You probably have one in your pocket right now. It’s crumpled, maybe a little faded, and smells faintly of old denim and copper. We see it every day. But honestly, how often do you actually look at it? If you pull out a single, you’re staring at a guy who’s been the face of American currency for a very long time. George Washington is the president on a dollar bill, and his mug has been there since 1869.
It’s weirdly permanent.
Most people just call it a "single" or a "buck." We use them for vending machines or tipping a barista, but that green piece of paper is actually a massive piece of history. Washington wasn’t always the guy on the one-color bill, though. Before the "Father of His Country" took over the spot, the first $1 legal tender note issued by the United States in 1862 actually featured Salmon P. Chase. He was the Secretary of the Treasury under Lincoln. Talk about an ego trip, right? Putting your own face on the money while you're still in office? Eventually, the Treasury realized that the first president made a whole lot more sense for the most widely circulated bill in the world.
Why George Washington Stays on the Dollar
Why haven’t we changed it? We’ve redesigned the $20, the $50, and the $100 to make them harder to counterfeit, but the $1 bill stays stubbornly the same. It’s the "classic" look. According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the dollar bill is rarely counterfeited because the value is so low. It’s just not worth the effort for most criminals. Because of that, the government hasn't felt the need to update the security features as aggressively as they did with the "big head" hundreds.
Washington’s portrait on the bill is based on a specific painting. It’s an unfinished work by Gilbert Stuart known as the Athenaeum Portrait. Stuart painted it in 1796. If you look closely at his mouth on the bill, he looks a bit... stiff? Legend says he was actually wearing his famous set of dentures (which were made of cow's teeth and lead, not wood, by the way) and they were incredibly uncomfortable. It gives him that iconic, stern "I’m watching you spend this on a candy bar" expression.
The Symbolism You Probably Missed
The back of the bill is where things get truly strange. It’s not just about the president on a dollar bill; it’s about the Great Seal of the United States. You’ve got the pyramid with the eye floating over it. It’s called the Eye of Providence. People love a good conspiracy theory about the Illuminati, but the designers meant for it to represent spiritual oversight of the new nation.
Then there’s the eagle. It’s holding an olive branch in one talon and 13 arrows in the other. Peace and war. It’s a bit of a "don't mess with us, but we're chill" vibe. You’ll notice the number 13 everywhere on the bill. 13 leaves, 13 olives, 13 arrows, 13 stars above the eagle’s head, and 13 stripes on the shield. It obviously represents the original 13 colonies. It's not a secret code; it’s just a very consistent branding strategy from the 1700s.
Is the $1 Bill Going Away?
Every few years, someone in Congress starts complaining about how much it costs to print paper money. They want to replace George Washington with a coin. Coins last decades; paper bills (which are actually a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen) only last about 6.6 years on average before they’re too shredded to use.
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But Americans hate the dollar coin. We’ve tried the Susan B. Anthony, the Sacagawea, and the Presidential dollar coins. They just sit in jars or desk drawers. We like the crinkle of the paper. We like seeing the president on a dollar bill as a physical note. As of 2026, the Federal Reserve continues to order billions of these notes because the demand just doesn't drop, even with digital payments taking over.
Fun Facts to Drop at a Party
- The Web: Look at the front of the bill. In the corners, you’ll see some intricate spider-web-looking patterns. These are created by a geometric lathe, a machine that makes lines so complex they are almost impossible to hand-draw.
- The "Ghost" Numbers: Look at the green seal on the right. You’ll see the word "ONE" spelled out, but there’s also a series of numbers that correspond to the Federal Reserve Bank that issued the bill. For example, a "B" means it came from New York.
- The Paper: It’s not paper. Seriously. If you wash a dollar bill, it usually survives. Try that with a piece of notebook paper. The cotton-linen blend is what gives it that specific texture.
Keeping Your Cash in Context
Knowing who the president on a dollar bill is might seem like basic trivia, but it’s a gateway into how the U.S. views its own legacy. We keep Washington there because he represents the foundation. Even as the world moves toward Bitcoin, Apple Pay, and whatever comes next, the $1 bill remains the most recognized piece of currency on the planet.
If you want to dive deeper into your wallet, start looking at the serial numbers. Collectors actually pay hundreds of dollars for "fancy" serial numbers—like "00000001" or "12345678."
Actions You Can Take Today
Don't just spend that dollar. Take a second to actually look at the engraving. Check the "Series" date near Washington’s portrait; it’s not the year the bill was printed, but the year the design was last changed or a new Treasury Secretary took office.
If you have a bill that feels extra crisp, look for a little star next to the serial number. That’s a "star note." It means the original bill was damaged during printing and the Treasury replaced it with a new one. They can be worth more than a dollar to the right person.
Ultimately, the dollar is more than just currency. It’s a tiny, portable art gallery. It’s a history lesson you can trade for a pack of gum. George Washington is going to be there for a long time, so you might as well get used to his uncomfortable, denture-filled stare.
Check your wallet for any "Series 2017" or "Series 2021" notes. Compare the signatures of the Treasurers. It’s a fast way to see how the leadership of the country changes while the face on the front stays exactly the same. Save any star notes you find; they are rarer than you think and serve as a cool piece of "error" history in your own pocket.