Who Decides on the Designs and Portraits Used in US Currency?

The decision on the designs and portraits featured on US currency is made by the Secretary of the Treasury. However, this intricate process often involves significant recommendations from the public and the government.

The ongoing campaigns to include women's images on US currency highlight the changing landscape of who gets represented on these notes. For instance, Harriet Tubman was chosen for the upcoming 20 dollar bill, marking a significant shift in representation. This move followed a grassroots campaign spearheaded by various citizens' groups over the years.

The Background and Process

The selection process began in 2015 when various citizens' groups launched a social media campaign to lobby for a woman to be placed on US currency. The 20 dollar bill was selected for several reasons:

It was hoped that the new bills would be ready for the 2020 centennial of women's suffrage. There was an existing undercurrent of support for replacing Andrew Jackson due to his policies against Native Americans and his stance against federal banking.

An online poll was run, featuring six frequently mentioned candidates. Harriet Tubman emerged as the winner, closely followed by Eleanor Roosevelt. While I voted for Eleanor Roosevelt, the poll was neither scientific nor binding. Nonetheless, the results generated enough political support for then-Secretary Jack Lew to agree to the initiative.

The Political and Administrative Challenges

However, the process faced significant delays due to unexplained reasons, holding things up for several months. By the time the redesign process picked up again, President Trump had been selected. Given his admiration for Andrew Jackson, he immediately ordered his new Treasury Secretary to halt the redesign process. This halt remained in place until President Biden was inaugurated in 2021. Under Secretary Janet Yellen, the process was revived and continued.

The Secretariat’s Role and Current Designs

While any person or organization can suggest an image, the ultimate decision legally rests with the Secretary of the Treasury. An Act of Congress could theoretically revoke the right of the Treasury to decide, but this has not happened and is unlikely to occur.

The current designs and persons selected for US currency were finalized in 1928. There are no records as to why they chose specific figures or why the backs of the bills were decorated in particular ways. The predominant choice of presidents is obvious, as they are well-known American figures. Living figures are prohibited from appearing on American currency.

Modern Money and Diversification Efforts

Efforts to diversify the faces of American money continue. For instance, the upcoming 20 dollar bill will feature Harriet Tubman, moving Andrew Jackson to the back. The 10 dollar bill will celebrate the women's suffrage movement on its back. The 5 dollar bill will include portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

These changes reflect a broader movement towards inclusivity and recognition of historically underrepresented figures in American history.