History of the United States Dollar

The Continental Congress authorizes the US dollar

Jul 6, 1785

The Continental Congress was made up of delegates from the 13 colonies and subsequent states. They met from 1774 until 1789.

Coinage Act of 1722 establishes dollar as basic monetary unit

Apr 2, 1792

This act began minting. David Rittenhouse was the first mint director.

$1 is worth $25.05 in 2025

1800

$1 is worth $40.46 in 2025

1850

The 20 dollar bill begins printing

1861

The confederate note reads "The Confederate States of America."

The first 1 dollar bill is issued

1862

It featured former Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase's portrait.

George Washington first appears on the 1 dollar bill

1869

It features the marking of "Treasury Note" instead of "United States Note."

$1 is worth $37.82 in 2025

1900

Andrew Jackson is added to the 20 dollar bill

1928

Jackson was opposed to paper money and the National Bank.

The first small-sized bills are issued

Jul 10, 1929

They measured 6.14 in by 2.61 in. This is the modern size.

$1 is worth $13.18 in 2025

1950

"IN GOD WE TRUST"is declared the national motto

Jul 30, 1956

It is found on the reverse of every dollar bill.

$1 is worth $1.84 in 2025

2000