George Washington on U.S. Banknotes
The portrait of George Washington appears on the $1 note, which is the most widely circulated denomination in the United States. The current series is the 2013 Federal Reserve Note, with the $1 note accounting for roughly half of all U.S. banknotes in circulation by volume, according to the Federal Reserve. The obverse features a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, while the reverse shows the Great Seal of the United States. The note is printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued through the Federal Reserve Banks.
Although Washington is most famously on the $1 note, his portrait has also appeared on other denominations in earlier series. The $2 note, which features a reverse depicting Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, has been issued in various series since 1976, but the primary circulating portrait of Washington remains on the $1 note. The $1 note is the only denomination in current production that bears the Washington portrait, and it is the default denomination for most consumer transactions in the United States.
George Washington on Coins
George Washington's profile is featured on the obverse of the United States quarter dollar, which is part of the circulating coinage produced by the U.S. Mint. The current quarter design uses a modified version of the original 1932 John Flanagan portrait, with the denomination and mint mark on the reverse. The U.S. Mint produces billions of quarters annually to meet circulation demand, and the Washington quarter remains the standard circulating quarter in everyday commerce.
The 50 State Quarters Program, which ran from 1999 to 2008, placed unique reverse designs for each state behind the Washington portrait, significantly increasing public engagement with the coin. More recently, the America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010–2021) continued using the Washington obverse while featuring national parks and sites on the reverse. The U.S. Mint also issues special Washington quarters for collectors, including proof and uncirculated sets, through its official sales channels.
Security Features and Design Details
The $1 note includes security features such as a portrait watermark visible when held to light, a color-shifting numeral 1 in the lower right corner on notes printed since 2013, and a security thread embedded in the paper. The note is printed on a cotton-linen blend substrate that is distinct from standard paper, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces the notes at facilities in Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas. The Federal Reserve uses the notes to replace damaged currency and to meet seasonal demand, with the $1 note representing the largest share of new note production by volume.
The Washington quarter's obverse design is protected under U.S. Mint specifications, and the coin's composition has changed over time, with current circulation quarters struck in a copper-nickel clad composition. The U.S. Mint's official specifications and production reports are available through its website, which provides detailed data on mintage figures, metal content, and design changes. Collectors and researchers can verify current production numbers and design details through the U.S. Mint's official resources.