We see them every day—the familiar faces on U.S. dollar bills. But how many of us actually know who these men were, or why they were chosen to appear on America’s most used currency? For now, every portrait belongs to a man, though a federal initiative aims to introduce a woman in honor of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

So, who exactly are the people behind the portraits in your wallet? Let’s take a closer look.

$1: George Washington

George Washington, the nation’s very first president, has graced the one-dollar bill since 1869. His place on the most commonly used note isn’t just symbolic—it ensures that nearly every American handles his image daily.

Washington wasn’t just the first president. He led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and set precedents that shaped the office of the presidency itself. His role in securing independence and establishing the new nation made him the natural choice for the $1 bill.

$2: Thomas Jefferson

The rarest bill in circulation belongs to Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president and author of the Declaration of Independence. Two-dollar bills are printed in limited numbers and rarely used in everyday transactions, which makes them something of a collector’s item.

If you come across one, hold on to it—it’s both unusual and historically significant.

$5: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, appears on the $5 bill. Since 1928, his portrait has symbolized his legacy as the leader who steered the nation through its darkest period: the Civil War.

Lincoln is remembered for preserving the Union, ending slavery, and affirming the principle that all people are created equal. His moral clarity and political vision make him one of the most revered presidents in U.S. history.

$10: Alexander Hamilton

Unlike the others, Alexander Hamilton was never president. Instead, he was a Founding Father, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and the architect of America’s financial system.

Initially, the $10 bill featured Andrew Jackson, but Hamilton replaced him in 1929. His advocacy for a strong national bank, industrial growth, and public credit laid the foundation for U.S. capitalism. Hamilton’s vision was so influential that his place on the $10 bill remains undisputed.

$20: Andrew Jackson

The $20 bill features Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president—and one of the most controversial figures to appear on American currency.

Jackson owned hundreds of enslaved people during his lifetime and opposed efforts to end slavery. His Indian Removal Act led to the forced relocation and deaths of thousands of Native Americans in what became known as the “Trail of Tears.”

Although he remains a significant political figure, his presence on U.S. money has long been debated, with many calling for his replacement.

$50: Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who helped lead the North to victory in the Civil War, takes his place on the $50 bill.

As the 18th president, elected in 1868, Grant fought for civil rights, supported the 15th Amendment granting African American men the right to vote, and worked to protect newly freed citizens. He was also the first president after Jackson to serve two full terms.

Grant’s leadership during and after the war earned him recognition not just as a soldier, but as a defender of equality.

$100: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is the only non-president featured on common U.S. currency—and for good reason. A brilliant inventor, diplomat, and statesman, Franklin was instrumental in shaping the young nation.

He secured the French alliance during the Revolutionary War, negotiated the Treaty of Paris, and was the only Founding Father to sign all three of the most important founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, and the Constitution.

Franklin’s portrait has appeared on the $100 bill since 1914, a fitting tribute to a man whose genius and diplomacy helped secure America’s future.

Why These Faces Matter

The figures on U.S. bills are more than just portraits. They represent ideals, struggles, and pivotal moments in American history. While most of the choices reflect admiration for leadership and nation-building, some—like Andrew Jackson—remain deeply controversial.

As conversations continue about updating U.S. currency, especially to include women and greater diversity, one thing is clear: the images in our wallets are a reflection not only of the past, but of the values we choose to honor today.