Dollar Color
What color is the paper that a dollar is printed on?
I hope you're not planning to produce your own money.
As Sgt. Pepper's answer points out, U.S. currency is printed on a paper-like material made entirely of cotton fibers. In other words, it's not paper at all.
What color, you ask? Place a one dollar note next to a piece of plain white paper for reference. I think you'd agree that the color is a very, very off-white color. While the color is far from white, the tint is so faint, it’s hard to tell what shade of off-white it actually is.
If the "paper" of the note you’re examining appears to be somewhat greenish in color, I contend that ink from other notes has rubbed off onto the bill to give the appearance of the paper being greenish.
Above I suggested using a one dollar note for a particular reason. Higher denomination notes produced more recently make use of relatively new security features to thwart counterfeiters. At first glance, these new notes for $10, $20, and higher denominations may seem to be printed on "papers" of various colors. However, look more closely. You may need a magnifying glass to see what I mean. As I said, these newer notes for the higher denominations APPEAR to be on colored “paper.” But a close look will reveal that the color is actually PRINTED onto the note using extremely fine, closely-spaced lines in various shades to simulate colored paper. If you can find a part of the note that has no printing at all (check the back of the note), you'll see the color of the note is the same as the one dollar note.
If this subject fascinates you, I believe there's an hour-long History Channel program devoted entirely to the production of U.S. coins and "paper" currency. You'd love it. I believe this program is part of the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" series. You might even be able to borrow it free of charge from your local library.
I couldn't find a reference to the specific History Channel program I had in mind -- I've seen it before -- but there's a 5 minute on-line video available at one of the links shown below.
By the way, I found it. The program is indeed part of the Modern Marvel series, but it's available for sale through the History Channel's "sister network," A&E. See: http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=76192 . This is where you can buy a DVD copy of this great program. Below is part of the program description.
"How does America make money--literally? MODERN MARVELS visits the United States Mint and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to see the secretive government facilities where our legal tender is generated. With a storied past as tantalizing as the wealth they create, these facilities can spit out fortunes in an hour to keep our economy flowing."
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 1879 S Morgan Silver Dollar Certified PCGS MS64 Color Crescent Toning Looks PL $149.00 Time Remaining: 1h 52m |
 1878 CC Morgan Dollar Certified NGC MS63 2 sided Green Color Toning Carson City $379.00 Time Remaining: 1h 57m |
 2009 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX 642 $17.95 Time Remaining: 2h 44m |
 2009 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX 685 $17.95 Time Remaining: 2h 45m |
 2009 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX 735 $17.95 Time Remaining: 3h 4m |
 2011 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX 93476 $17.95 Time Remaining: 3h 34m |
 2009 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX 2456 $17.95 Time Remaining: 3h 42m |
 2010 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $19.95 Time Remaining: 8h 42m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 2011 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR 4 COINS SET WITH BOX $19.95 Time Remaining: 8h 42m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 COLORIZED 2009 NATIVE AMERICAN DOLLAR COLORIZED ON BOTH SIDES $4.50 Time Remaining: 10h 26m Buy It Now for only: $4.50 |
 2010 Colorized Native American Dollar $3.49 Time Remaining: 12h 35m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 2010 Colorized Reverse Native American Dollar $3.49 Time Remaining: 12h 50m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 2009 Colorized Reverse Native American Dollar $3.49 Time Remaining: 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 1880 P Morgan Silver Dollar NGC MS64 Blast White Color $167.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 55m |
 1880 S Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS MS65PL Blast White Color $171.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 12h 55m |
 1903 Morgan COLOR SELECT GEM BU 22A 27 $129.00 Time Remaining: 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $129.00 |
 1885 P Morgan Silver Dollar Coins of Colors Silver Coins Great Colors $32.99 Time Remaining: 15h 15m |
 1922 BU SILVER PEACE DOLLAR COLOR IDX352 $980.00 Time Remaining: 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $980.00 |
 BEAUTIFUL COLORIZED UNCIRCULATED 1921 MORGAN DOLLAR VERY NICE COIN $32.05 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 4m |
 2001 American Eagle One Dollar silver Coin 999 silver 1 Oz Proof Full Color $53.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 43m |
 1884 O Morgan Dollar NGC MS 64 Great Color $250.00 Time Remaining: 17h 17m |
 1921 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR COIN ROUND 900 SILVER PAINTED COLORIZED with BOX $39.99 Time Remaining: 17h 31m |
 1879 MORGAN MS65 PCGS COLOR $875.00 Time Remaining: 17h 45m Buy It Now for only: $875.00 |
 Nicely Colored 2nd Rev1878 S Morgan Silver Dollar AU $69.00 Time Remaining: 19h 23m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
 1883CC GSA RAINBOW CRESCENT DOLLAR GORGEOUS COLOR $299.00 Time Remaining: 20h 8m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 1926 S Peace Dollar AU Rainbow Colors $49.00 Time Remaining: 20h 20m |
 1884 CC PCGS Genuine Morgan Dollar Nice Color and Deep Clean Strike $149.00 Time Remaining: 20h 30m |
 THREE DOLLARS Eisenhower 1971 D Eisenhower 1776 1976 John Adams Gold Color $5.65 Time Remaining: 20h 37m |
 2011 Colorized Ulysses S Grant Dollars P and D Pair $6.50 Time Remaining: 20h 39m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
 Five 2011 Colorized Ulysses Grant Presidential Dollars $16.25 Time Remaining: 20h 43m Buy It Now for only: $16.25 |
 Two 2011 Ulysses Grant Dollars Colorized on Both Sides $9.99 Time Remaining: 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 1884 O Morgan Silver Dollar Rainbow Toned Graded NGC MS63 colorful rainbow $225.00 Time Remaining: 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 |
 Five 2011 Ulysses Grant Dollars Colorized on Both Sides $23.95 Time Remaining: 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 2000 P BU Colorized Sacagawea Golder Dollar FIRST Year of Issue in Holder 995 $9.95 Time Remaining: 21h 8m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 1884 O Morgan GORGEOUS COLOR 48 11 $89.00 Time Remaining: 22h 14m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 1896 P Morgan GEM BU COLOR ZI 23 $169.00 Time Remaining: 22h 50m Buy It Now for only: $169.00 |
 1883 O NGC MS63 Morgan Silver Dollar w Great Color + FREE Proof Kennedy $34.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 11m |
 1878 S Morgan Silver Dollar Certified PCGS MS64 Color Rainbow Toned Reverse $209.99 Time Remaining: 23h 21m |
 1900 O Morgan Dollar Certified NGC MS63 Red Color Toned Rainbow Obverse $109.99 Time Remaining: 23h 25m |
 Crescent Green Color Toned 1881 S Morgan Dollar NGC MS65 Old Gen Holder WOW $214.99 Time Remaining: 23h 28m |
 Monster Toned Reverse 1887 Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63 Gorgeous End Roll COLOR $97.99 Time Remaining: 23h 31m |
 Crescent Toned Colorful 1886 Morgan Dollar NGC MS64 Old Gen Holder Blue Green $124.99 Time Remaining: 23h 33m |
 1899 O Morgan Dollar Certified NGC MS65 BU Rainbow Obverse Multi Color Toned $219.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 23h 40m |
 1879 S Morgan Silver Dollar Gorgeous Yellow Red Blue Rainbow Toned Color $169.99 Time Remaining: 23h 44m |
 1885 Morgan Certified ANACS MS65 BU Gorgeous Obverse Color Green Golden Toning $239.99 Time Remaining: 23h 46m |
 1902 O Morgan Silver Dollar Blue Color Crescent Toned Reverse $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 41m |
 1904 O Morgan Silver Dollar Blue Gold Red Color Crescent Monster Toning $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 46m |
 1887 O 2 1921 MORGAN SILVER DOLLARS ONE OF THE 1921 WAS COLORIZED $1.29 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h |
 1886 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR 1 PCGS MS63 GREEN TAG COLORFUL TONING $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 1m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 2011 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 2007 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 20m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 2009 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 20m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 2010 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 2008 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 2011 US MINT COLORIZED PRESIDENTIAL 1 DOLLAR COINS w BOX COMPLETE SET OF 4 $19.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 35m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 1884 O MORGAN MS65 PCGS COLOR CAC $950.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 34m Buy It Now for only: $950.00 |
 1881 MORGAN PF67 NGC COLOR + $13,500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $13,500.00 |
 1927 P Peace Silver 1 Dollar NGC MS63 FREE SHIPPING AWESOME COLORS $225.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 |
 1881 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR SUPERB RAINBOW COLOR 1881S $99.00 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 33m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 1885 P Morgan Dollar Beautiful Rainbow Toning Absolutely Stunning Colors $89.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 37m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 COLORIZED 2010 PRESIDENTIAL DOLLAR SET FRONT ONLY $13.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $13.00 |
 1923 PEACE DOLLAR 1 MS 66 NGC COLOR TONED $575.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 14m Buy It Now for only: $575.00 |
 1886 P MORGAN DOLLAR 2 PIECE TONED SET NGC MS 63 + MS 61 STUNNING RAINBOW COLOR $759.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 37m Buy It Now for only: $759.00 |
 1999 TWO 1 OZ FINE SILVER ONE DOLLAR AMERICAN EAGLE COIN IN COLORED $70.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 19h 57m |
 2000 SUSAN B ANTHONY IN FULL COLOR FROM THE MORGAN MINT WITH COA DISPLAY BOX $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 17m |
 1999 SUSAN B ANTHONY IN FULL COLOR FROM THE MORGAN MINT WITH COA DISPLAY BOX $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 22h 4m |
 1921 P Full Colorized Morgan Silver Dollar $29.09 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 22h 13m |
 1887 P Morgan Silver Dollar RATTLER PCGS MS64 64 Colorful Very PQ 1 Coin $179.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 35m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 1776 1976 E Eisenhower Silver Color Un One Dollar 1 US Coin Piece $9.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 35m |
 1878 S Trade Dollar Natural Color Nice Grade $235.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 |
 1882 CC 1 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR GSA LOOKS GREAT DECENT COLOR UNC $222.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 40m Buy It Now for only: $222.95 |
 EYE CATCHER 1879 S NGC MS65 Rainbow Morgan Dollar NGC COLOR TONED MS65 $263.89 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 57m Buy It Now for only: $263.89 |
 1889 NGC MS64 RAINBOW MORGAN NGC COLOR TONED WOW $167.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 57m Buy It Now for only: $167.99 |
 1884 O NGC MS63 RAINBOW Color Toned Morgan PATCHY BLUE Pink YELLOW Tones $121.79 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 57m Buy It Now for only: $121.79 |
 Colorized 2000 Sacagawea NATIVE AMERICAN Golden Dollar In Full Color BEST BUY $3.95 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 1883 O Morgan Color $100.00 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 39m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 1883 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR NICE COIN SEMI KEY INV 304 NICE COLOR $95.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 54m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 2001 D SACAGAWEA GOLD COLORED DOLLAR LK $2.19 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 5m |
 1886 P MORGAN DOLLAR ICG MS 64 COLOR $78.00 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 28m |
 1882 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR NGC MS63 COLORFUL GREEN BLUE TONING PRICE REDUCED $90.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 35m |
 1 COLORIZED Dwight Eisenhower Dollar treasured piece of American history MINT $16.90 Time Remaining: 2d 11h Buy It Now for only: $16.90 |
 1899 O Morgan Silver Dollar COLORFUL FREE SHIPPING Beautiful New Orleans 1 $99.99 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 11m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |