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Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 and a small flag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Grant in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.
Color-Shifting Ink
Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from copper to green.
Federal Reserve System Seal
A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
Microprinting
Look carefully (magnification may be necessary) to see the small printed text FIFTY, USA, and 50 inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, FIFTY repeated within both side borders of the note, and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in President Grant's collar.
Raised Printing
Move your finger along the note's surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.
Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security fibers.
The note includes subtle background colors of blue and red to both sides of the note.
Portrait and Vignette
The $50 note features a portrait of President Grant on the front of the note and a vignette of the United States Capitol on the back of the note.
Symbols of Freedom
Representative of the United States flag, a field of blue stars is located to the left of the portrait, while three red stripes are located to the right of the portrait. A small metallic silver-blue star is located on the lower right side of the portrait.
A large green numeral 50 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
Treasury Seal
A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
Series Year
The design includes series years 2004, 2004A, 2006, 2009, and 2013.
Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from green to black.
Federal Reserve Bank Seal
Look carefully (magnification may be necessary) to see the small printed words FIFTY repeated in the alternating spaces in the vertical side borders of the note and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in the left side of President Grant's collar.
The design includes series years 1996 and 2001.
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
Look carefully (magnification may be necessary) to see the small printed words THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the outer edge of the portrait's oval frame.
A black seal to the left of the portrait bears the name and corresponding letter of the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
A black seal to the left of the portrait bears the name of the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
The $50 note features a portrait of President Grant on the front of the note. The vignette on the back of the note changed in 1929 to feature the United States Capitol.
A seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The design of the seal was changed to incorporate
an English inscription and appears on all Federal Reserve notes of the 1969 series year or later.
A combination of numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.
The $50 note features subtle background colors of blue and red, and includes an embedded security thread that glows yellow when illuminated by UV light. When held to light, a portrait watermark of President Grant is visible from both sides of the note. The note includes a color-shifting numeral 50 in the lower right corner of the note.
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$50 Note
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Portrait Watermark
Dollars in Detail guide
Refer to this comprehensive guide for in-depth technical information on U.S. currency.
Play Money Coloring Sheets
These printable coloring sheets of denominations $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, and $100 are intended for children, parents, and teachers.
The Quick Reference Guide is a comprehensive resource on the security and design features of U.S. currency. This item unfolds and can be displayed next to a point of sale as an easy-to-use reference.
Multinote Booklet
This 12-page booklet contains detailed information about the security and design features in the redesigned $100 note and those in the current-design $5, $10, $20, and $50 notes.
Multinote Poster
This poster features the security features in the redesigned $100 note and those in the current-design $5, $10, $20, and $50 notes.
This comprehensive guide includes technical information on the security and design features of the current-design $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes.
$50 Note (2004-Present)
Explore security and design features of the $50 note, issued 2004-present.
$50 Note (1997-2004)
Explore security and design features of the $50 note, issued 1997-2004.
Demand Notes
In order to finance the Civil War, Congress authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to issue non-interest-bearing Demand Notes. These notes earn the nickname "greenbacks" because of their color. All U.S. currency issued since 1861 remains valid and redeemable at full face value.
SEE FULL HISTORY TIMELINE
The Foundation of Modern Design
By 1862, the Demand Notes incorporate fine-line engraving, intricate geometric lathe work patterns, a U.S. Department of the Treasury seal, and engraved signatures to aid in counterfeit deterrence. To this day, U.S. currency continues to add features to deter counterfeiting.
United States Notes
Congress authorizes a new class of currency, known as "United States notes," or "Legal Tender notes." These notes are characterized by a red seal and serial number. They continue to circulate until 1971.
A National Banking System
Congress establishes a national banking system and authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to oversee the issuance of National Banknotes. This system sets Federal guidelines for chartering and regulating "national" banks and authorizes those banks to issue national currency secured by the purchase of United States bonds.
Centralized Printing of United States Notes
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing begins engraving and printing the faces and seals of U.S. banknotes. Before this, U.S. banknotes were produced by private banknote companies and then sent to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for sealing, trimming, and cutting.
Names Added to Portraits
Legislation mandates that all banknotes and other securities containing portraits include the name of the individual below the portrait. This is why you see names below the portraits on banknotes to this day.
Federal Reserve Act
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 establishes the Federal Reserve as the nation's central bank and provides for a national banking system that is more responsive to the fluctuating financial needs of the country. The Federal Reserve Board issues new currency called Federal Reserve notes.
Standardization of Design
The appearance of U.S. banknotes changes greatly in 1929. In an effort to lower manufacturing costs, all Federal Reserve notes are made about 30 percent smaller—measuring 6.14 x 2.61 inches, rather than 7.375 x 3.125 inches. In addition, standardized designs are instituted for each denomination, decreasing the number of designs in circulation and making it easier for the public to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit notes.
United States Notes Discontinued
Because United States notes no longer served any function not already adequately met by Federal Reserve notes, their issuance was discontinued and, beginning in 1971, no new United States notes were placed into circulation.
Security Thread and Microprinting
A security thread and microprinting are introduced in Federal Reserve notes to deter counterfeiting by copiers and printers. The features first appear in Series 1990 $100 notes. By Series 1993, the features appeared on all denominations except $1 and $2 notes.
Currency Redesign
In the first significant design change since the 1920s, U.S. currency is redesigned to incorporate a series of new counterfeit deterrents. Issuance of the new banknotes begins with the $100 note in 1996, followed by the $50 note in 1997, the $20 note in 1998, and the $10 and $5 notes in 2000.
The Redesigned $50 Note
The currency redesigns continue with the $50 note, which features subtle background colors of blue and red. The $50 note includes an embedded security thread that glows yellow when illuminated by UV light. When held to light, a portrait watermark of President Grant is visible from both sides of the note. In addition, the note includes a color-shifting numeral 50 in the lower right corner of the note.
$50 Note Life Cycle
Before a Federal Reserve note enters circulation, it must pass through four critical steps: design, order, production, and issuance.
Explore the Full Life Cycle
million notes
2018 FY Print Order
2017 Value in Circulation
Estimated Lifespan
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