In an ongoing effort to combat counterfeiting and enhance the security of US currency, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has announced a series of redesigns for several denominations of dollar bills. These updates are scheduled to roll out over the next decade, introducing advanced security features to safeguard the integrity of US banknotes.
Upcoming redesign schedule
The most recent denomination to get a makeover was the $100 note first issued on October 8, 2013. The rest of the active currency denominations will follow suit in a staggered pattern, with their new releases taking place as follows: $10 (2026), $50 (2028), $20 (2030), $5 (2032), and $100 (2034).
The BEP has outlined a staggered release for the redesigned bills as follows:
- $10 bill: Expected to enter circulation in 2026.
- $50 bill: Anticipated release in 2028.
- $20 bill: Scheduled for 2030.
- $5 bill: Set for 2032.
- $100 bill: Planned for 2034.
This sequence is designed to address “risk mitigation and counterfeiting concerns,” according to the BEP.
Enhanced security features
While specific details of the new security features have not been fully disclosed, the BEP aims to make the new designs “resistant to increasingly sophisticated counterfeit attacks.”
Historically, US currency has incorporated various security elements to deter counterfeiting, including:
- Color-shifting ink: Numerals that change color when tilted.
- Raised printing: Textured printing that can be felt by touch.
- Watermarks: Faint images visible when held up to light.
- Security threads: Embedded vertical threads that glow under ultraviolet light.
- 3D security ribbons: Found on the current $100 bill, featuring patterns that move when tilted.
These features are expected to be enhanced or supplemented in the upcoming designs to further deter counterfeiting efforts.
The redesign process
Redesigning currency is a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The BEP notes that the process involves extensive research and development, often spanning over a decade, followed by years of optimization and integration testing. This meticulous approach ensures that new security features are effective and that the redesigned bills meet rigorous manufacturing and quality standards.
As the BEP explains, “This sequence addresses risk mitigation and counterfeiting concerns.” But no bill is completely counterfeit-proof. The Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee, comprised of stakeholders from the BEP, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve System, the Treasury, and the US Secret Service tries its best to ensure that the new designs will be hard to replicate and that any counterfeit bill is tracked down and destroyed.
Current counterfeiting landscape
Despite existing security measures, counterfeiting remains a concern. The US Department of the Treasury estimates that approximately $70 million in counterfeit bills are currently in circulation, though some experts suggest the figure could be as high as $200 million, considering the US dollar’s status as a global reserve currency.
Identifying counterfeit bills
As the new designs are introduced, consumers and businesses must familiarize themselves with the updated security features. In the meantime, the following tips can help identify counterfeit bills:
- Check for color-shifting ink: Genuine bills have numerals that change color when tilted.
- Examine raised printing: Authentic notes feature textured printing that can be felt.
- Inspect for blurry borders or text: Counterfeit bills often have blurry or uneven printing.
- Look for red and blue threads: Genuine currency contains tiny red and blue fibers embedded in the paper.
- Verify the watermark: Hold the bill up to the light to check for a watermark matching the portrait.
- Locate the security thread: Authentic bills have an embedded thread that glows under UV light.
- For $100 bills, check the 3D security ribbon: Tilt the bill to see patterns move within the blue ribbon.
Staying informed about these features is essential in the ongoing effort to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency.
