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Consumer Topics: U.S. Currency

Both the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury provide information and services for U.S. Savings Bonds.

Counterfeit or Altered Currency

  • U.S. Treasury Anti-Counterfeiting Site: "Know Your Money" offsitelink
    Site designed by the Secret Service and the U.S. Treasury to help you detect counterfeit currency and guard against forgery loss
  • What To If You Receive Counterfeit Currency
    Counterfeit or altered currency or coin should be sent to the nearest U.S. Secret Service Office. For information on how to do so, please contact one of the New England offices below:

Connecticut
U.S. Secret Service
New Haven, CT
203-865-2449

New Hampshire
U.S. Secret Service
Concord, NH
603-626-5631

Maine
U.S. Secret Service
Portland, ME
207-780-3493

 Rhode Island
U.S. Secret Service
Providence, RI
401-331-6456

Massachusetts  
U.S. Secret Service
Boston, MA
(617) 565-5640

Vermont
U.S. Secret Service
Burlington, VT
802-651-4091

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Damaged or Mutilated Currency

Damaged or mutilated notes should be taken to a bank for redemption. When partially destroyed currency is of questionable value, the fragments should be sent by registered mail to:

Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, OCS/BEPA
P.O. Box 37048
Washington, D.C. 20013

 

Commemorative Coins

Members of the public who wish to order commemorative coins should either contact their local financial institution, or contact the United States Mint's secure web site, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT.

U.S. Mint Coin Coin and Medal Programs offsitelink

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Other Resources

Coins and Currency coverCoins and Currency pdf
The history of American currency, from Columbus to the Information Age.

Coins and Currency cover "History at Your Fingertips" and "Spirit of the Nation" pdf
Traces the evolution of paper currency in the United States, focusing on the different themes depicted on bills.

 

Coins and Currency coverHistory of Colonial Money pdf
An outline of the evolution of money in the Colonial period. Describes wampum, "country pay," foreign and domestic coins, bills of credit, and continental currency. Includes a short glossary.

Coins and Currency cover"Liberty" and "The American Eagle" pdf
Examines two emblems that were the hallmark of early U.S. coinage

 

 

 


Bureau of Engraving and Printing web site offsitelink
Information about U.S. banknotes, anti-counterfeiting, money facts, help with shredded and mutilated currency, and links to BEP store.