Trump Signature to Appear on Future Bank Notes

Change is coming for the look of United States paper currency.  

The next series of U.S. notes will include the signature of President Donald J. Trump. It marks the first time a sitting president’s signature would grace the U.S. notes.

Trump’s signature will be accompanied by the signature of Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. Previously, United States currency had featured the Secretary of the Treasury and the Treasurer of the United States. The signature of the current Treasurer, Brandon Beach, will be absent from the latest issues.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the first of the notes to bear the signatures of Trump and Bessent will be the $100 notes, which are currently only printed at the Washington, D.C. facility. The first notes are expected to be available by summer just in time for the start of the nation’s 250^th anniversary celebration festivities in July. A request for additional information from the Treasury was not answered.

While the decision can be considered historic, the impact of the action will have different meaning for different factions. The general public likely pays little attention to the signatures on the notes in everyday commerce and may not be keenly aware of the change. For collectors, it’s a bit of a different story.

“Anything that increases awareness of paper money is good for collecting and the hobby, said Arthur Friedberg, co-author of Paper Money of the United States.  “It can stimulate collecting as it will make people aware of all the signature types that can be collected.”

“Some collectors will think this is a great opportunity to set aside something that might gain value,” said Dustin Johnston, senior vice president of Heritage Auctions. “However, the volume of notes the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces daily will make these issues very common.”

“I was blown away hearing the news that Trump’s signature will soon appear on our United States paper money,” said Robert Calderman, current president of the Society of Paper Money Collectors and owner of Paper Money Depot in Georgia. “Whether you love the man or despise him, this is absolutely great news for the paper money collecting community. While we all hoped to see something more akin to the 1896 Educational Series making a modern return, having the president’s autograph appear on our currency for the first time in history will send a shockwave throughout the world and no doubt have a ripple effect that will positively impact the growth of our hobby.”

Many believe the impact will not last long. “In a short time, everyone who wants an example will be able to find them in circulation, so it is unlikely that there will be any collector premiums paid after there is a sufficient supply in the hands of the public,” noted Johnston.

“It will be a one-off,” added Friedberg.  “I can't imagine future presidents wanting to do this, although I have always wondered why the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board is not one of the signatures.”

Signatures appearing on notes serve notice that the currency is legally recognized and backed by the federal government.