Portrait: Ulysses S. Grant

Reverse: United States Capitol

Drescription: The current U.S. $50 bill, in circulation since 2004, features a portrait of President Ulysses S. Grant on the front and the U.S. Capitol building on the back, with subtle background colors of blue and red. Key security features include a color-shifting "50" in the lower right corner, a portrait watermark of Grant, and a security thread that glows yellow under UV light.

Key Features and Design

Obverse (Front): Features Ulysses S. Grant. The design includes a blue and red background, with a field of blue stars to the left and red stripes to the right.

Reverse (Back): Features the U.S. Capitol building.

Color-Shifting Ink: The numeral "50" in the lower right corner changes from copper to green when tilted.

Watermark: A faint, portrait-style watermark of President Grant is visible when held to the light.

Security Thread: An embedded vertical thread to the right of the portrait is imprinted with "USA 50" and glows yellow under UV light.

Anti-Counterfeiting: Includes raised printing and microprinting.

Usage and History

Value: It is the most expensive, yet one of the least circulated, U.S. denominations.

Lifespan: The average $50 bill stays in circulation for roughly 12.2 years before replacement.

Origin: The first $50 bill was issued in 1861, though modern designs have significantly updated security.