USA TODAY - New color $5 bills come out today

This story has been sent from the mobile device of Bombastic4000@gmail.com. For real-time mobile news, go to m.usatoday.com.

WASHINGTON
By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer

Abraham Lincoln is getting a little color in his cheeks. New $5 bills bearing the gaunt visage of the nation's 16th president with some touches of color added are making their way to banks and cash registers today.

The Federal Reserve, supplier of the nation's cash, will start Thursday shipping the bills to banks, which send them to businesses and eventually into the hands of people in this country and beyond.

DETAILS OF NEW BILL: See the security features

Fittingly, one of the new bills will be spent for the first time Thursday at the gift shop of President Lincoln's Cottage on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in northwest Washington.

The new $5 bill is the latest in a series of redesigned banknotes aimed at foiling counterfeiters, who over the years have grown increasingly sophisticated.

A portrait of Lincoln is still on the front and the Lincoln Memorial remains on the back.

To the naked eye, the most notable difference is splashes of light purple at the center of the bill that blend into gray near the edges.

Small yellow "05" numerals are printed to the left of Lincoln on the front and to the right of the memorial on the back. The Great Seal of the United States, which features an eagle and shield, will appear in purple to the right of the president's portrait. Arcs of purple stars border Lincoln and the seal.

The note also will feature an enlarged "5" printed in high-contrast purple ink in the lower right corner of the back of the bill. It also will have two separate watermarks and a number of other high-tech changes to make it harder for counterfeiters to knock off.

The old $5 bills will continue to be accepted and recirculated until they wear out.

The makeover of the $5 bill is similar to changes to $10, $20 and $50 bills.

Next up for a new look: the $100 bill.

Website address: http://www.usatoday.com/money/2008-03-13-new-five-dollar-bill_N.htm