Who is on the $50 Dollar Bill: A Brief History
The $50 bill has been in circulation since 1862, and it's one of the most commonly counterfeited bills. Harlan County has recently seen a surge of counterfeit currency being passed into circulation, as a large number of fake $50 bills were discovered in the area. The U.S. Treasury has made several updates to the bill's design to prevent counterfeiting, including adding a watermark and a security thread.
But did you know that some $50 bills are worth more than their face value? That's right - if you have a $50 bill with a rare serial number, it could be worth a lot more than $50. That $1, $5 or $10 bill in your wallet might be worth way more than its face value if it has one of these 15 types of serial numbers.
The face on the $50 bill is none other than Ulysses S. Grant, a Civil War hero and the 18th President of the United States. Grant was born in Ohio in 1822 and had a successful military career before entering politics. He served as President from 1869 to 1877 and is remembered for his efforts to reconstruct the country after the Civil War.
In 2017, a collector noticed something unusual on some Series 2017A $50 notes printed at the BEP Fort Worth facility: differing font sizes on the face. These bills quickly became collector's items, and some are worth significantly more than $50.
But not everyone is lucky enough to find a rare $50 bill. In fact, some people will do anything to get their hands on one. In 2020, a 65-year-old woman got into a physical altercation with a grocery store clerk after finding a $50 bill on the floor and wanting to keep it. White store clerks in Austin County, Texas, attacked 65-year-old Betty Smith for finding a $50 bill on the floor.
Despite the value of some $50 bills, the currency has seen its fair share of ups and downs. The currencies of nearly every major economy have fallen against the dollar, from the British pound to the South Korean won. This has led to concerns about national security and the impact of the dollar's strength on global markets.
While most people are familiar with the face on the $50 bill, not many know about the other denominations that the U.S. Treasury has discontinued or that are considered rare. For example, the $2 bill is still in circulation but is rarely seen. The $500 and $1,000 bills were discontinued in 1969, and the $5,000 and $10,000 bills were discontinued in 1969.
In recent years, there has been a push to put more women on U.S. currency. While the faces on the $50, $20, and $10 bills remain the same, the $5 bill will soon feature civil rights activist and abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
In conclusion, the $50 bill is an iconic piece of U.S. currency, and its history is filled with interesting stories and facts. From counterfeit currency to rare serial numbers, the $50 bill has seen it all. Whether you're a collector or just someone who appreciates history, the $50 bill is a fascinating piece of American culture.
