$10 Bill: Alexander Hamilton & More - Facts & History [2024]
Ever wondered whose face gazes back at you from the ten-dollar bill, and why? Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father who never held the presidency, has held a prominent place on the U.S. currency for nearly a century, a testament to his lasting influence on American finance and policy.
The obverse of the ten-dollar bill showcases a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Alongside his image, you'll find two renditions of the torch from the Statue of Liberty (symbolizing "Liberty Enlightening the World"), and the words "We the People" borrowed from the original Constitution. This design, however, wasn't always the face of the ten-dollar bill. Before Hamilton's visage graced the currency, President Andrew Jackson held the spotlight, initially appearing on the 1914 bill before later being moved to the twenty-dollar bill.
The ten-dollar bill is unique in that it's the only U.S. currency currently featuring Alexander Hamilton's portrait. While his image is not found on other denominations of bills, his legacy extends beyond the printed bills, as his likeness has also appeared on commemorative coins and medals issued by the U.S. government. The decision of which figures to honor on U.S. currency is a complex one, often involving considerations of historical significance, public sentiment, and the potential impact of the change.
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Heres a quick summary: Alexander Hamilton's face has been on the ten-dollar bill since 1929, succeeding Andrew Jackson. Although he never became president, his position and the policies he enacted had a profound influence on the formative financial systems and economy of the United States.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Alexander Hamilton |
Born | January 11, 1755 or 1757 (disputed) |
Birthplace | Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies |
Died | July 12, 1804 (aged 47 or 49) |
Deathplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Known For | First U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Founding Father of the United States, Federalist Papers Author |
Political Party | Federalist |
Spouse | Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton |
Children | 8 (including Philip and James Alexander) |
Key Achievements |
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Influenced |
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Notable Writings |
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Legacy |
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Controversies |
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Additional Notes | He was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and a key architect of the new nation's government. |
Reference | National Archives |
Beyond the ten-dollar bill, the faces that grace our currency have a long and fascinating history. The other prominent face on our paper currency is that of Benjamin Franklin, found on the hundred-dollar bill. These selections are more than mere decoration; they reflect the values and priorities of the nation.
As the United States looks to the future of its currency, changes are on the horizon. In a move that has generated considerable discussion, the designs of the new twenty, ten, and five-dollar bills are expected to be unveiled in 2020, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. The new ten-dollar bill will, for the first time in more than a century, feature the portrait of a woman.
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The forthcoming redesign of the $10 bill will showcase the achievements of prominent women from American history. Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul will be among the figures to be honored on the new design. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew stated, "The new ten will be the first bill in more than a century to feature a portrait of a woman."
To understand the current state of the American currency, lets recap the faces and the buildings that they are associated with:
- $1.00: George Washington, with the Great Seal on the back.
- $2.00: Thomas Jefferson, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back.
- $5.00: Abraham Lincoln, with the Lincoln Memorial on the back.
- $10.00: Alexander Hamilton, with the U.S. Treasury on the back.
- $20.00: Andrew Jackson, with the White House on the back.
- $50.00: Ulysses S. Grant, with the U.S. Capitol on the back.
- $100.00: Benjamin Franklin, with Independence Hall on the back.
The new ten dollar bill will feature the face of a woman. Martha Washington was the last woman whose face appeared on U.S. currency. The current ten dollar bill features Alexander Hamilton. His portrait has been on the obverse side of the ten dollar bill since 1929.
Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the United States. There are 59 individual portraits of people central to the history of the United States depicted on the country's banknotes, including presidents, cabinet members, members of congress, founding fathers, jurists, and military leaders. The current $10 note is purple.
In a similar vein, the evolution of currency isn't limited to the U.S. In Canada, the current $10 note features Viola Desmond, a Black Nova Scotian businesswoman who challenged racial segregation at a film theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in 1946. The image of Desmond is a powerful symbol of social justice and the fight against discrimination. In the current Canadian $10 bill, she is the first Black Canadian and first non-royal woman on Canadian currency.
The $10,000 bill, bearing the likeness of Salmon P. Chase, a politician, former Chief Justice of the United States, and former Secretary of the Treasury, also offers a glimpse into the choices of the past.
As a side note, in Australia, the new $10 note was rolled out. The new $10 banknote retains the portraits of Dame Mary Gilmore and AB 'Banjo' Paterson, which are drawn from the same source photographs represented on the first polymer $10 banknote. The banknote also depicts images from the era of Gilmore and Paterson's works.
The Eisenhower dollar paid tribute to Americas 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The coin was issued by the United States Mint from 1971 to 1978 and was the first coin of that denomination issued by the mint for circulation since the Peace dollar series ended in 1935.
The Coinage Act of 1792 laid the foundations for the currency we use today, establishing the dime (spelled disme in the legislation), cent, and mill as subdivisions of the dollar, equivalent to 1/10, 1/100, and 1/1000 of a dollar, respectively. This act helped to standardize and simplify financial transactions across the new nation, a key step in its economic development. This shows how the currency reflects not only the faces of influential figures but also the historical events and policies that shaped the United States.



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