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Quizzes > Business & Finance > Finance & Economics

Master US Currency Trivia - Take the Quiz Now!

Dive into our money history quiz - can you conquer US currency trivia?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art dollar bills coins symbols and quiz text elements on teal background

This US currency trivia quiz helps you spot the faces on bills, match coin values, and recall symbols and mottos from money history. Play for fun or practice, find any gaps fast, and leave with a few new facts you can use in class or on trivia night.

Which denomination is the highest currently printed for general circulation in the United States?
$50
$1
$500
$100
The $100 bill is the highest denomination currently printed and issued by the Federal Reserve for general circulation. Larger notes such as the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 were discontinued in 1969 due to lack of use. The $100 remains the most valuable everyday note used in commerce and by international markets.
Who appears on the front of the $1 bill?
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington, the first President of the United States, has appeared on the $1 bill since 1869. His likeness replaced earlier designs and has remained consistent across series. The $1 bill is the most commonly circulated denomination in the U.S.
Who appears on the front of the $2 bill?
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
James Monroe
Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President, appears on the $2 bill. This denomination is less commonly circulated but remains legal tender. Jeffersons portrait has been on the $2 bill since its first issuance in 1862.
Who appears on the front of the $5 bill?
Abraham Lincoln
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
Ulysses S. Grant
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, appears on the $5 bill. His portrait was first used in 1914 and has remained a constant feature. The reverse side of the bill displays the Lincoln Memorial.
Who appears on the front of the $10 bill?
Alexander Hamilton
Andrew Jackson
Benjamin Franklin
Ulysses S. Grant
Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, appears on the $10 bill. He was honored in 1928 when the currency was standardized into the small-size notes used today. Hamiltons role in establishing the nations financial system is why he is featured.
Which building is featured on the back of the $5 bill?
Monticello
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Memorial
White House
The back of the $5 bill displays the Lincoln Memorial, located in Washington, D.C. This monument honors Abraham Lincoln and has appeared on the bill since 1929. Its architectural detail is accurately rendered in engraving.
Which motto appears on all U.S. paper currency?
E Pluribus Unum
Novus Ordo Seclorum
Annuit Coeptis
In God We Trust
In God We Trust became the official U.S. motto on coins in 1864 and first appeared on paper currency in 1957. It was added to deter counterfeiters and reflect national values at the time. Today it appears prominently on every U.S. bill.
Which two signatures appear on every U.S. banknote?
President of the United States and Secretary of the Treasury
Treasurer of the United States and Secretary of the Treasury
Speaker of the House and President of the Senate
Chair of the Federal Reserve and Treasurer of the United States
All U.S. bills bear the signatures of the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury. Their names and titles are printed on the face of each note to validate its authenticity. This practice dates back to early issues of United States Notes.
What security feature becomes visible from both sides of a $20 bill when held up to light?
Color-shifting Ink
Hologram
Microprinting
Watermark
A faint watermark portrait matching the main portrait appears on the right side of the $20 bill when held up to light. It is embedded in the paper and visible from both sides. This anti-counterfeiting measure was introduced in the 1990s.
Which denomination was redesigned in 2013 to include a subtle blue eagle next to the portrait?
$20
$50
$5
$10
The $10 Bill Redesign of 2013 added advanced security features, including a small blue eagle to the right of Alexander Hamiltons portrait. This feature helps deter counterfeiting while maintaining familiar design elements.
What does the letter at the beginning of a U.S. currency serial number indicate?
Federal Reserve Bank that issued the note
Year of the series
Printing plate position
Type of paper used
Each U.S. banknotes serial number begins with a letter that corresponds to one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks. For example, 'A' is Boston, 'B' is New York, and so on. This identifies which reserve bank ordered the note.
In what year did "In God We Trust" first appear on U.S. paper money?
1908
1964
1957
1873
The motto In God We Trust appeared on paper currency for the first time on the 1957 series of the $1 note. It had already been in use on coins since 1864. Congress made its use mandatory on all currency in the 1950s.
Which fiber blend is used to produce U.S. paper currency?
Polyester
Poly-cotton blend
Wood pulp
Cotton and linen blend
U.S. paper currency is printed on a specialized blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving the notes their distinctive feel and durability. This blend also helps embed security features such as watermarks and security threads. Regular paper used for printing and writing is almost entirely wood pulp.
When was the current $100 bill, featuring a 3D security ribbon and color-shifting bell, introduced?
2013
2018
2006
2016
The redesigned $100 note with a 3D blue security ribbon and a color-shifting bell in the inkwell was released in October 2013. These features make counterfeiting more difficult by providing easy-to-verify visuals. The design also updated portraits and background details.
On the modern $100 bill, which feature uses color-shifting ink?
Liberty Bell in the inkwell
Portrait of Franklin
Serial number
Watermark
On the current $100 bill, the Liberty Bell inside the copper-colored inkwell shifts from copper to green when you tilt the note. This color-shifting ink is a quick security check. It was introduced as part of the 2013 redesign.
How many steps are carved into the pyramid depicted on the reverse of the $1 bill?
11
12
13
14
The pyramid on the reverse of the $1 bill has 13 steps, symbolizing the original 13 American colonies. The unfinished pyramid and all-seeing eye appear on the Great Seal. These elements were first used in 1935.
What is the highest denomination of U.S. currency ever printed by the federal government?
$1,000,000
$5,000
$10,000
$100,000
The $100,000 gold certificate displaying Woodrow Wilson was printed in 1934 and used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It was never circulated publicly. No U.S. currency larger than $100,000 has ever been issued.
Which presidents portrait appeared on the obsolete $500 bill?
Theodore Roosevelt
Grover Cleveland
William Howard Taft
William McKinley
William McKinley, the 25th President, appeared on the $500 bill issued between 1928 and 1934. High-denomination notes like the $500 were discontinued by the Federal Reserve in 1969. Today, these notes are collectors' items.
How many arrows is the eagle clutching on the Great Seal featured on U.S. currency?
13
15
11
10
On the Great Seals obverse, displayed on the $1 bill, the eagle clutches 13 arrows in its left talon, representing the original 13 states at independence. This imagery dates back to the seals adoption in 1782. The olive branch in the right talon also has 13 leaves and olives.
Which act authorized the first nationally issued banknotes in the United States?
Gold Standard Act of 1900
Coinage Act of 1792
Federal Reserve Act of 1913
National Banking Act of 1863
The National Banking Act of 1863 established a system of nationally chartered banks and issued uniform national banknotes backed by government bonds. It created the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to regulate these banks. This replaced a confusing array of state banknotes.
Who appears on the $100,000 gold certificate that was never circulated publicly?
Woodrow Wilson
William McKinley
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
The $100,000 gold certificate of 1934 featured President Woodrow Wilson. It was used exclusively for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and never available to the public. This large-denomination note is legal tender but cannot be owned by private individuals.
What printing method, known for raised ink and fine line detail, is used to create U.S. paper currency?
Intaglio printing
Digital printing
Screen printing
Lithography
Intaglio printing presses etch inked plates so that finely detailed lines and raised ink transfer onto the paper under high pressure. This method creates a tactile feel for denominations and is a key anti-counterfeiting feature. It has been used since the 19th century.
How many Federal Reserve Banks are there in the United States?
15
12
10
14
The Federal Reserve System is composed of 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, each serving its district. They implement monetary policy, supervise banks, and provide financial services in coordination with the Board of Governors. The districts are numbered and identified by letter in currency serial numbers.
What does the Latin phrase "Annuit Coeptis" on the reverse of the $1 bill translate to?
New order of the ages
Out of many, one people
Under God we prosper
He has favored our undertakings
"Annuit Coeptis" is Latin for "He has favored our undertakings," referring to divine approval of the nations efforts. It appears above the eagle on the Great Seal depicted on the $1 bill. The phrase was adopted by Congress in 1782.
What nickname was given to the small-denomination paper currency (550) issued between 1862 and 1876?
Redbacks
Fractionals
Shinplasters
Greenbacks
During the Civil War, the U.S. issued small-denomination notes called fractional currency, commonly nicknamed "shinplasters" because they were thin and flimsy. These notes ranged from 5 to 50 and were used due to coin shortages. They were discontinued in 1876 when coins became plentiful again.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Currency Evolution -

    Trace the historical milestones in US currency trivia, from early colonial notes to modern Federal Reserve bills.

  2. Identify Notable Figures -

    Recognize the key historical personalities featured on dollar bills and explain their significance in American history.

  3. Decode Hidden Symbols -

    Analyze the secret emblems and security features embedded in US money quiz questions to uncover their meanings.

  4. Analyze Design Elements -

    Examine the artistic and functional design choices on American currency quiz prompts and understand their practical roles.

  5. Apply Trivia Knowledge -

    Use newfound insights from the money history quiz to confidently answer us currency trivia and challenge friends.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Design Evolution of U.S. Currency -

    Since the first Continental Currency issues in 1776, American banknotes have evolved through silver certificates, National Bank Notes, and modern Federal Reserve Notes. Reviewing milestone changes in design - such as the 1929 size reduction and the 2003 color introduction - builds a solid foundation for us money quiz questions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, tracking these shifts sharpens your understanding of us currency trivia.

  2. Identifying Historical Portraits -

    U.S. banknotes feature prominent figures like Hamilton on the $10 and Jackson on the $20; a handy mnemonic is "H before J" to recall $10 before $20. Knowing the backstories of portraits from the Federal Reserve's archives enhances your dollar bill trivia prowess. Test yourself with practice from Smithsonian National Museum resources to lock in these faces.

  3. Key Security Features -

    Modern notes include watermarks, color-shifting inks, security threads, and microprinting, all verified by the Federal Reserve and detailed on FRB.gov. A simple tilt test reveals the green ink on the $100 bill shifting to black, a trick that's essential for passing any american currency quiz. Regularly quizzing yourself on these features cements your recognition skills.

  4. Symbolism and Hidden Codes -

    From the Eye of Providence atop the pyramid on the $1 bill to the 13 stars representing the original colonies, U.S. currency is rich with symbolism explained on the Federal Reserve Education site. Spotting letters on the Federal Reserve seal can tell you which of the 12 districts issued the note, a favorite challenge in us money quiz circles. Remember "Every Star Means State" as a mnemonic to recall colonial symbolism in dollar bill trivia.

  5. Milestones in Monetary History -

    Key events like the 1861 issuance of Legal Tender Notes (Greenbacks), the 1913 Federal Reserve Act, and the 1935 redesign of currency seals are essential chapters in any money history quiz. Plotting these dates on a timeline - 1776, 1861, 1913, 1935 - using the rhyme "Founding, Green, Reserve Scene, Redesign" helps cement the sequence. Lastly, cross-reference academic journals from JSTOR or university history departments for in-depth context on U.S. monetary policy developments.

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