How to Check if a Dollar Bill Is Real?

Counterfeit currency poses a threat to individuals and the financial system. The circulation of fake bills can lead to personal financial losses and erode trust in the integrity of cash. Understanding how to identify genuine U.S. dollar bills is important for anyone handling currency regularly. This knowledge helps protect consumers and businesses from inadvertently accepting fraudulent money.

Key Security Features

Genuine U.S. currency incorporates several security features. Color-shifting ink is found on denominations of $10 and higher. This ink changes color, for example, from copper to green, when the bill is tilted, and this effect is particularly evident on the numeral in the lower right corner and the Bell in the Inkwell on the $100 bill.

A watermark, a faint image embedded in the paper. Holding a bill to the light reveals this image, which is typically a portrait matching the one on the bill for denominations $10 and higher, or the numeral “5” for the $5 bill. The security thread is a thin, embedded strip visible when held to light, running vertically through denominations of $5 and higher. This thread is imprinted with text indicating the bill’s denomination and is positioned differently for each value.

Microprinting, tiny, legible words, is on bills of $5 and higher. These small words, such as “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” or “USA,” appear crisp and clear under magnification, whereas counterfeits often show blurred lines. The raised printing, also known as intaglio printing, gives genuine bills a distinctive texture that can be felt by running a finger across areas like the portrait or borders. This tactile quality is difficult for counterfeiters to replicate, resulting in smoother fake bills.

Genuine U.S. currency paper contains small, randomly dispersed red and blue fibers embedded in the material, not merely printed on the surface. Sharpness and clarity of the serial numbers and the Treasury seal are also indicators of authenticity; serial numbers should be uniformly spaced and aligned, and the saw-tooth points of the seals should be distinct. Finally, the portrait and border quality on authentic bills are sharp, detailed, and feature intricate designs, while counterfeit versions often appear dull, flat, or have broken lines.

Additional Verification Methods

External tools and comparative techniques can assist in verifying currency. A UV light (blacklight) checks the security thread, which glows a specific color for each denomination under ultraviolet light. For example, the security thread in a $5 bill glows blue, a $10 bill glows orange, a $20 bill glows green, a $50 bill glows yellow, and a $100 bill glows pink.

Counterfeit detection pens contain an iodine-based solution that reacts to starch in most wood-based papers, commonly used in fake bills. If the mark turns dark brown or black, the bill is likely counterfeit, as genuine U.S. currency is made from a cotton and linen blend that does not contain starch. However, these pens have limitations; they may not detect sophisticated counterfeits made with starch-free paper or genuine bills that have been bleached and reprinted with higher denominations. A practical method involves comparing a suspicious bill side-by-side with a known genuine bill of the same denomination and series. This direct comparison can highlight discrepancies in texture, color, and the placement or quality of security features.

Handling Suspected Counterfeit Currency

If you suspect you have received a counterfeit bill, handle the situation carefully to avoid legal implications. Knowingly passing counterfeit currency is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Do not attempt to spend or circulate the suspected fake bill. Handle the bill as little as possible, preferably by placing it in an envelope or bag to preserve any potential evidence, such as fingerprints.

Note the circumstances under which you received the bill, including who gave it to you, when, and where. This information can assist authorities in their investigation. The United States Secret Service should be contacted, along with your local police department. Individuals can report suspected counterfeits to their local police or Secret Service field office. Do not confront the person who passed the bill, as this could be dangerous or compromise an investigation.