Additional Resources

The United States government continues issuing currency with enhanced designs and security features. On June 29, 2006, the government announced that it will redesign the $5 note as part of its ongoing commitment to stay ahead of counterfeiters. The government currently expects the $5 note to be issued in early 2008. New $20 and $50 notes were introduced in 2003 and 2004, respectively, and the new $10 note began circulating on March 2, 2006.

The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve are committed to working with cash machine manufacturers and the owners of those machines to ensure a smooth transition for each redesigned currency note.

Since the beginning of The New Color of Money public education program in 2003, more than 377,000 contacts have been made with cash-handlers, machine manufacturers, associations, corporations and the general public to help them to prepare for the new currency. This ongoing outreach includes manufacturers of vending and ticketing machines, ATMs and self-service checkout counters, which are becoming increasingly prevalent at retail locations.

The following types of businesses should be especially aware of the new $10 note and of the future redesign of the $5 note:

• Cash machine manufacturers, including companies that produce bill acceptors, develop firmware and build complete systems, including bill payment kiosks and self-checkout systems.
• Users of automated cash machine technology, including supermarkets, mass merchants, home improvement centers, drug stores, financial institutions, and other companies that use bill payment kiosks.

The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve provided bill acceptor manufacturers and firmware developers with test versions of the previously redesigned notes to help them to better prepare for system updates and will do so again in advance of the $5 note's introduction. Retail users of automated cash machine technology should proactively work with their partners to prepare for changes in currency design.

Cash Machine Manufacturer and User Q&A

Why has the U.S. government decided to change the $5 note?

The government’s ongoing scrutiny of counterfeiting techniques has detected a pattern in which counterfeiters bleach the ink off of $5 notes, then print counterfeit $100 notes on the paper, deceiving the public because of similarities between the placement of the security features on the $5 and $100 notes. While these counterfeit attempts do not pose significant or immediate economic problems, a redesign of the $5 will help ensure such problems do not develop in the future.

Much like the redesign of the $10, $20 and $50 notes that are part of Series 2004, the redesigned $5 note will have a new overall design to include updated security features and design elements such as color and "symbols of freedom".

Should businesses continue to use counterfeit detection pens?
The U.S. government does not endorse the use of so-called "counterfeit detection pens," but rather encourages businesses and consumers to use the easy-to-use security features embedded in the currency notes' design.

The so-called "counterfeit detection pens" are not always reliable for detecting counterfeit notes because they only detect natural fibers or starch in the paper. If a counterfeiter uses paper with natural fibers or has bleached an authentic note and used that paper to overprint a higher face value on it, the pens will offer no protection.

When will the new $5 note begin circulating?
The U.S. government currently plans to issue the $5 note in early 2008.

Prior to issuance of the new $5 note, the U.S. government will work with machine manufacturers, retailers and vendors to ensure that companies are well prepared for the new note's introduction.

When did the new $10 note begin circulating?
The new $10 began circulating on March 2, 2006.

Can my company get a test version of the note to ensure that we are developing the right software and hardware or to ensure that my self check-out systems are properly accepting and dispensing the new $10 notes? When can I get a test note?
The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve work closely with cash machine manufacturers to ensure that companies are well-prepared for the changes to the currency. Contact your internal liaison who works with the Department of the Treasury and/or the Federal Reserve for additional information.

If I need to contact the Department of the Treasury or the Federal Reserve with additional questions, who do I call?
You can start by contacting the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's Public Education Office at 202-874-1200. If you wish, you can also contact us by email.

As a retailer, how do I know that my supplier is updating their systems? When will my stores receive updates?
The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve provide bill acceptor manufacturers and firmware developers with test versions of redesigned notes as soon as they are available in order to help them to better prepare for system updates. Retail users of automated cash machine technology should proactively work with their partners to prepare for the change in currency design. For more information, please contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's Public Education Office at 202-874-1200. If you wish, you can also contact us by email.

It's expensive to purchase updates of new software and hardware every time the government issues new money. Why can't you introduce all of the new money at once?
While it is true that additional costs are incurred when money designs change, keep in mind that these very same people would stand to be some of the hardest-hit if we failed to stay ahead of counterfeiter's efforts to pass fake currency.