Why do U.S. coins seem to be in short supply?
For the most up-to-date information on U.S. coin inventory levels, visit the Federal Reserve Board website.
Related Information
U.S. Coin Task Force
How do I determine whether or not a banknote is genuine?
The best way to determine whether a banknote is genuine is to rely on the security features in the note. An in-depth description of the security and design features in the latest $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 notes can be found on this website.
Information about the features of older-design notes can be found under the “Denominations” drop down menu.
What do I do if I think I received a counterfeit note?
If you think you've received a counterfeit note, submit a completed copy of the counterfeit note report form with the suspected note to your nearest U.S. Secret Service field office. For additional information, please visit http://www.secretservice.gov/. International users of U.S. currency should contact local law enforcement, or the nearest U.S. Secret Service field office to report suspected counterfeits.
Do you provide training?
Training and educational materials are offered on the website free of charge. Our online training module is designed for front-line staff who handle cash daily. The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and provides users with an overview of U.S. currency, information on security features, and steps to authenticate banknotes.
You can also download educational materials or order hard copies.
What are the laws regarding the reproduction and use of U.S. currency?
Federal law permits color illustrations of U.S. currency if the illustration is less than three-fourths or more than one and one-half, in linear dimension, of the item illustrated; the illustration is one-sided; and if all materials used in the making of the illustration that contains an image or part of the illustration is destroyed or erased after their final use.
For more information on the relevant laws and regulations pertaining to the legal reproduction of U.S. currency, please refer to currency image use.
Is my note legal tender? Can I still use older-design notes?
It is U.S. government policy that all designs of U.S. currency remain legal tender, or legally valid for payments, regardless of when they were issued. This policy includes all denominations of Federal Reserve notes, from 1914 to the present. There is no federal law that requires a private business, person, or organization to accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. While private businesses are free to develop their own policies, there may be state or local laws that specify a requirement to accept cash within certain jurisdictions.
For more information on the acceptance and use of Federal Reserve notes at private businesses, please refer to the Federal Reserve Board's website.
How can I obtain specific notes and coins?
In order to obtain a specific note or coin, we recommend contacting the depository institution you bank with to see if they will honor your request. Federal Reserve Banks provide paper currency and coins only to depository institutions, which then distribute them to members of the public.
