Spotting Counterfeit Money - For Kids!
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There are billions of dollars' worth of paper and coin money that circulate throughout the United States. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints and coins this money, and keeps track of the money through different specific identifiers. Each year, the US Government deals with people who attempt to create fake, or counterfeit money. Counterfeit money can cost the average citizen and business owner a lot of cash. Counterfeiting is a very serious offense, and those who are caught creating or holding money that is not authentic can face serious consequences.


What are Some Security Features in Bills?

Dollar bills are often easy to counterfeit, mainly because they are made of paper. The federal government is constantly coming up with new ways to create various security features, so that counterfeit money can easily be spotted. Some features include different colors of ink, metallic inks, and a small plastic strip that runs vertically down one side of the bill. This strip is known as a security thread. Watermarks are also used, and can be seen by holding the bill up to the light. Most newer bills are also printed on a special paper that both looks and feels different from most regular types of paper.


What are Some Security Features in Coins?

Minted coins have several different features that can help to prevent counterfeiting. The color of the coin is important, since different coins use different, specific metal alloys. Counterfeit coins may be off-color or even feel differently to the touch. The edges of the coins have ridges or can be perfectly smooth. This feature helps to identify them. As coins are circulated (or used), they can begin to show some wear. A real coin will wear fairly evenly. The relief or raised print on a coin that seems uneven can be a sign that it's counterfeit.


What are Common Errors Counterfeiters Can Make?

People who attempt to make counterfeit money are often caught because the money is spotted as fake by business professionals or government agents. Some very common mistakes include using the wrong color or style of ink, faded or running watermarks, lack of security features, and the incorrect type of paper. Comparing fake bills to genuine bills is a good way to easily spot them. All legitimate bills have serial numbers, so if the numbers appear to be uneven or incorrect, it's probably a fake. For coins, anything missing all of the necessary elements, wrong coloring, or lack of the trademark ridges can be signs that they are fake.


Which Presidents are on Each Bill?

All bills used in the United States feature a specific US president, depending on the denomination. The government uses this as a way to not only distinguish the money, but to pay tribute to our various leaders throughout history. The current list of presidents featured on money are:


$1-George Washington

$2-Thomas Jefferson

$5-Abraham Lincoln

$10-Alexander Hamilton

$20-Andrew Jackson

$50-Ulysses S. Grant

$100-Benjamin Franklin

$500-William McKinley

$1,000-Grover Cleveland

$5,000-James Madison

$10,000-Salmon P. Chase

$100,000-Woodrow Wilson


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