In the realm of U.S. paper currency, female representation is exceptionally rare. For collectors, notes featuring female portraits—real women or allegorical figures—carry deep historical resonance and rarity.
This article explores every U.S. currency note known to feature female figures, providing detailed facts, design insights, production data, and current collectible value.
Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or an enthusiast, you’ll discover why these pieces are coveted treasures.
Notable U.S. Currency Notes Featuring Women
1896 Educational Series Silver Certificates – $1, $2, $5
- Design Overview:
- Allegorical female figures dominate each denomination:
- $1: “History Instructing Youth”
- $2: Steam/Electricity presented to Commerce & Manufacture
- $5: “Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World”
- On the $5 note, at least five female figures are depicted, one with a lightbulb, symbolizing modern technological power.
- Allegorical female figures dominate each denomination:
- Release & Controversy:
- Printed only in 1896 and quickly replaced in 1899 due to controversy over nudity and simplicity of security features.
- Collectible Status:
- Each note is considered a masterpiece; values range from $70 up to $38,400, depending on denomination and condition.
1860s $20 National Bank Notes – Featuring Pocahontas
- Design Overview:
- The iconic “Baptism of Pocahontas” vignette appears within a group scene on the front of certain $20 First Charter Period National Banknotes.
- Historical Context:
- Immortalizes the moment Pocahontas converted to Christianity in 1614—a symbol of early Native American and European contact.
1886 & 1891 Series $1 Silver Certificates – Featuring Martha Washington
- Design Overview:
- 1886 & 1891 series: Martha Washington alone on the front.
- 1896 series: Portrait shared with George Washington on the back.
- Significance:
- Martha is the only woman to hold solo front-facing representation on U.S. paper currency.
- Collectible Appeal:
- Highly prized and often listed among the “100 Greatest American Currency Notes.”
Series 591 Military Payment Certificate – $5 – Featuring Anne Izard
- Design Overview:
- A portrait of colonial-era Anne Izard, based on the Gilbert Stuart painting, adorns the $5 MPC of Series 591.
- Usage & Rarity:
- Issued for U.S. military personnel overseas in the post-WWII and Vietnam era.
- Limited production makes these certificates sought-after by both military and U.S. currency collectors.
2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Coin & Mule Errors
- Coin Overview:
- While not paper, this coin prominently portrays Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide, carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste.
- Collectible Varieties:
- 2000-P Burnished (Millennium Set) – only 75,000 minted.
- Cheerios Error Mules – special early strikings with enhanced tail feathers.
- Double-denomination mule error (quarter obverse, Sacagawea reverse) – only 11 known specimens; sold for up to $200,000.
- Modern Addition:
- The 25th-anniversary 24-karat gold issue minted in July 2025 adds to the modern excitement among collectors.
Comparative Table: Rare Notes Featuring Women
| Currency | Denomination | Year(s) | Female Figure | Rarity / Production | Collectible Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Series Silver Certificates | $1, $2, $5 | 1896 | Allegorical female figures (History, Electricity) | Single-year printing | $70–$38,400 |
| $20 National Bank Notes | $20 | 1860s | Pocahontas in group scene | First Charter Period; very rare | Several thousand USD |
| $1 Silver Certificates | $1 | 1886, 1891, 1896 | Martha Washington | Circulated decades; limited supply | Highly valued |
| Military Payment Certificate | $5 | Series 591 | Anne Izard | Limited issue for military use | Premium among MPC collectors |
| Sacagawea Dollar Coin (2000-P) | $1 coin | 2000 | Sacagawea + infant | 75,000 mint; plus rare errors | Hundreds to $200,000+ |
Why These Notes Are So Collectible
Extreme Rarity
Most of these notes were printed for a limited time or under special conditions. Some, like the 1896 Educational Series, were issued for only a single year, while others were never reprinted or mass-produced.
Historical Resonance
Figures like Martha Washington, Pocahontas, and Sacagawea symbolize major moments in U.S. history. Their presence on currency tells a story beyond value—it reflects legacy and representation.
Artistic Excellence
The 1896 Educational Series is often cited as one of the most beautiful series of U.S. notes ever created. These are not just monetary items—they are works of art.
Numismatic Prestige
Being part of key historical transitions in American currency, these notes appeal to those interested in both finance and history. They are widely respected in the numismatic community.
Modern Recognition of Women in U.S. Currency
Coins (Not Paper Notes)
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar (1979–1981, 1999) – The first real woman on U.S. coinage.
- Sacagawea Dollar (2000–present) – Continues to evolve with annually changing reverse designs celebrating Native American contributions.
- American Women Quarters Program (2022–2025) – A special program featuring women like Maya Angelou, Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller.
Paper Currency Prospects
Although women remain largely absent from modern paper currency, campaigns have long advocated placing women like Harriet Tubman on U.S. bills. A redesign of the $20 bill with Tubman’s portrait has been discussed but delayed multiple times.
From the allegorical grace of the 1896 Educational Series to the iconic legacy of Martha Washington and Sacagawea, the presence of women on U.S. currency is a rare but powerful representation.
These notes combine historical significance, artistic beauty, and scarcity, making them highly sought-after by collectors.
As the national conversation continues around diversity and inclusion in public symbols, these historic notes and coins remain treasured reminders of the women who shaped American history—and how their stories endure, even through money.
FAQs
Q1: Are there any modern U.S. paper bills that feature real women?
No current circulating paper bills feature real women. The most notable historic example is Martha Washington, featured in the 1886 and 1891 $1 Silver Certificates.
Q2: What makes the 1896 Educational Series notes so valuable?
These notes are considered masterpieces of currency design, issued for only one year. Their beauty, historical context, and limited availability make them extremely collectible.
Q3: Why are Sacagawea mule error coins so expensive?
The mule errors that combine Sacagawea dollar reverses with state quarter obverses are incredibly rare—only 11 authenticated examples exist, with some fetching up to $200,000 at auction.