor of his fight against polio (a disease that left him wheelchair-bound for much of his life).
Quarter
Who: George Washington, the nation’s first president, has been featured on the quarter since 1932, in commemoration of his 200th birthday. Since 1999, the reverse side of the quarter honors the 50 states, national parks and other important American sites.
Why: As one of the most popular U.S. presidents in history, Washington led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and oversaw the Constitutional Convention.
The Presidents (and non-Presidents) on U.S. Bills
$1 Dollar Bill
Who: George Washington was clearly a popular guy at the US Mint. He’s also featured on the front of the $1 bill in a likeness based on painter Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum Portrait. The back of the $1 bill displays the Great Seal of the United States.
Why: As a Founding Father and the nation’s first president, George Washington played a pivotal role in shaping not only the presidency, but also the country as we know it. We’d say he earned his spot on both a coin and a bill.
$10 Dollar Bill
Who: The country’s first Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, is only one of two non-Presidents to be featured on American paper currency (our main man, Ben Franklin, is on the $100). Hamilton has graced the $10 bill since 1929, and his likeness is based on a portrait John Trumbull painted in 1805.
Why: As the first Treasury Secretary under President George Washington, Alexander Hamilton shaped the American financial system in profound ways. In 2015, however, it was announced that Hamilton was getting replaced by a woman on the $10 bill. But after the debut of Lin-Manual Miranda’s hit Broadway show, Hamilton, the former statesman’s popularity sky-rocketed and the government decided he could keep his spot on the bill.
$20 Dollar Bill
Who: In the ultimate irony, President Andrew Jackson once sought to abolish paper money…and now he’s the face of the $20 bill. His portrait marks the front of the popular bill and the White House is seen on the reverse.
Why: President Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland in 1928 on the $20 bill. But Jackson’s time as the star of the $20 is coming to an end…abolitionist Harriet Tubman is set to replace him in the coming years.
$50 Dollar Bill
Who: Ulysses S. Grant is the face on the $50 bill. Grant served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. Prior to his presidency, Grant played a vital role in leading the Union Army to victory in the Civil War as the Commanding General. His strategic military abilities and determination were instrumental in the Union's success.
Why: President Grant's inclusion on the $50 bill is a recognition of his significant contributions to American history, both as a military leader and as a president who navigated the challenges of a post-war nation.
$100 Dollar Bill
Who: Benjamin Franklin is currently featured on design of the United States $100 bill. Franklin is the only other non-President featured on U.S. Currency (Hamilton is on the $10). Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and played a crucial role in drafting important documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. He also wrote The Way to Wealth, and was a prominent inventor, scientist, and writer, known for his experiments with electricity and his discoveries in the field.
Why: Franklin was chosen to be on the $100 bill for his significant contributions to society, his intellect, and his dedication to the principles of freedom and knowledge.
Need Coin Recognition Practice?
Want a fun and easy activity to help your kiddos with coin recognition? Check out our post on Instagram for an easy activity that is the perfect introduction to coin recognition!
Get your little ones learning about the different attributes in coins. Simply tape coins to a table and lay white paper on top and rub each coin with a crayon. When your done see if your child can match each coin on the picture. This activity will spark lots of conversation about the different size, names and pictures on coins and it is FUN!
Who is your favorite president or figure on a bill or coin? Why?