Are presidents the only ones who can appear on us currency?

Answer 1

No - Benjamin Franklin was never president, nor was Alexander Hamilton. Back when there were bills larger than $100, several other non-presidents were on the bills.

Further, the depiction of presidents on US Coins only started in the 20th century.

There's no specific requirement for any individual to appear on a US bill or coin. The decision is usually made by Congress and/or the Treasury Department.

Answer 2

Of the 7 currently circulating denominations of currency in the United States, 5 depict former presidents:

George Washington, the 1st President of the United States, is on the $1 bill.

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, is on the $2 bill.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is on the $5 bill.

Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, is on the $20 bill.

Ulysses Grant, the 18th President of the United States, is on the $50 bill.

Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, is on the $10 bill, and Benjamin Franklin, Diplomat and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, is on the $100 bill.

There are also US presidents on coins :

Lincoln on the 1 cent piece (penny);

Jefferson on the 5 cent piece (nickel);

Franklin Roosevelt on the dime;

Washington on the quarter

Kennedy of the half dollar

Eisenhower on the large dollar

There is also a series of dollar coins being issued 4 per year, featuring

the presidents in order. The most recent was Rutherford Hayes, number 19, which came out in August, 2011 . Garfield will be next, due out in November, 2011

Answer 3

No- in fact no living person can appear in US currency

The law came into being during the civil war when one obscure employee of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing put his own picture on a note.

Answer 4

Ben Franklin: 100 dollar bill... never president