What Are Blue Faces and Are They Real Currency?
Gain clarity on common visual characteristics of US currency. Understand what makes a banknote authentic and how to verify it.
The term “blue faces” refers to a distinct visual characteristic on some older United States banknotes, often leading to questions about their authenticity. Understanding what “blue faces” signifies helps clarify whether such banknotes are genuine or counterfeit. This knowledge is important for anyone encountering older currency, ensuring they can properly assess its validity.
Understanding Blue Faces
“Blue faces” describes a bluish tint on the portraits of certain older US banknotes. This effect is not an intentional security feature, but a result of historical printing processes, ink formulations, and paper aging. Early US currency designs, like the 1869 $1 United States Note, featured blue paper tinting and green overprinting.
Prior to 1929, US paper money was larger than today’s standard banknotes. The Treasury used this transition to standardize designs and colors. Historically, different currency types used distinct ink colors for seals and serial numbers; for example, Silver Certificates, backed by silver, often had blue seals and serial numbers. This blue coloration, especially on Silver Certificates, contributed to the “blue faces” appearance. Thus, a bluish tint on a banknote’s portrait generally indicates a genuine, older bill, reflecting production variations or specific currency types.
Authenticity of Currency
Authenticity of any United States currency, regardless of age or “blue face,” depends on examining its embedded security features. Modern US banknotes incorporate distinct anti-counterfeiting elements, introduced through redesigns like those in 1996. These features definitively indicate a bill’s genuineness. Key security features include:
- Security Fibers: Small red and blue fibers are embedded throughout the paper (75% cotton, 25% linen).
- Watermark: A faint image visible when held to light, appearing right of the portrait on $5 and higher denominations. On $10+ notes, it typically matches the portrait.
- Security Thread: A vertical strip embedded in the paper of $5 and higher denominations. It glows a different color under UV light and is visible from both sides.
- Color-Shifting Ink: The numeral in the lower right corner of $10 and higher notes changes color from copper to green when tilted.
- Microprinting: Tiny words, requiring magnification, found in various locations on $5 and higher denominations, often corresponding to the denomination or containing phrases like “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Handling Suspect Currency
If you encounter a banknote that you suspect might be counterfeit, specific procedures should be followed for reporting it. Handle suspect currency as little as possible to preserve potential evidence, such as fingerprints. Avoid passing the bill to others, even if certain it is counterfeit, as doing so is illegal and could lead to legal consequences.
To report suspect currency, contact your local police department or nearest United States Secret Service field office. The Secret Service primarily investigates counterfeit currency. When reporting, provide details like how you received the bill, from whom, and any identifying information about the passer. Law enforcement will collect the suspect note and investigate, potentially involving forensic analysis to confirm its counterfeit nature and trace its origin.