3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (2024)

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1Feeling the Bill

2Looking at the Bill

3Reporting Counterfeit Money

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Reviewed byAlex Kwan

Last Updated: April 19, 2024References

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One dollar bills generally are not counterfeited because of their low value, and you probably will never encounter one. However, there have been cases of it happening.[1][2] While a one dollar bill does not have as much security features as other bills, it does still have some. This wikiHow will teach you how to check if a 1 dollar bill is real or not.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Feeling the Bill

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  1. 1

    Feel the paper. US currency generally has a distinct feel that is not replicated in lower quality counterfeiting. The paper should feel rough to the touch.

    • Real money is more durable than regular paper, and it should feel crisp with age, unlike regular paper, which will feel soft.
  2. 2

    Check for raised ink. One dollar bills have raised ink. You should be able to feel the texture of the ink when you run your hand over it.[3]

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  3. 3

    Evaluate the thinness of the paper. Legitimate dollars will generally be thinner than regular paper because of the printing process. You can compare a dollar bill to a regular piece of paper to see if it is thinner or not.[4]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Looking at the Bill

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  1. 1

    Look closely at the bill. Low-quality counterfeits often don't get all of the details right. Giving the bill a good look might just reveal that it's fake. If something looks off, then the bill is probably a fake.

    • Comparing the bill in question to a known good one dollar bill might help you spot anything off.
    • Look closely at the borders and the portrait. The borders on a real bill will be sharp and unbroken. Look for any bleeding or blurriness. On real bills, there will be no ink bleed, and the bill will have very fine details.[5]
    3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (9)

    Thomas E. Hudgeons Jr, Currency Historian

    Examining the paper quality and intricate details of money is key to detecting counterfeits. Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Examine the fine printing, portraits, seals, and serial numbers under good lighting, looking for any blurriness, missing elements, or misaligned edges that could indicate a fake.

  2. 2

    Look for the Treasury seal. Real one dollar bills will have a green treasury seal to the right of the portrait under the text, "ONE". The treasury seal should be clear and sharp.[6]

  3. 3

    Check for the Federal Reserve Bank seal. This seal is black and to the left of the portrait. The letter inside of it corresponds to a Federal Reserve Bank. Like the treasury seal, it should be clear and sharp.[7]

  4. 4

    Compare the serial numbers. If you have multiple suspicious one dollar bills, compare the serial numbers on them. Serial numbers are never repeated, so if you have multiple bills with the same serial number, then they are all fake.[8]

  5. 5

    Look for the tiny red and blue fibers. Dollar bills have very small red and blue fibers embedded in the paper of the bill. You have to look very closely to see them, and they are difficult to copy.[9]

    • If you look at the bill with a magnifying glass, then you will be able to see that the fibers appear to be "raised" on legitimate bills. But, on counterfeits, the fibers will be flat on the paper.[10]
  6. 6

    Use a counterfeit detection pen. Counterfeit detection pens, while not foolproof, can still detect counterfeit bills in some cases. Directions for how to use a pen varies by manufacturer, but they will all come with instructions for how to use them.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Reporting Counterfeit Money

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  1. 1

    Remember the customer. If possible, delay whoever gave you the counterfeit money so that you can remember as much about that person’s appearance as possible. Take note of any accomplices or companions. Write down their license plate number if applicable.

    • Remember that the person who gave you the counterfeit bill might not be the original counterfeiter. They might be an innocent person who thought the bill was real.
  2. 2

    Contact the police. Find your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. These numbers can be found through an online search.

  3. 3

    Avoid handling the one dollar bill. Carefully place it into a protective covering, such as an envelope or sandwich bag. This is so that the authorities will be able to gather as much information as possible from the bill. This will also help you know which bill is the counterfeit.

  4. 4

    Give the bill to the authorities. Make sure to only give the bill to a police officer or U.S. Secret Service special agent. When asked, give them as much information as possible about the bill.

    • You will not be financially reimbursed for the counterfeit money. This is to prevent individuals from receiving money for free, just because they counterfeited money.
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  • Question

    Dose this to apply to currency around the world or just specific dollar?

    3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (20)

    R2_d2000

    Top Answerer

    This only applies to US dollars. For currency in other countries, refer to the information published by the appropriate ministry or department in that country.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 3Helpful 21

  • Question

    Are they still using one dollar bills?

    3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (21)

    R2_d2000

    Top Answerer

    Yes, one dollar bills are still used and produced, although many people now use credit and debit cards instead of paper currency these days.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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  • Question

    Should the green ink run when it gets wet?

    3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (22)

    R2_d2000

    Top Answerer

    No, none of the ink should run in the bill gets wet. If the ink does run, then you have a counterfeit.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Tips

      • Most of these steps are overkill for one dollar bills. They are rarely counterfeited, and if you work in a store, it will probably annoy most customers if you check over one dollar bills with a magnifier. Looking closely for a second or two should be enough.

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        Helpful0Not Helpful1

      • If you have heard on the local news, or from your friends, that there are counterfeit one dollar bills circulating nearby, then you might want to apply more scrutiny to any that you receive.

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      Warnings

      • Do not create counterfeit money. It is illegal to possess, produce, or use counterfeit money; if a prosecutor can prove that you planned to use the money, then you can be punished with a fine and up to 20 years in prison.

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      References

      1. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/us/cbp-seized-shipping-container-trnd/index.html
      2. https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/finding-mr-880-case-1-counterfeit-article-1.109016
      3. https://currencyguide.eu/usd-en/1usd-en.html#:~:text=Here%20are%205%20easy%20steps%20to%20detect%20fake,bill.%20...%205%20Examine%20the%20serial%20numbers.%20
      4. https://money.howstuffworks.com/counterfeit.htm#pt3
      5. https://currencyguide.eu/usd-en/1usd-en.html#:~:text=Here%20are%205%20easy%20steps%20to%20detect%20fake,bill.%20...%205%20Examine%20the%20serial%20numbers.%20
      6. https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/1
      7. https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/1-1963-present-features-en.pdf
      8. https://currencyguide.eu/usd-en/1usd-en.html#:~:text=Here%20are%205%20easy%20steps%20to%20detect%20fake,bill.%20...%205%20Examine%20the%20serial%20numbers.%20
      9. https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/1-1963-present-features-en.pdf

      More References (1)

      About This Article

      3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (37)

      Reviewed by:

      Alex Kwan

      Certified Public Accountant

      This article was reviewed by Alex Kwan. Alex Kwan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the CEO of Flex Tax and Consulting Group in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has also served as a Vice President for one of the top five Private Equity Firms. With over a decade of experience practicing public accounting, he specializes in client-centered accounting and consulting, R&D tax services, and the small business sector. This article has been viewed 171,743 times.

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      Updated: April 19, 2024

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      Categories: Managing Your Money

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      3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow? ›

      Examine the fine printing, portraits, seals, and serial numbers under good lighting, looking for any blurriness, missing elements, or misaligned edges that could indicate a fake. Look for the Treasury seal. Real one dollar bills will have a green treasury seal to the right of the portrait under the text, "ONE".

      How to check if a 1 dollar bill is real? ›

      $1 Note
      1. Federal Reserve Bank Seal. A black seal to the left of the portrait bears the name and corresponding letter of the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.
      2. Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury. ...
      3. Portrait and Vignette. ...
      4. Serial Numbers.

      How to check if US dollar is real? ›

      Security Thread All genuine FRNs, except the $1 and $2, have a clear thread embedded vertically in the paper. The thread is inscribed with the denomination of the note and is visible only when held to light. Each denomination has a unique thread position and glows a different color when held to ultraviolet (UV) light.

      What is the number 1 way most people detect counterfeit dollar bills? ›

      Examine the serial numbers.

      Make sure that the serial numbers on a bill match, and look at them carefully. Fake bills may have serial numbers that are not evenly spaced or that are not perfectly aligned in a row. If you received multiple suspicious bills, see if the serial numbers are the same on both bills.

      How do I know how much my $1 bill is worth? ›

      Here are three things to look for on your bills if they are worth more than a dollar:
      1. The Series date located near the photograph of George Washington must read “Series 2013”
      2. The bill must have a “B” Federal Reserve Seal above the serial number.
      Apr 28, 2024

      How to check counterfeit money with a pen? ›

      Simply mark the bill and watch: if the ink turns dark, the note is likely a counterfeit. Perfect wherever you need fast, portable verification, such as at markets and events or in taxis and delivery vans.

      How to check for fake notes? ›

      When you tilt the note from side to side, the words change between the value of the note and 'Pounds'. A 3D image of the coronation crown appears above the main see-through window. On the back of the notes, directly behind the silver crown on the front, there is a metallic, foil patch.

      How do you check when a dollar bill was made? ›

      The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year. A “star” suffix is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process. If you'd like to learn more about the U.S. currency production process, please visit https://www.bep.gov/currency/how-money-is-made.

      How to check fake money with phone? ›

      Capture an image of your banknote with either the front-facing or back-facing camera on your mobile device. Once the denomination has been detected, the app will display the key security features that are visible on genuine currency.

      How to detect fake money using UV light? ›

      UV Properties: If you shine an ultraviolet light on a bill, the security thread will glow. Each denomination glows a different color. Magnetic & Color Shifting Inks: Some counterfeit detectors can sense the magnetic properties of inks to tell if bills are real.

      How can you tell the difference between a real and fake 100 dollar bill? ›

      Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows pink when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

      What happens if you use counterfeit money without knowing? ›

      Making or using fake money is a serious crime that can get you up to 20 years in jail. Both federal and state laws punish counterfeiting, and fines can be very high. You must know the money is fake to be guilty; if it's an accident, you might not be charged.

      How do you tell if a $1 bill is real or fake? ›

      Examine the fine printing, portraits, seals, and serial numbers under good lighting, looking for any blurriness, missing elements, or misaligned edges that could indicate a fake. Look for the Treasury seal. Real one dollar bills will have a green treasury seal to the right of the portrait under the text, "ONE".

      How can I check a dollar serial number? ›

      Serial numbers are eight-digit-long codes that are unique to each bill. They are accompanied by other identifying letters and numbers that tell us which series year the bill is from and where it was printed. They are found on the front of U.S. currency and are always printed twice.

      Is there an app to check dollar bills? ›

      Easily identify banknotes with Cash Reader! Just point your camera at any bill from over a hundred supported currencies and hear its value instantly. Key Features Loved by Our Users: Fast and Precise Identification: Recognizes even small portions of banknotes.

      How much is a 1957 $1 bill worth? ›

      Heavily worn 1957 $1 bills, such as those that are rag-like in appearance, are discolored, and/or have handwriting are generally worth only face value.

      Is the $1 billion dollar note real or fake? ›

      No. The highest denomination bill used in commerce was $10,000. The Treasury Department had $100,000 bills printed, but they were only used for cash transfers between Federal Reserve banks.

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