What is the highest dollar bill you can get from the bank?

Quick Answer

The highest dollar bill that banks generally have available and dispense is the $100 bill. While larger denominations like $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $100,000 bills exist, they are no longer produced and are not circulated for general public use. The largest bill commonly available today remains the $100 note.

Overview of US Currency Denominations

The U.S. Treasury has issued paper currency in denominations ranging from $1 to $100,000 over the years. Here is a quick overview of the major denominations that have been in circulation at various points in time:

  • $1 bill – The most common denomination in circulation today.
  • $2 bill – Uncommon but still in circulation.
  • $5 bill – Common denomination circulated today.
  • $10 bill – Popular and frequently used denomination today.
  • $20 bill – Widely available denomination, dispensed from ATMs.
  • $50 bill – Less common but can be obtained from many banks.
  • $100 bill – Highest value common bill dispensed today.
  • $500 bill – Last printed in 1945 and discontinued in 1969.
  • $1,000 bill – Last printed in 1945 and discontinued around 1969.
  • $5,000 bill – Only issued as an interest bearing note from 1928 to 1934.
  • $10,000 bill – Printed from 1928 to 1945 but rarely circulated.
  • $100,000 bill – Only used for transactions between Federal Reserve banks.

As we can see, the $100 bill remains the highest paper currency denomination still widely available for public use. However, larger denominations did exist in decades past before being phased out.

When Was the $100 Bill First Issued?

The $100 bill first entered circulation in 1869, joining the $1, $2, $500, and $1,000 denominations already in use. The large size C-note featured a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and an allegorical image on the back. This first $100 bill measured 7.42 inches by 3.125 inches.

This original $100 banknote issued in 1869 was known as a “spread eagle” note due to the motif on the back depicting an eagle with wings spread across the battlefield of Gettysburg. It also included intricate geometric patterns and imagery of Martha Washington.

In 1929, all U.S. currency was significantly downsized, shrinking to the 6.14 inch by 2.61 inch dimensions we are familiar with today. New small-sized $100 Federal Reserve Notes were issued starting in December 1945. These new notes featured Benjamin Franklin’s portrait.

The $100 bill design underwent other periodic changes such as the inclusion of security threads and watermarks to deter counterfeiting. The most recent $100 bill redesign occurred in 1996 to incorporate a larger off-center portrait of Franklin along with more complex security enhancements.

Key Dates for the $100 Bill

  • 1869 – The first $100 United States Note issued featuring Abraham Lincoln.
  • 1929 – All U.S. banknotes downsized to modern dimensions.
  • 1945 – The $100 Federal Reserve Note debuted with Benjamin Franklin portrait.
  • 1996 – Major anti-counterfeiting redesign with larger off-center Franklin portrait.

For over 150 years, the $100 bill has been the highest value paper money available for public use. It remains the largest routinely dispensed note from ATMs and banks.

When Did Larger Banknotes Stop Being Printed?

The U.S. Treasury discontinued printing banknotes larger than $100 in 1945. The last $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills were produced that year.

These large denomination notes had not been in active circulation for some time. As early as 1869, the government ceased using high-value banknotes for routine transactions due to concerns over counterfeiting and theft. The last $500 and $1,000 bills were finally pulled out of circulation by banks in 1969.

While no longer printed, existing pre-1945 large denomination bills remain legal tender and can still occasionally be seen in currency collections or museum displays. However, most have been removed from circulation and destroyed over the decades.

The $100,000 currency note also ceased regular production after 1945, but for a different reason. These banknotes were exclusively used for official transactions between Federal Reserve banks, not for public circulation. A limited number of $100,000 notes were again printed from December 1934 through January 1935 for this inter-bank use.

Key Dates When High Denomination Banknotes Stopped Production

  • 1869 – $500 and $1,000 notes last issued for public circulation.
  • 1945 – The last $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills printed.
  • 1969 – Banks officially cease distributing any remaining $500 and $1,000 bills.
  • 1934-1935 – Final print run of $100,000 Federal Reserve Notes.

So although the $100 bill has been the highest denomination available to the public for over 50 years now, sporadic printings of other extra high value U.S. currency means the $100,000 note actually holds the record for the highest dollar bill ever officially issued in America.

How Do You Get a $2 Bill or Other Uncommon Denominations?

While the $1, $5, $10, $20, and $100 denominations make up the vast majority of currency used daily, other less common banknotes can still be obtained. Here are some ways to get rarely seen paper money:

  • Request them at your bank – Many banks will have limited quantities of $2 bills or other less dispensed notes on hand and will provide them upon request.
  • Visit the bank vault – Larger bank branches may keep uncommon bills in their vaults that they can provide in limited quantities to customers.
  • Check with a teller – Ask tellers if they have any seldom seen denominations available that day.
  • Visit the post office – The U.S. Postal Service is a reliable source for obtaining unused $2 bills and may have them on hand for exchange.
  • Use a bill changing machine – Some self-service currency exchange kiosks dispense uncommon paper money.
  • Buy from dealers – Collectors or dealers specializing in currency may be able to sell you specific denomination notes at a premium.

With some persistence and searching, it is often possible to find those elusive $2, $50, or other bills that most Americans rarely handle in typical transactions. While less conveniently accessible than common denominations, they remain legal tender obtainable upon request at many banking locations.

The Future of Cash and Denominations

Cash usage has declined in recent years with more digital payment options available. The overall value of paper money in circulation dropped from 2020 to 2021. Nevertheless, cash remains popular for many types of in-person transactions.

Physical currency is unlikely to completely disappear as long as unbanked or underbanked individuals rely on cash, and it provides anonymity compared to digital payments. Cash will probably continue being issued in familiar denominations, albeit decreasing in usage over time if digital payment adoption keeps growing.

New anti-counterfeiting features will continue enhancing banknote security. Denominations higher than $100 reentering circulation are highly improbable. The $100 bill seems destined to remain the highest paper currency value issued for the foreseeable future given modern money habits.

Projections for Cash and Denominations

  • Cash is forecast to keep declining but retain an important payment role, especially for underbanked.
  • No new denominations or reissue of large discontinued notes is expected.
  • Anti-counterfeiting features will improve while overall design is unlikely to change radically.
  • $100 bill projected to stay the highest available paper currency for the public.

Barring an unexpected shift away from digital payments back to physical money, we can anticipate the $100 bill retaining its status as the highest dollar bill available for ordinary commercial transactions. Currency denominations seem settled for the near term.

Conclusion

In summary, the highest dollar bill printed in modern times for public use is the $100 note. Prior to 1945, some larger denominations like $500, $1,000, and $10,000 bills did exist but have since been discontinued as everyday circulation ended. The $100,000 bill was also printed strictly for inter-bank transfers, not public use.

While less common denominations like the $2 bill remain in circulation, they are not dispensed as routinely as $1, $5, $10, $20, and $100 bills. To obtain those less frequently seen notes, one may need to request them directly from bank tellers.

Assuming digital payments keep displacing cash for many transactions, the $100 bill appears poised to remain the highest paper currency denomination for the foreseeable future. Any changes to U.S. banknotes will likely be security-related rather than introducing new public circulation denominations beyond $100.

Leave a Comment