Allegory
An allegory refers to an illustration commonly used as the main image, or vignette, on the face or occasionally on the back of a banknote. Many allegories can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one especially reflecting the time period. Several allegories may appear on a banknote.
One of the most iconic allegories used for American banknotes is The Pioneer Family, engraved by Henry Gugler, and more commonly known as “The Woodchopper”. [fig. A1] The image depicts a frontiersman in front of his home and wife who is holding their infant. He has an ax in hand but a rifle rests nearby with the family dog on alert. This allegory conveys the expansion of the American West. The allegory was first used on the Series 1869 $5 “Rainbow” Legal Tender Note [fig. A2] and continued being used on Series 1875, 1878, 1880 and 1907 with notes being issued as late as 1927 or 1928 with the Woods/White signatures.
Back Plate Number / Check Number
Numismatically known as a Check Number. A small number printed on the reverse that is usually found in the lower right area of U.S. notes. The number provides a cross-reference to the face Plate Number printed and recorded in combination with the reverse of a note.
Block Letters
Prefix and suffix letters combination of a serial number. For U.S. currency the far left letter correlates with the Series Year and the letter second from the left identifies the Federal Reserve District assigned number. The right letter represents a “block” which, for modern notes, will not exceed 96 million representing the quantity printed. If a Federal Reserve Bank requires additional notes the right block letter will change to B representing the second 96 million in the print run, C is the third print run and so on. The letter O is not used because of the similarity to zero and Z is reserved only for specimen and test printings. Note serial numbers above 96 million, such as 99 million are reserved for BEP souvenir uncut sheets of currency
World Block Letters Many world banknotes use fractional block letters and number combinations in serial numbers.
Bank of Canada Block Letters Modern Canadian banknotes serial numbers (on reverse) have three prefix block letters with no correlation to the amount printed.
Bronzing Powder
Used by the National Currency Bureau, the predecessor to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, as an anti-counterfeiting process used for U.S. Fractional Currency and Compound Interest Treasury Notes. A bronze powder was applied to notes that formed designs, patterns and lettering on both the face and reverse. Below 10¢ Fractional Currency Second Issue Fr. #1244SP Face (left) compared to a 10¢ Fractional Currency Second Issue Fr. #1248 Face (right) showing how the gold bronzing powder turns with the green patina from aging and exposure.
Clear Window
A transparent (clear) area created during the manufacturing process of the banknote substrate (polymer or paper), not covered with any coatings. The example below is the transparent background of the $10 Bank of Canada note upper left Maple Leaf design and the large, vertical holographic image security ribbon on the right.
Color Shifting Ink
U.S. currency uses color shifting ink as an anti-counterfeit measure applied to the lower right denomination on the face of most banknotes. When the note is turned at a 45° angle the color changes from green to gold to copper. The technology uses optically variable ink that reflects various wavelengths in white light differently, depending on the angle to the surface. This is only used for the $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.
Devices
Specific designs, symbols and images found on the face and back of a banknote such as Denomination (A), Portrait (B) Bank Block (C), Legal Obligation (D), and Vignette (E). Serial Numbers and Federal Reserve alpha/numeric identifiers are not considered devices.
District Number (Federal Reserve)
An identifier that appears on U.S. currency four times on the Face of $1 and $2 [fig.2] and once on the $5, $10, $20, $50 [fig.3] and $100 notes. The number corresponds with a letter for each of the 12 individual Federal Reserve Banks listed below. The District Number appears four times on the U.S. $1 and $2 banknote because, by Act of Congress, they have not been updated to the Colorized banknotes (beginning in 2004) of the $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations.
Embossed
Occurs during the Third Printing of U.S. currency when the Letterpress prints the two green serial numbers (1), the black universal Federal Reserve seal (2), the Federal Reserve identification number/letter (3) and the green Department of the Treasury seal (not depicted). The example in fig. below is not uncommon and is considered a well printed note. Note that Letterpress printing is a different process than Intaglio which is used on the 1ST and 2ND printing of U.S. currency.
Re- embossed: According to PMG Paper Money Guaranty®, re-embossing is seen where the printing process creates a “raised” surface on one side, usually on serial numbers and seals. Re-embossed describes when any part of the note has been traced over to give the appearance of natural embossing.
Engraving
A labor intensive process using fine lines and grooves cut into metal dies to create a design that becomes a three-dimensional engraving. Highly skilled engravers use tools (called Gravers) and acids to cut the plates with fine lines, dots and dashes that create the banknote plate. To further complicate the process engravers must cut the design in reverse to transfer the print to the cotton/linen “paper” currency.
Face (Front)
The front side of a note The term Face is the preferred term used by numismatists. The term equivalent for coins is obverse. Typically the face will have the main vignette or portrait, serial numbers, seals, the legal and financial obligations, and signatures.
Federal Reserve Seal
Positioned in the left center middle, left of the portrait the seal represents that the note has been issued from the Federal Reserve System. All other currency types have been issued by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Six Variations of the Federal Reserve District Seal The first seal used on the Series 1914 & 1918 large size Federal Reserve Notes (fig.2). Series 1928 & 1928A (fig.3) used a numeric identifier on the new small size notes but not on $50 or $100. The next seal changed to an alpha identifier (fig.4) for series 1928A, 1928B, 1928C & 1934. Series 1934B, 1934C & 1934D the word “The” was removed from “The Federal Reserve” (fig.5). Series 1950 saw a redesigned smaller, spiked seal (fig.6) that is still used to this day for $1 & $2 notes. With the Series 1996 redesign ($50, $100) and Series 1999 ($5, $10, $20) a new universal seal, without district identifier, city or state name was implemented (fig.7).
First Printing
For U.S currency the Bureau of Engraving & Printing considers the First Printing to be the printing of the back of the banknote. The Second Printing is the face of the banknote with only the "black" ink. The Third Printing is when the green serial numbers, the green U.S. Treasury Department Seal and the Federal Reserve District numeric identifier is printed for the $1 and $2.
Great Seal of the United States
Established as the national emblem in 1782. The obverse first appeared on U.S. paper money on the reverse of the Series 1907 $10 Gold Certificate (below). Since 1935 both sides have been depicted as the main vignettes of the back of the $1 bill. The obverse of the seal depicts a Bald Eagle holding olive branches in its right talon and arrows in its left, under 13 stars for the original colonies. The seal’s reverse is an unfinished pyramid signifying strength with room to expand. The obverse is used on official documents to authenticate the signature of the President and appears on government proclamations, warrants, treaties, and commissions of . The Great Seal's obverse also serves as the national coat of arms of the United States. The reverse is never used as a seal.
FDR, The Great Seal, and the Back of the $1 1935 Silver Certificate President Franklin D. Roosevelt's was a stamp collector and there were several times he sent suggestions to the U.S. Postal Service for stamp concepts. But in 1935 the 32nd President took it a step further. Below is an exerpt from a 1982 article from the Washington Post that relates to how the current U.S. one dollar bill got it’s back.
Former Vice-president Henry Wallace in 1951, recalled a curious episode in 1935 when the design for a new dollar bill attained Cabinet-level status. The new design proposed using the obverse and reverse images of the Great Seal of the United States on the back of the bill. According to Wallace's recollection, the president at first worried that using the Eye of Providence (the Masonic emblem atop the 13-step pyramid on the reverse side of the seal) would offend Catholics. After being assured by Post Master General James Farley that it would not, Roosevelt gave the go-ahead. When the actual design crossed his desk, Roosevelt at first approved it, and then changed his mind, crossing out his signature and scribbling in some hasty instructions about what should be done. He wanted the images of the seals reversed in order, the eagle on the right and pyramid on the left, and he wanted the phrase "THE GREAT SEAL . . . OF THE UNITED STATES" added.
Below is the proof that FDR signed with a hand written note to reverse the two sides of the seal and the text.
Former Vice-president Henry Wallace in 1951, recalled a curious episode in 1935 when the design for a new dollar bill attained Cabinet-level status. The new design proposed using the obverse and reverse images of the Great Seal of the United States on the back of the bill. According to Wallace's recollection, the president at first worried that using the Eye of Providence (the Masonic emblem atop the 13-step pyramid on the reverse side of the seal) would offend Catholics. After being assured by Post Master General James Farley that it would not, Roosevelt gave the go-ahead. When the actual design crossed his desk, Roosevelt at first approved it, and then changed his mind, crossing out his signature and scribbling in some hasty instructions about what should be done. He wanted the images of the seals reversed in order, the eagle on the right and pyramid on the left, and he wanted the phrase "THE GREAT SEAL . . . OF THE UNITED STATES" added.
Below is the proof that FDR signed with a hand written note to reverse the two sides of the seal and the text.
Guilloche
A geometric design, printed as a security device, is an intricate geometrical pattern formed by several fine curved lines, constructed according to certain mathematical laws. Guilloche designs form rosettes, frames, borders, vignettes and other images, as well as the elements of background patterns. A pattern can consist of either negative (light) or positive (dark) lines.
Holographic Imagery
A special type of photographic film used with metallic material commonly used on notes as a security device for world banknotes. (Used on the banknote below overlaying the vertical window on the left.) Holographic imagery, also known as “Optically Variable Devices”, draw users’ attention and are easily authenticated by the naked eye by reflecting light that displays various colors when the note is moved in any direction. Holographic imagery has been incorporated into banknotes as security threads, stripes, patches, and window features.
Imprint
Imprint is an odd, and possibly outdated Numismatic term, referring to the name of the printer on the note. See examples below of the American Bank Note Company and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The BEP no longer practices this and hasn't for over 120 years. It's still very prevelant with private banknote manufacturers today.
In God We Trust (Motto)
The national motto of the United States, In God We Trust, was first added, midway through the production run, of the reverse of the Series 1935-G $1 Silver Certificate (below) in 1957 without a Series suffix letter change - highly unusual. The $1 Silver Certificate was the only banknote to bare the motto until the Series 1963 were issued in all denominations.
The First Paper Currency to Bare the Motto "In God We Trust" The first time appeared In God We Trust appeared on U.S. Money was the 1864 Two Cent piece. But the Series 1935-G $1 Silver Certificate was not the first paper currency to bear what would eventually become the official motto of the United States. The first were the Series 1875 Brown Back National Bank Notes from Florida. The Original and 1875 nationals placed a version of the state seal on the back of the banknotes. The First National Bank of Florida in Jacksonville was the first Florida bank to receive a National Bank Charter number and issued 1875 nationals, with the state seal of Florida on the back that did bare In God We Trust on the reverse. Those were the first banknotes with In God We Trust on them.
Intaglio Printing
IIntaglio [in-tal-yoh] is a security printing technique that originated in Italy where an image is pressed into paper and the recessed area holds the ink. Portions of the design holding the ink, such as the portrait, vignette, ornamentation, border and lettering are hand-cut consisting of numerous fine lines, dots and dashes which vary in size and shape. The result is you feel the raised ink area of the paper.
Iridescent Ink
A semi-transparent ink with a nacreous (having a play of lustrous colors) glitter. The unique ink contains transparent pigments consisting of tiny mica scales covered with a thin film. The pigments cause interference of incident light and produce the color changing effect, when changing the angle of view or entrance. [fig.1] The iridescent element is not seen at right angles.
Legal Tender
Legal tender is any form of currency—typically coins and banknotes issued by a government or central bank that, by law, must be recognized as a valid payment method for settling monetary debts, taxes, and public charges. It acts as a legally authorized medium for discharging financial obligations. For “money” to become Legal Tender it must be authorized by the U.S. Congress as such. Congress has only authorized the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve System to issue U.S. currency or Legal Tender. All U.S. currencies are printed by the Bureau of Engraving or minted by the U.S. Mint. Since 1861 the Obligation on U.S. paper currency has varied greatly but has gone unchanged since 1963 reading “This Note is Legal Tender for all Debts, Public and Private.”
Margin
The outer edge of the design on either the Face or Reverse of a note outside the design area just like a letter or document.
Border Borders are note Margins. Border only applies to the outside edge or end of the design area that serves as a separator between the design and the Margin.
Microprinting
A banknote security measure that uses extremely small lettering or symbols found in various areas of paper currency. Most photocopiers and scanners cannot capture such detail and will print blurry. This is an effective anti-counterfeiting measure. Characters can be less than 1/128" (.008") high.
Note Position / Engraving Plate Identifier
A letter/number combination that indicates the position on the printing plate that the note was printed on. The location of the Note Position is generally located in one of the corners. The U.S. $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes (printed on 32 note sheets) the number indicates the quadrant number and the letter indicates the position within the quadrant. For $1 notes (printed
on a 50 note sheet) the Note Position is identified by (example below) columns (F) and row (1). With the new U.S. banknote design due to launch in 2026 with the $10 all banknotes will be printed on 50 note sheets.
Obligation
The Obligation, also known as Legal Obligation or Financial Obligation, usually appears on the Face of a note. The Obligation is a contractual statement that serves as evidence of the issuer (a government or financial institution) indebtedness to the holder of the note.
The First U.S. Legal Tender Obligation appeared on the 1861 Demand Notes. They read: "The United States promise to pay to the bearer Five Dollars on demand. Payable by the Assistant Treasurer of the United States at New York.* Receivable in payment of all public dues."
*Issues were also payable at Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati and St. Louis
*Issues were also payable at Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati and St. Louis
Obverse
Obverse is the accepted Numismatic term used for the front of a COIN. Face or Front is the proper term used for for paper currency.
Offset Printing
Offset Printing, also referred to as Lithography, uses a plate cylinder that then transfers inked image onto a cylinder that serves as an intermediary between the printing plates and paper. As it rotates, ink is picked up from the plates and transferred to paper. Offset print is not raised above (Letterpress) or below the surface (Intaglio) of the printing plate. Instead, the ink is flush with the surface of the plate/paper.
U.S. Fractional and Obsolete Banknotes & More used Offset Printing because the method was easier, faster to design, and less costly to produce and manufacture but did not have the added security feature that Intaglio printing provides. Offset Printing is still able to print with an extremely high level of detail while at the same time printing mass quantities. The 1975 $50 Bank of Canada back was printed using Offset Printing to accomplish the amazing level of detail depicting the "Dome" formation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during their Musical Ride performances where 32 Mounties and their horses perform intricate, choreographed cavalry drills and formations set.
Planchet
Colored dots are a security feature manufactured into paper used by many countries and private banknote manufacturers, including U.S. Military Payment Certificates. The purpose is similar to the red and blue security threads used in U.S. paper currency.
Dots...Used by both the Bank of Canada, printed by the British American Banknote Co. (fig.1) and the Bank of Mexico, printed by the American Bank Note Co. (fig.2) & The Bank of Mexico (fig.3) from the 1930s well into the 1990s and beyond for some denominations.
Plate Number
A small number at the lower right of a note’s Face that identifies the Printing Platefrom which the note was produced. The location varies for each U.S. denominations.Different from the Back Plate or Check number.
Print Location The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has two print facilities that are identified to the left of the Note Plate Position and Plate Number. Washington D.C. and Fort Worth, TX. Only Fort Worth notes have a “print mark” FW. (fig.1 $5) Washington, D.C. (fig.2 $20) has none. This is similar to how the U.S. Mint uses mint marks with Philadelphia bearing no mint mark.
Print Location The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has two print facilities that are identified to the left of the Note Plate Position and Plate Number. Washington D.C. and Fort Worth, TX. Only Fort Worth notes have a “print mark” FW. (fig.1 $5) Washington, D.C. (fig.2 $20) has none. This is similar to how the U.S. Mint uses mint marks with Philadelphia bearing no mint mark.
Polymer
Made from a form of plastic Polymer notes incorporate security features that paper/cotton/linen notes cannot and still incorporate many traditional features such as Intaglio print and microprinting. Polymer is waterproof, added durability, and more resistant to tearing and soiling, lasting three to five times longer than paper/cotton/linen notes.
The First Polymer Banknote The world's first polymer note was the Australia Reserve Bank 1988 $10 Bicentenary Commemorative. Many countries have converted from paper to Polymer notes, or have begun the process, such as Canada, Mexico, England, New Zealand, and Romania to name a few.
The First Polymer Banknote The world's first polymer note was the Australia Reserve Bank 1988 $10 Bicentenary Commemorative. Many countries have converted from paper to Polymer notes, or have begun the process, such as Canada, Mexico, England, New Zealand, and Romania to name a few.
Portrait
Normally a realistic artistic representation of a person usually showing the head and shoulders. Originally a way to celebrate national heroes on currency portraits have become an effective anti-counterfeiting measure because they are difficult to reproduce and easy for users to identify.
Printing Plate
A steel sheet with a note design engraved backwards to print forwards. The plate is positioned onto a printing press and with immense pressure the ink is transferred to the paper creating the intricate banknote design.
Re-denomination
Re-denomination is when the face value of a banknote is lowered, removing zeros, as the Bank of Mexico did in 1992 (fig.1 & fig.2), to regulate currency circulation and reduce inflation. Re-denomination can also occur when a banknote is stamped or overprinted to reduce the value as the Central Bank of Brazil did in 1986 (fig.4). A third form of Re-denomination also applies when a country, like Ireland, adopts a new currency such as the Euro (€) in 2002. (fig.4 & fig.5).
Registration
Registration is the alignment of the Face and the Back printings of a note. Basically are the printing of the face and back of the note centered? Registration is critical to the grading of banknotes of Uncirculated (Unc) Gem 65 or higher. Assuming the printing and the condition of the banknote do not have issues grading between a Gem Unc, Superb Gem and 70 Gem Unc may come down to one-hundredths of a millimeter of a banknotes registration. Below is an example of Superb Gem alignment, face to back registration compared to a misaligned banknote.
Registration Device
A Registration Device is a security feature element that partially appears on the face of a banknote that aligns with the partial element on the back. When the the banknote is held to the light the two elements form one.
Reverse (Back)
For U.S. currency the side of the note that is opposite of the side with a portrait. This does not apply to many World Banknotes. Reverse is the preferred Numismatic term used for paper currency but Back is commonly accepted.
Security Fibers
Fine colored or colorless fibers located randomly in the paper substrate or on its surface. Fibers are incorporated during the manufacturing process and mixed into the note material pulp. U.S.currency security fibers have changed several times since 1869 when first implemented.
UV Security Fibers Many countries use clear security fibers that only are visible under UV light and can glow different colors. UV design devices can also be incorporated and only visible with UV light. This security measure has existed since the 1970s.
Selvage
the extra area that surrounds the intended that extends beyond the margins of the final cut of a banknote. Selvage represents the "waste" paper area in the printing process, frequently containing guide markings, production information, inspector notes and/or initials. Selvage areas are most common on large size National Bank Banknotes but still scarce to be found.
Serial Number
Identifying numbers that normally include letters on a banknote. Also used to track production and anti-counterfeiting. U.S. currency places the serial number on the Face of the note but other countries may place them on the Reverse or both sides.
Series Date
The Series Date is the year when banknotes were made of the same design are first printed and appears on the Face of a note. This does not mean the year the banknote was issued that year into circulation. Unlike coins most monetary agencies that issue paper currency do not change the Series Date annually. For U.S. currency the Series Date has two types of changes. Major and Minor. A Major change when there is a major design change or when a new Secretary of the Treasury Secretary is appointed requiring a new year, ex. 2017. A minor change is when a plate number changes position, a new material or process is incorporated, and when a new Treasurer of the United States is appointed. Minor changes will carry a suffix letter such as 2017 A.
Series Date Suffix Letter From Series 1869 to Series 1923 the Series Year only changed with a major design or a new currency type. With the introduction of the Series 1928 small size currency a policy was instituted adding a Suffix Letter at the end of the Series Year when a minor design or one of the signatures changed. This continued until 1974 when the policy changed to only the Secretary of the Treasury signature being considered a major change, not the Treasurer of the United States. (There have been numerous exceptions.) The Series 1935 $1 Silver Certificate had the most suffix letters.
Signature(s)
The lawful requirement of a banknote having a signature is based on a tradition that banknotes are formal documents, or contracts, that specifying a financial legal obligation of the banknote issuer to the holder of the note. As of 2026 U.S. paper money are promissory notes bearing facsimile signatures of the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury.
U.S. Treasury Seal
The U.S. Treasury Department was first authorized to engrave and print Federal notes by the act of December 23, 1857. In 1861 the first banknotes to be issued were Demand Notes did not have a seal. With the passing of the Act of February 25, 1862 seals and signatures were required to be engraved on notes. The law was reflected on the Series 1862/1863 Legal Tender Notes with the addition of the U.S. Treasury seal that has remained on U.S. currency to this day.
The Color of Money There have been many, many variations of the U.S. Treasury seal. The design, color, size and design have all changed multiple times. It's a twisted and complicated story. If you want more information check out my video The Color of Money that dives into the mystery of the Treasury Seal.
Vignette
The main ornamental illustration device on the Face or Reverse of a note depicting an allegory, historic event, building, or motif design. Common themes are national strength, liberty, industry, agriculture, transportation and even Santa Clause. A vignette may be enclosed with a frame or gradually fade into the background. Multiple vignettes on a note are common. See below examples of U.S. Federal and Obsolete banknotes.