The United States one-dollar bill ($1) is the most common denomination of US currency. The first president, George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart, is currently featured on the obverse, while the Great Seal of the United States is featured on the reverse. The one-dollar bill has the oldest reverse design of all U.S. currency, while the two-dollar bill has the oldest obverse design currently being produced. The obverse design seen today on the one-dollar bill debuted in 1963 when it first became a Federal Reserve Note.
The inclusion of the motto, "In God We Trust," on all currency was required by law in 1955, and first appeared on paper money in 1957. This legislation was passed during the Red Scare period of US politics.
An individual dollar bill is also less formally known as a one, a single, a buck, a bone, and a bill .
The Federal Reserve says the average life of a $1 bill in circulation is 4.8 years before it is replaced because of wear. Approximately 42% of all U.S. currency produced in 2009 were one-dollar bills.