The New Colors of U.S. Money

For as long as all of us can remember, the US dollar has been synonymous with the color green. But as of 2004 the US government has been redesigning our paper money and adding splashes color. The new $5 bill was just introduced and might be considered the most colorful piece of US currency ever produced.

While the redesigned $10, $20 & $50 all have colorful designs the new $5 blends from purple to gray with shining yellow stars... not to mention the giant purple 5 on the back.

The New $5 Bill

Color: The most noticeable difference in the redesigned $5 bill is the addition of light purple in the center of the bill, which blends into gray near the edges. Small yellow "05"s are printed to the left of the portrait on the front of the bill and to the right of the Lincoln Memorial vignette on the back.

About the Redesigned Currency

The new $5 bill design was unveiled to the public in late September 2007 and will enter circulation in early 2008. It will be followed by a new $100 bill. Redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills are already in circulation. The reason for the redesign?

This redesigned currency is safer, smarter and more secure:
Safer because it is harder to fake and easier to check;
Smarter to stay ahead of savvy counterfeiters; and
More secure to protect the integrity of United States currency.

The Redesigned $10 Bill

The new $10 bill, which was the third denomination to be redesigned in the series and was introduced on March 2, 2006.

Color: The most noticeable difference in the newly designed $10 bill is the addition of subtle background colors of orange, yellow and red. The words "We the People" from the United States Constitution have been printed in red in the background to the right of the portrait. Also, small yellow "10"s have been printed in the background to the left of the portrait on the face of the bill and to the right of the vignette on the back of the bill.

The Redesigned $20 Bill

Color: The most noticeable difference in the redesigned $20 bill is the addition of subtle background colors of green, peach and blue to both sides of the bill. This marked the first time in modern American history that U.S. cash included colors other than black and green. The words "TWENTY USA" are printed in blue in the background to the right of the portrait and small yellow numeral "20"s are printed in the background on the back of the bill.

The Redesigned $50 Bill

Color: The most noticeable difference in the redesigned $50 bill is the addition of subtle background colors of blue and red to both sides of the bill. Also, small yellow "50"s have been printed in the background on the back of the bill.

Why Is US Currency Green?

The first general circulation of paper money by the federal government occurred in 1861. Pressed to finance the Civil War, Congress authorized the U.S. Treasury to issue non-interest-bearing Demand Notes. These notes acquired the nickname "greenback" because of their color.

When the small currency notes in use today were first introduced in 1929, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) continued using green ink. There were three reasons for this decision. First, pigment of that color was readily available in large quantity. Second, the color was high in its resistance to chemical and physical changes. Finally, the public psychologically identified the color green with the strong and stable credit of the Government. There is no definite reason green was chosen originally for our currency notes. -Originally covered in our 11 Great Color Legends Post.