The front (obverse) of the one dollar bill is printed in black. It pictures George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. The words that appear on the front are, "FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE," THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE," "Washington, D.C.," "Washington" (under Washington's portrait), "ONE DOLLAR," the name of the Federal Reserve Bank where the bill originated, and various serial numbers and marks. It is signed by the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury.



The back (reverse) of the one dollar bill is printed in green (this is why the dollar bill is sometimes called a greenback). The pictures the word "ONE" flanked by two circles, picturing the front and back of the Great Seal of the United States of America. The circle on the left of the bill pictures an unfinished pyramid with 13 steps. There is an eye within a triangle above the pyramid; light radiates from the eye. The circle on the right pictures the front of the Great Seal of the United States of America. It shows a bald eagle holding olive branches and arrows in its talons. There is a banner in the eagle's bill reading, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (meaning, "Out of many, one," refering to the union of the states). 13 stars are above the eagle and a shield with 13 stripes is in front of the eagle.

Other phrases that appear on the back are, "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "ONE," "ANNUIT COEPTIS" (meaning, "Providence favors our undertakings"), "MDCCLXXVI" (1776 in Roman numerals), "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM" (meaning, "A new order of the ages"), "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES," "ONE DOLLAR," and various serial numbers.