What Would Happen If You Changed the Color of the U.S. Dollar?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you changed the color of the U.S. dollar and then tried to spend it? This is one of my projects, it’s curious, playful, and thought-provoking, and bringing ART into the community simply!
Fun Fact #1: It’s Not Illegal to Spend Defaced Money — It’s Still Money!
That’s right. It’s only illegal to deface money if the change makes it unusable or fraudulent. For example, writing on a dollar bill is perfectly fine because the bill still holds its value. Drilling a small hole in a coin is also okay because the coin can still be spent.
Even if you accidentally leave cash in your pants and it goes through the washing machine, don’t worry — your bills will survive. They’re made of linen and cotton fibers, not regular paper, which means water won’t ruin them.
Here’s another interesting (though unverified) observation from an online forum: it’s illegal to alter money in a way that misrepresents its value (like creating a fake rare coin), but it’s perfectly legal to reclaim base metals from coins or use shredded money for things like stuffing pillows or art projects.
If you want to dive deeper, check out the full article that inspired this discussion:
Fun Fact #2: There Are Hidden Security Features in Every U.S. Bill
Did you know that every paper bill in circulation has multiple built-in security features to prevent counterfeiting? It’s not just fancy ink — the design and materials are highly specialized.
U.S. currency is printed on a unique blend of cotton and linen rag paper, which is illegal for anyone outside the Treasury to reproduce or handle. Beyond that, each bill includes microprinting, color-shifting ink, watermarks, polymer security threads, and distinctive colors for each denomination. Together, these features make counterfeiting extremely difficult.
To stay ahead of new technology, the U.S. Treasury redesigns notes every seven to ten years, keeping your cash both functional and secure.
If you’re curious to learn more, check out these resources: