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How to Read Different Types of Money

U.S. paper currency contains many details such as serial numbers, seals and specific patterns that allow them to be tracked and recorded, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. But understanding the details of U.S. money also can allow you to learn interesting information about where and when your money was printed. The member banks of the Federal Reserve system are responsible for issuing all U.S. paper money, but the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving is responsible for actually printing the money. The bureau is able to provide information about the specific design elements and what they mean.

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the type of money you have. There are three types of notes in circulation in the United States -- Federal Reserve notes, United States notes and Silver certificates. About 99 percent of all notes in circulation are Federal Reserve Notes. If you have a United States note or a Silver certificate, you have a fairly old piece of money. United States notes have not been issued since 1971, and Silver certificates have not been issued since 1964. Each note is clearly labeled on its face, along the top center edge.
- 2
  Determine where your money was printed. All modern U.S. paper currency is printed either in Washington, D.C. or Fort Worth, Texas. Notes that are printed at the Fort Worth facility will have a small "FW" symbol printed on their face. On the $1, $2 and $5 bills, look for the FW mark near the lower right corner of the bill's face. On new $10 bills, it is just to the right of the portrait of Alexander Hamilton. On the $20 bill, look for it in the upper right corner. If an FW does not appear on the face, the bill was printed at the Washington, D.C. facility.
- 3
  Find which Federal Reserve Bank issued your money. The first letter in the serial number on the face of all U.S. currency identifies which Federal Reserve Bank issued the currency -- in other words, which region of the country the money was first distributed. There are 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks. The letter code system is: A - Boston; B - New York; C - Philadelphia; D - Cleveland; E - Richmond; F - Atlanta; G - Chicago; H - St. Louis; I - Minneapolis; J - Kansas City; K - Dallas; L - San Francisco.
- 4
  Check the bill's serial number to determine the year it was printed. Generally, there are no easy ways to look at a piece of U.S. currency and immediately determine the year that it was printed. Notes have a series year on their faces near the signature of the secretary of the Treasury. The series year identifies when that particular design of bill first was printed. The series year will tell you the earliest year that a bill could have been printed. But often a series year actually will last for several calendar years. The Bureau of Printing and Engraving keeps track of the serial numbers and the years that they were issued through monthly production reports that are released to the public. There also are private websites that keep updated tables matching serial numbers to the year that they were printed.

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