Monetary Makeover

Colorful Abe — AP/Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Abe Lincoln has gotten a facelift, including a little color in his cheeks. The new $5 bill, which began circulating on March 13, 2008, bears the traditional image of the 16th president, but with some touches of color added to foil counterfeiters. The makeover is similar to changes to the 10s, 20s and 50s already in use. Up next is a new look for the $100 bill.

The $10 bill became the third bill denomination ($20, $50) to be jazzed up with colors as part of the government's effort to thwart counterfeiters. The Federal Reserve is shipping 800 million of the new $10 bills to commercial banks. The new note includes shades of orange, yellow and red along with images of the Statue of Liberty's torch and the words "We the People." The new $10 bill was introduced March 2, 2006.

Security Features: Color Shift

The redesigned $10 note retains three of the most important security features that were first introduced in the 1990s and are easy to check: color-shifting ink, watermark and security thread. The numeral "10" in the lower right-hand corner on the face of the note changes color from copper to green. The color shift is more dramatic on the redesigned notes, making it even easier for people to check their money.

Security Features: Watermark

Hold the ten up to the light to see if a faint image of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton appears to the right of his large portrait. It can be seen from both sides of the note. On the redesigned $10 note, a blank oval has been incorporated into the design to highlight the watermark's location.

Security Features: Security Thread

Hold the ten up to the light and make sure there's a small strip embedded in the paper. The words "USA TEN" and a small flag are visible in tiny print. It runs vertically to the right of the portrait and can be seen from both sides of the note. This thread glows orange when held under ultraviolet light.

Design Features: Symbols Of Freedom

New symbols of freedom representing icons of Americana are part of the new design series. Two images of the torch carried by the Statue of Liberty are printed in red on the face of the new $10 note. A large image of the torch is printed in the background to the left of the portrait of Secretary Hamilton, while a second, smaller metallic red image of the torch can be found on the lower right side of the portrait.

Design Features: Color

The most noticeable difference in the newly designed $10 note is the addition of subtle background colors of orange, yellow and red. The words "We the People" have been printed in red in the background to the right of the portrait. Small yellow 10s have been printed in the background to the left of the portrait on the front and to the right of the vignette on the back. Background colors differ with each denomination.

Design Features: Portrait And Vignette

The oval borders and fine lines surrounding the portrait of Secretary Hamilton on the face, and the United States Treasury Building vignette on the back, have been removed. The portrait has been moved up and shoulders have been extended into the border. Additional engraving details have been added to the vignette background.

Existing Features: Microprinting

The new $10 note also retains a number of other existing design features. The redesigned $10 note features microprinting on the face of the note in two areas: the word "USA" and the numeral "10" can be found repeated beneath the large printed torch and the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TEN DOLLARS" can be found below the portrait, as well as vertically inside the left and right borders of the note.

Existing Features: Low-Vision

The large numeral "10" in the lower right corner on the back of the note is easy to read.

Existing Features: Fed. Reserve Marks & Serial #

A universal seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies the issuing Federal Reserve Bank.

The unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the face of the note. On the new $10 note, the left serial number has shifted slightly to the right, compared with previous designs.