Santa Claus has appeared on U.S. currency.

The United States and its currency seem inseparably linked, but for much of the country’s history, an official, standardized U.S. dollar didn’t exist. In its place was a Wild West of currencies from competing banks located across several states. In their zeal to earn goodwill and customers, a few of these institutions even minted some rather creative banknotes. Instead of the chiseled visage of General Washington or other real-life American leaders, these notes featured the pudgy, bearded face of St. Nick, among other figures.

Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared on the $10,000 bill, the largest U.S. note ever circulated.

fact

FIB

Ready to reveal?

Confirm your email to play the next question?

sign up!

Please enter valid email.

Sign up

Oops, incorrect!

It's a fib

While Roosevelt’s face graces the dime, it’s Treasury Secretary and Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase whose visage adorns the $10,000 bill. However, in 1969, the U.S. Treasury purged the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills from circulation. (They still remain legal tender.)

For the St. Nicholas Bank of New York City, featuring the bank’s namesake on its currency made some sort of sense. But other banks, seemingly unaffiliated with Father Christmas, also issued Santa money. For example, the Howard Banking Company issued its Sinter Klaas note in the 1850s, which depicted a St. Nick scene from Dutch legend. A total of 21 banks in eight states created notes featuring Santa Claus, with seven of them even printing an entire Santa Claus vignette on their currency. These fun funds came to an end in 1863, when the National Bank Act created a national currency in an effort to standardize banking throughout the U.S. While these Santa bills are now considered “obsolete,” the notes remain highly prized in certain collecting circles and are doing much more than just ho-ho-holding their value. 

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Email