How to Check If a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real

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An in-depth guide to detecting counterfeit $1 bills

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: December 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Spot a Fake 1 Dollar Bill

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Reporting Counterfeit Money

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

One dollar bills generally are not counterfeited because of their low value, so it’s unlikely that you’ll ever encounter one. However, there have been cases of it happening before, so it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs of a fake $1 dollar bill, just to be safe. These bills don’t have as many security features as higher value bills, but there are a few you can check, and we’ll go over them all. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Signs That a 1 Dollar Bill is Fake

Feel the bill’s texture. It should be crisp and slightly rough to the touch, not smooth or glossy. Next, run your finger along the ink. It should feel slightly raised, not flat. Finally, look for the Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank seals and tiny red and blue threads in the paper. If it’s missing these, it’s fake.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Spot a Fake 1 Dollar Bill

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Feel the paper and assess its texture. U.S. currency is printed on special paper made of 25% linen and 75% cotton, which gives it a very distinct texture (and also makes it more durable).^{[1]
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Research source}A real $1 bill should feel crisp and slightly rough to the touch. If it feels smooth or glossy like regular printer paper, it may be a counterfeit.
- Evaluate the thinness of the paper, too. Legitimate bills will generally be thinner than regular paper because of the printing process. You can compare a dollar bill to a regular piece of paper to see if it is thinner or not.
Run your finger over the bill to feel the ink. Real U.S. bills are made using a process called Intaglio printing, which causes the ink to have a slightly raised texture.^{[2]
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Research source} If the ink on your bill feels entirely flat to the touch, this could be a sign that it’s a fake.^{[3]
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Look for blurry images, borders, or text. Genuine U.S. bills feature very detailed fine-line engraving and micro-printing.^{[4]
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Research source} This means that all the designs and text should be incredibly neat and sharp. If you notice any ink bleeding, blurriness, or errors in the images or writing on the bill, these could definitely be signs that it’s a counterfeit.^{[5]
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- Low-quality counterfeits often don't get all of the details right. Comparing the bill in question to a known good one dollar bill might help you spot anything off.
Thomas E. Hudgeons Jr, Currency Historian

Examining the paper quality and intricate details of money is key to detecting counterfeits. Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Examine the fine printing, portraits, seals, and serial numbers under good lighting, looking for any blurriness, missing elements, or misaligned edges that could indicate a fake.
Real one dollar bills will have a green treasury seal to the right of the portrait under the text, "ONE". The treasury seal should be clear and sharp.^{[6]
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This seal is black and should be positioned to the left of the portrait. The letter inside of it corresponds to the Federal Reserve Bank that distributed the bill. Like the treasury seal, it should be clear and sharp.^{[7]
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If you have multiple suspicious one dollar bills, compare the serial numbers on them. Serial numbers are never repeated, so if you have multiple bills with the same serial number, they're all fake.^{[8]
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Look for the tiny red and blue fibers. Real dollar bills have very small red and blue threads embedded in the paper. You have to look very closely to see them, and they are difficult for counterfeiters to copy.^{[9]
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Research source} If your bill doesn’t have these fibers distributed randomly throughout the paper, it’s likely fake.
- If you look at legitimate bills with a magnifying glass, you'll see that the fibers appear to be slightly raised. However, when counterfeiters try to replicate the fibers, they'll usually be flat on the paper.^{[10]
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The $1 bill features a portrait of George Washington on the front and the Great Seal on the back, and this design hasn’t changed since it was first issued.^{[11]
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Research source} If the designs on your bill differ from these at all, this indicates that it’s a counterfeit.
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Check for security features that should only be present on larger bills. Higher value bills often have security features like a security thread, color-changing ink, and watermarks to help distinguish them from counterfeits. These features are not present on real $1 bills, so if you see any of them, your bill is likely fake.^{[12]
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- Watermarks only appear on U.S. bills worth $5 or more.
- Color changing ink is only used on bills worth $10 or more.
- Vertical security threads are only present on bills worth $5 or more.^{[13]
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Counterfeit detection pens, while not foolproof, can still detect counterfeit bills in some cases. Directions for how to use a pen varies by manufacturer, but they will all come with instructions for how to use them.

Section 2 of 2:

Reporting Counterfeit Money

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Remember the customer. If possible, delay whoever gave you the counterfeit money, so that you can remember as much about that person’s appearance as possible. Take note of any accomplices or companions. Write down their license plate number if applicable.
- Remember that the person who gave you the counterfeit bill might not be the original counterfeiter. They might be an innocent person who thought the bill was real.
Find your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. These numbers can be found through an online search.
Carefully place it into a protective covering, such as an envelope or sandwich bag. This is so that the authorities will be able to gather as much information as possible from the bill. This will also help you know which bill is the counterfeit.
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Give the bill to the authorities. Make sure to only give the bill to a police officer or U.S. Secret Service special agent. When asked, give them as much information as possible about the bill.
- Will banks exchange counterfeit bills? No, you will not be financially reimbursed for the counterfeit money, and banks will not exchange the fake bill for a real bill.^{[14]
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  Research source} This is to prevent counterfeiters from receiving money for free if they claim they were given counterfeit money.

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Dose this to apply to currency around the world or just specific dollar?

R2_d2000

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This only applies to US dollars. For currency in other countries, refer to the information published by the appropriate ministry or department in that country.

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Are they still using one dollar bills?

R2_d2000

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Yes, one dollar bills are still used and produced, although many people now use credit and debit cards instead of paper currency these days.

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Should the green ink run when it gets wet?

R2_d2000

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No, none of the ink should run in the bill gets wet. If the ink does run, then you have a counterfeit.

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Tips

However, if you've heard that there are counterfeit one dollar bills circulating nearby, then you might want to apply more scrutiny to any that you receive.

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Keep in mind that many of these steps could be overkill for one dollar bills. They are rarely counterfeited, and if you work in a store, it will probably annoy most customers if you check over one dollar bills with a magnifier. Looking closely for a second or two should be enough.

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Warnings

Do not create counterfeit money. It is illegal to possess, produce, or use counterfeit money; if a prosecutor can prove that you planned to use the money, then you can be punished with a fine and up to 20 years in prison.

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