During 1886 the first woman to appear
on U.S. currency, was Martha Washington (first president
George's wife). She was featured on the $1 silver certificate. A
slightly re-designed Martha also was produced in 1891. Her
likeness appeared on the face of the $1 Silver Certificate of
1886 and 1891, and the back of the $1 Silver Certificate of
1896.
Her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis died in 1757. She married
George two years later and raised her two children from Custis
as their own. Her inheritance from first husband made her
extremely wealthy.
Newly redesigned bills with a woman on the front were to be
unveiled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the right
of women to vote. However, the release dates for all the new notes could be
pushed back further due to redesign to fight counterfeiting.
Incidentally, the
only portrait required by law is that of George Washington
on the $1 bill. A $1 bill lasts about 18 months; $5
bill, two years; $10 bill, four years; $20 bill, four years;
and $50 and $100 bills, nine years.