Men on the Money
How much do you know
about the former presidents and patriots who grace our currency?
Enjoy learning a few money-related facts about some of these men.
What was George Washington’s salary when he was elected to office?
Washington was offered $25,000, which he initially refused. However, he was later convinced to accept his paychecks to set a good example for future office holders.
What debt did Thomas Jefferson leave behind at the time of his death?
Thomas Jefferson was in debt for most of his life. He enjoyed the finer things and spent a fortune building and furnishing his mansion, Monticello. At the time of his death, his debts exceeded $100,000, which is roughly about $2 million today.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was the first president to appear on a circulating U.S. coin?
In 1909, in celebration of Lincoln’s 100th birthday, his face was added to the front of the copper penny.
Did you know that Ulysses S. Grant was once arrested?
While president, Ulysses S. Grant was pulled over by the police in Washington D.C. and issued a $5 speeding ticket for driving his horse and buggy too fast.
Why would Andrew Jackson be unhappy to see his face on the $20 bill?
When Andrew Jackson was president, he did not approve of paper money. At the time, money was printed by individual banks, and its value could fluctuate, and sometimes be worthless. Jackson thought the only “real money” was gold and silver.
Why does Franklin D. Roosevelt appear on the dime?
In 1945, after Roosevelt’s death, Congress voted to have his profile appear on the dime to commemorate the March of Dimes, an organization that FDR founded to combat childhood polio.
Not presidents,
but worthy of a place on
U.S. currency
Alexander Hamilton
