3 Ways to Check if a 1 Dollar Bill Is Real - wikiHow (2024)

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Reviewed byAlex Kwan

Last Updated: April 19, 2024References

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   Feel the paper. US currency generally has a distinct feel that is not replicated in lower quality counterfeiting. The paper should feel rough to the touch.

   • Real money is more durable than regular paper, and it should feel crisp with age, unlike regular paper, which will feel soft.
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   Check for raised ink. One dollar bills have raised ink. You should be able to feel the texture of the ink when you run your hand over it.^[3]

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   Evaluate the thinness of the paper. Legitimate dollars 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.^[4]

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   Look closely at the bill. Low-quality counterfeits often don't get all of the details right. Giving the bill a good look might just reveal that it's fake. If something looks off, then the bill is probably a fake.

   • Comparing the bill in question to a known good one dollar bill might help you spot anything off.
   • Look closely at the borders and the portrait. The borders on a real bill will be sharp and unbroken. Look for any bleeding or blurriness. On real bills, there will be no ink bleed, and the bill will have very fine details.^[5]
   

   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.

   See Also

   Be Aware of Counterfeit BillsHow to check your banknotesWarren pharmacy out $200 after phony bills pass counterfeit pen testWhat is Counterfeit Money and How to Protect Yourself?
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   Look for the Treasury seal. 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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   Check for the Federal Reserve Bank seal. This seal is black and to the left of the portrait. The letter inside of it corresponds to a Federal Reserve Bank. Like the treasury seal, it should be clear and sharp.^[7]

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   Compare the serial numbers. 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, then they are all fake.^[8]

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   Look for the tiny red and blue fibers. Dollar bills have very small red and blue fibers embedded in the paper of the bill. You have to look very closely to see them, and they are difficult to copy.^[9]

   • If you look at the bill with a magnifying glass, then you will be able to see that the fibers appear to be "raised" on legitimate bills. But, on counterfeits, the fibers will be flat on the paper.^[10]
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   Use a counterfeit detection pen. 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.

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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.
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   Contact the police. Find your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. These numbers can be found through an online search.

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   Avoid handling the one dollar bill. 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.

   • You will not be financially reimbursed for the counterfeit money. This is to prevent individuals from receiving money for free, just because they counterfeited money.

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