United States ten-dollar bill

United States ten-dollar bill
Country	United States
Denomination	Ten dollars
Value	10
Unit	USD
Width mm	156
Height mm	66.3
Paper type	75% cotton, 25% linen
Years of printing	1861–present
Obverse	US $10 Series 2004A Obverse.jpg
Obverse design	Alexander Hamilton
Obverse design date	2006
Reverse	US $10 Series 2004A Reverse.jpg
Reverse design	U.S. Treasury Building
Reverse design date	2006

United States ten-dollar bill. The United States ten-dollar bill is a current Federal Reserve Note denomination of U.S. currency. Featuring a portrait of the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, on its obverse, and the U.S. Treasury Building on its reverse, it is a cornerstone of American monetary circulation. The note has undergone significant design and security transformations since its first issuance during the American Civil War.

History

The first federal $10 bill was issued as a Demand Note in 1861, featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln and an intricate design. This was followed by the Legal Tender or "United States Note" series beginning in 1862, which initially depicted various figures like Daniel Webster. The modern placement of Alexander Hamilton began with the 1928 series, which standardized the size of all U.S. currency. A significant redesign in 2006, part of the ongoing 2004 currency redesign, introduced enhanced security features and subtle color tints. Historically, the denomination has also been issued as Silver Certificates, Gold Certificates, and Federal Reserve Bank Notes.

Design

The obverse of the current note is dominated by the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, based on a 1805 painting by John Trumbull. To the left of the portrait is an image of the Torch of the Statue of Liberty, while the Great Seal is featured prominently. The reverse centers on a detailed rendering of the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C.. The building's neoclassical architecture, designed by Robert Mills, symbolizes the federal government's financial authority. Since 2006, the background incorporates subtle shades of orange, yellow, and red, a departure from the traditional monochrome green associated with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Security features

Modern $10 bills incorporate multiple advanced security features to deter counterfeiting. These include a vertical security thread embedded to the right of Hamilton's portrait that glows orange under ultraviolet light and reads "USA TEN". A color-shifting numeral "10" in the lower right corner changes from copper to green when tilted. Additional features are microprinted text within Hamilton's coat collar and on the torch image, a watermark portrait of Hamilton visible from both sides when held to light, and intricate fine-line printing patterns that are difficult to replicate. These features are coordinated by the United States Secret Service.

Production and circulation

All $10 Federal Reserve Notes are produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing under the authority of the Federal Reserve System. The notes are issued by one of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks, indicated by a black seal and letter code. The lifespan of a $10 bill in circulation is approximately 4.5 years, according to Federal Reserve estimates. Production volumes are determined by the Federal Open Market Committee to replace unfit currency and meet public demand. The series year and signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the Treasurer of the United States are printed on each note.

Use in commerce

The $10 bill is a common medium for everyday transactions and is widely dispensed by ATMs across the United States. It plays a significant role in the cash-based economy, used for purchases like fast food, movie tickets, and small retail items. Its denomination makes it a frequent component of cash register change floats. While its use has been impacted by the growth of credit card and digital payment systems like Venmo and Apple Pay, it remains a vital part of the M1 money supply as measured by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Notable figures depicted

While Alexander Hamilton is the sole portrait on the current obverse, several other prominent Americans have been featured on earlier $10 bills. These have included Daniel Webster, Benjamin Franklin, and President Andrew Jackson. The reverse has historically depicted scenes such as American agriculture, industry, and a bison. The decision to retain Hamilton, who was also a key author of The Federalist Papers and founder of the First Bank of the United States, was reaffirmed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2015, following public debate spurred by the Broadway musical about his life.

Category:Banknotes of the United States Category:Ten-base-unit banknotes