Media CenterMedia AdvisoryFirst New $5 Bill to Be Spent at President Lincoln's Cottage on March 13th Washington, D.C. – February 12, 2008 – The first redesigned $5 bill, which will continue to feature the portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, will enter circulation on March 13 and will be spent at the gift shop of President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. The venue, which has recently been restored and open to the public, was used by President Lincoln as a retreat. President Lincoln understood that maintaining the integrity of U.S. currency was critical to the stability of our economy. In fact, President Lincoln established the United States Secret Service the same evening he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. and made it the agency's primary mission to safeguard the nation's currency from counterfeiters. On March 13, Federal Reserve banks will begin distributing redesigned $5 bills to customer banks, which will then distribute currency to businesses and consumers. The new bills will first begin circulating in the U.S. and gradually in other countries as international banks place orders for $5 bills from the Federal Reserve. Older-design $5 bills will maintain their full face value. Therefore, it will not be necessary to trade in old $5 bills for new ones.
Free educational materials are available to businesses, financial institutions, trade and professional associations, citizen groups and individuals to prepare cash handlers and consumers to recognize the new design and protect themselves against counterfeits. Since 2003, the U.S. government has distributed about 80 million pieces of public education and training materials about the new $5, $10, $20 and $50 bill redesigns. Materials are available to order or download in multiple languages at www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney. About President Lincoln's Cottage: Designated a National Monument by President Clinton in 2000, President Lincoln's Cottage served as Lincoln's family residence for a quarter of his presidency and is a significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln's presidency. President Lincoln's Cottage is located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in northwest Washington, D.C. and has been restored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For further information, including driving directions, go to www.lincolncottage.org. -###-
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