In the last few years the US "Greenback" has seen some substantial changes. The notes have been redesigned and -whilst keeping a certain amount of green on the back – now come in a whole host of colours.

However, the $5 and $100 bills have yet to be changed. All this will change when early next year a new $5 bill will be unveiled and the $100 bill is scheduled to be redesigned late 2008.

The new $5 incorporates purple and grey colouring and has new security features. The $100 bill which makes up 70% of the $776 billion of currency in circulation (2/3′s of which is held overseas) is getting an extra effort in the redesign process which will include 650,000 microlenses which give the appearance of the note shimmering in the opposite direction when moved.

All of this may be exciting to notaphilists but it is important for tourists to accustom theirselves with the new note designs. At present the $1 bill will not be changing design as it is not a target for fraudsters – it has had the same design since 1963.

Check out the links below to the new pastel coloured US notes!