Trump’s Signature to Appear on $100 Bills This Summer, Breaking 165-Year Tradition

President Trump's signature will replace the U.S. Treasurer's on $100 bills starting in June, ending a practice dating back to 1861. This move puts Trump among a small group of world leaders who have had their signatures or images on currency while in office. The change is part of America's 250th anniversary celebration.

Starting this June, President Donald Trump’s signature will appear on $100 bills, marking the first time in 165 years that someone other than the U.S. Treasurer has signed American banknotes. This historic change places Trump in an exclusive group of world leaders who have had their autographs or portraits featured on their nation’s currency while serving in office.

The tradition of having the U.S. Treasurer’s signature on American money began in 1861, with the Treasury Secretary’s signature being added approximately 100 years later. Trump’s signature will take the place of the Treasurer’s, while the Treasury Secretary’s signature will continue to appear alongside it.

Most global currencies typically display the signature of a central bank official, finance minister, or other monetary authority. European currency bears the European Central Bank president’s signature, while British pounds feature the Bank of England’s chief cashier signature. Soviet rubles historically carried signatures from finance ministers or central bank leaders.

The Treasury Department revealed this plan on Thursday as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration. Officials had previously announced a commemorative coin featuring Trump’s image for the Semiquincentennial celebration, though federal law from 1866 prohibits living current or former presidents from appearing on paper money.

Trump joins several international leaders who have appeared on their countries’ banknotes during their time in power. In the former Zaire (now Congo), dictator Mobutu Sese Seko’s image in leopard hats or military uniforms appeared on currency after he renamed the country in 1971. Following his removal from power in 1997, the new government physically removed his face from existing bills until replacement currency was issued.

Uganda featured army officer Idi Amin Dada on banknotes during his 1971-1979 rule after seizing power in a coup. His rival Apollo Milton Obote, whom Amin had overthrown in 1971 but who returned to power in 1980, also appeared on Ugandan currency.

In Kenya, President Daniel Arap Moi’s portrait graced banknotes throughout his 1978-2002 presidency. The country’s founding president, Jomo Kenyatta, also had his image on currency. Both leaders’ portraits were eventually removed when Kenya adopted a new constitution and redesigned its money.

Indonesia’s founding presidents, Sukarno and Suharto, both appeared on banknotes while in office. Currency featuring Suharto’s image was pulled from circulation in 2000, two years after the authoritarian leader stepped down during the Asian financial crisis that led to civil unrest and required an International Monetary Fund bailout.

The Philippines printed numerous banknotes and coins with former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s image during his 1965-1986 presidency, which included nearly ten years under martial law. Today’s Philippine peso notes carry the signature of his son, current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but feature images of native wildlife instead of political figures.

Tanzania’s first president, Julius Nyerere, appeared on banknotes while serving from the country’s 1961 independence until 1985. The central bank began issuing currency with Nyerere’s image in 1966, shortly after the monetary authority was established.