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The 1995 $10 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated (CU) condition is a quintessential example of late 20th-century U.S. paper currency, representing the final years of the “small-head” note design before the onset of major anti-counterfeiting redesigns in the late 1990s. As part of the Series 1995 issue, this note features traditional styling with a relatively compact portrait and conservative security features, reflective of an era before the widespread integration of color-shifting inks, security threads, and watermarking. Issued during a period of strong economic growth in the United States, the 1995 $10 bill is now sought after by collectors for its transitional importance and its clean, classic aesthetic, especially in uncirculated condition where every detail is preserved as originally intended.
The obverse of the 1995 $10 Federal Reserve Note features a bust-length portrait of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton’s portrait faces left and is based on a steel engraving by John Trumbull, which has been used in various forms on $10 notes for decades. Above the portrait is the inscription “Federal Reserve Note,” while “The United States of America” arcs above it. To the left of the portrait appears the Federal Reserve Bank seal and district letter, while the Treasury Seal and the serial numbers are printed to the right. In Crisp Uncirculated condition, every element of the obverse is sharply printed, with deep inking in the portrait, crisp serial numbers, and bold, unbroken design features free from any signs of handling or wear.
The reverse of the note features the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., which has appeared on the ten-dollar note in various formats since the 1920s. The building is engraved with meticulous detail, including the neoclassical columns and steps leading to the front entrance. The surrounding border is composed of intricate scrollwork and geometric designs, framing the image in a symmetrical and elegant manner. The phrase “The United States of America” appears across the top, and the denomination is spelled out as “Ten Dollars” at the bottom, with numeric values printed in all four corners. On a note graded CU, the reverse is perfectly centered, richly inked, and unmarred by any folds, smudges, or signs of circulation.
Federal Reserve Notes of the 1995 series were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and were issued across all twelve Federal Reserve Districts. These notes were produced at both the Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas, facilities, distinguishable by the presence or absence of a small “FW” printed to the left of the faceplate number. Each district issued millions of notes to meet commercial demand, although exact mintage figures vary by Federal Reserve Bank. The Series 1995 notes were among the last of the traditional designs before the 1996 introduction of the redesigned “big-head” notes, which featured larger portraits, enhanced security elements, and repositioned inscriptions to combat increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting technologies.
One of the key elements that distinguishes the 1995 $10 note from earlier issues is the use of the larger, green Treasury seal introduced in 1977, along with microprinted security features embedded within the design. While these features were relatively basic compared to modern standards, they represented the best available anti-counterfeiting technology of the era. For collectors, the absence of more complex modern features such as watermarks or security threads enhances the appeal of this note as a representation of a simpler period in currency design. In CU condition, these features remain perfectly preserved, allowing for full appreciation of the period’s printing and engraving techniques.
Notes from the Series 1995 were signed by Treasurer of the United States Mary Ellen Withrow and Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin. These signatures appear on the lower left and lower right of the note’s face, respectively. Withrow holds the distinction of being the only person to have signed U.S. currency as Treasurer, Director of the Bureau of the Mint, and Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Secretary Rubin, appointed by President Bill Clinton, oversaw a period of sustained economic expansion and helped guide U.S. fiscal policy during a time of budget surpluses. These signatures serve as a temporal marker for the era in which the note was printed and circulated, and are part of what makes specific series valuable to historical collectors.
In Crisp Uncirculated condition, the 1995 $10 Federal Reserve Note is free from folds, tears, soiling, or any signs of wear. The corners are sharp and squared, the paper is firm and bright, and the ink remains vibrant with no signs of fading. CU notes may display minor handling marks under magnification but lack any creases or bends visible to the naked eye. Such notes are typically sourced from unbroken packs or saved directly from bank shipments at the time of issue. For collectors, this grade represents the ideal, offering an example as close to mint state as possible, with full visual impact and preservation of printing detail across both sides.
Over time, Series 1995 notes have become more difficult to find in true CU condition, especially as they were widely used in daily commerce throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many were destroyed or withdrawn as newer issues were released into circulation. Consequently, surviving CU examples are of increasing interest to collectors of small-size U.S. currency, particularly those focusing on pre-redesign Federal Reserve Notes or assembling complete district sets. High-grade notes from smaller districts or with low serial numbers may command premiums, while even standard CU examples retain strong collector value due to their transitional significance and declining availability.
For modern currency collectors, the 1995 $10 Federal Reserve Note CU stands as a snapshot of an era just before monumental changes in currency design reshaped the appearance of American money. It bridges the gap between the classic small-head layout of the 20th century and the bold, security-driven designs that emerged after 1996. Collecting these notes provides insight into how aesthetics, security, and policy intersect in currency design. Whether kept in a personal collection, displayed for educational purposes, or stored as part of a broader investment in U.S. paper money, a CU 1995 $10 note remains a desirable and historically resonant artifact.
The 1995 $10 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated condition represents the final chapter of a classic American currency design. Featuring Alexander Hamilton’s dignified portrait, the historic Treasury Building, and the signatures of key economic figures from a period of national prosperity, the note encapsulates the elegance and function of U.S. money just before a modern redesign changed its look forever. Preserved in uncirculated condition, it offers both historical significance and aesthetic satisfaction to collectors who value the intersection of art, history, and economics. As time progresses and these notes become harder to find in pristine form, their appeal and importance within the landscape of U.S. currency collecting will only continue to grow.