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Tertiary sourceArtifact

United States ten-dollar bill

A modern U.S. banknote bearing a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first Treasury Secretary, on its obverse.

Hamilton's portrait appears on this bill because he was the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the financial system it represents.

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Front of a United States ten-dollar Federal Reserve Note, Series 2004A, with an engraved portrait of Alexander Hamilton facing left, the words 'The United States of America' and 'TEN DOLLARS', and a green seal and serial number GL 64739922 A.
United States ten-dollar bill, Series 2004A, Federal Reserve Note.

About this source

What it is

The ten-dollar bill is a denomination of United States currency issued today as a Federal Reserve Note. Its front features a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, two renditions of the Statue of Liberty's torch, and words from the Constitution's preamble. The reverse shows the U.S. Treasury Building. The portrait used is based on an 1805 painting by John Trumbull.

Why it matters

Hamilton served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and helped build the nation's financial system. His continued presence on the currency, over two centuries later, is a visible reminder of that legacy. He is one of only two people who are not U.S. presidents currently shown on American paper money, and the only person depicted who was not born in the continental United States or British America.

Look closer

  • Why might a nation choose to put a historical figure's face on its money?
  • What does it mean that the portrait faces left, unlike other U.S. bills?
  • What is left out about Hamilton's life and career by reducing him to a portrait on currency?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Alexander Hamilton on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the first edition of The Federalist, volume I, 1788, New York. Handwritten inscription at top reads 'For Mrs. Church from her Sister Elizabeth Hamilton'. Blue library stamp and pencil note 'Jefferson's copy' visible.Book

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The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay · 1788

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Federalist No. 78

Alexander Hamilton · 1788

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Primary source

Federalist No. 70

Alexander Hamilton · 15 March 1788

Photograph of the original parchment of the United States Constitution. The large handwritten text begins with the words 'We the People' in ornate script, followed by the article headings and dense lines of brown-ink writing on aged, yellowed parchment.Document

Primary source

United States Constitution

Constitutional Convention · 17 September 1787

Scan of a handwritten manuscript page with heavy cross-outs and interlineations, titled 'Report on Public Credit' at top, with 'Respectfully reports' below, in Alexander Hamilton's draft hand. Page number 1 at top right and archive number 1382 at bottom left.Document

Primary source

First Report on the Public Credit

Alexander Hamilton · 1790

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