History of Currency Designs


   
Ten-spots, then and now

The introduction in July 1929 of the first small-size notes, dated Series 1928, marked the beginning of a period of unusual stability in U.S. currency designs. Before that time, the large-size currency had carried many different designs and had changed its appearance frequently. But after 1929, only slight changes were made to the currency over the following sixty-five years, until the Series 1996 $100 ushered in another era of more frequent redesigns.

These pages give a brief overview of the changes, both large and small, that have affected the designs of our currency from 1929 to the present.

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