$50 Note

2004-Present-front
2004-Present-front
2004-Present-back
Security Thread

Security Thread

Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 and a small flag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

Watermark

Watermark

Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Grant in the blank space to the right of the portrait.  The image is visible from both sides of the note.

Color-Shifting Ink

Color-Shifting Ink

Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from copper to green.

  • Federal Reserve System Seal

    Federal Reserve System Seal

    A black seal to the left of the portrait represents the entire Federal Reserve System.  A letter and number beneath the left serial number identifies the distributing Federal Reserve Bank.

  • Microprinting

    Microprinting

    Look carefully (magnification may be necessary) to see the small printed text FIFTYUSA, and 50 inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, FIFTY repeated within both side borders of the note, and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in President Grant’s collar.

  • Raised Printing

    Raised Printing

    Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.

  • Paper

    Paper

    Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, and contains red and blue security fibers. 

  • Color

    Color

    The note includes subtle background colors of blue and red to both sides of the note.

  • Portrait and Vignette

    The $50 note features a portrait of President Grant on the front of the note and a vignette of the United States Capitol on the back of the note.

  • Symbols of Freedom

    Symbols of Freedom

    Representative of the United States flag, a field of blue stars is located to the left of the portrait, while three red stripes are located to the right of the portrait.  A small metallic silver-blue star is located on the lower right side of the portrait.

  • Green 50

    Green 50

    A large green numeral 50 on the back of the note helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.

  • Treasury Seal

    Treasury Seal

    A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

  • Serial Numbers

    Serial Numbers

    A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note.

  • Series Year

    Series Year

    The design includes series years 2004, 2004A, 2006, 2009, and 2013.

Security Thread

Security Thread

Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 and a small flag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

Watermark

Watermark

Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Grant in the blank space to the right of the portrait.  The image is visible from both sides of the note.

Color-Shifting Ink

Color-Shifting Ink

Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from copper to green.

The $50 note features subtle background colors of blue and red, and includes an embedded security thread that glows yellow when illuminated by UV light. When held to light, a portrait watermark of President Grant is visible from both sides of the note. The note includes a color-shifting numeral 50 in the lower right corner of the note.

Fifty dollars

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Color-Shifting Ink

Tilt the note to see the numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front of the note shift from copper to green.

Portrait Watermark

Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of President Grant in the blank space to the right of the portrait.  The image is visible from both sides of the note.

Security Thread

Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the right of the portrait.  The thread is imprinted with the text USA 50 and a small flag in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note.  The thread glows yellow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

Raised Printing

Move your finger along the note’s surface to feel the raised printing, which gives genuine Federal Reserve notes their distinctive texture.

Microprinting

Look carefully (magnification may be necessary) to see the small printed text FIFTY, USA, and 50 inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, FIFTY repeated within both side borders of the note, and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA In President Grant’s collar.

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History

$50 Note Life Cycle

Before a Federal Reserve note enters circulation, it must pass through four critical steps: design, order, production, and issuance.

  • 364.8
    million notes
    2018 FY Print Order
  • $86.4
    billion
    2017 Value in Circulation
  • 8.5
    years
    Estimated Lifespan

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