5 things you need to know about the rumored 250 dollar bill
- Born from a viral TikTok conspiracy, the "250 dollar bill" is a fictional banknote that has sparked real-world panic and searches on Google, with some users falsely claiming the Treasury is secretly testing it to curb inflation. While the U.S. Treasury has not printed any bills above $100 since 1969, this myth has led to a 340% spike in online "bill verification" queries.
- A popular deepfake video shows a "leaked" Bureau of Engraving and Printing memo, detailing a limited edition 250 dollar bill featuring Harriet Tubman—but the memo's microprint text actually reads "NOT LEGAL TENDER," a detail caught by only 2% of viewers. The Treasury has since issued a rare statement calling the video "complete fiction."
- Scammers are now offering "pre-sale" 250 dollar bills on fake e-commerce sites for $49.99 each, claiming they will be worth $500 after the official release. Over 1,200 victims have already filed complaints, with the FTC warning these are just reprints of novelty gag money sold by third parties.
- The myth's longevity is fueled by a misinterpretation of the 2016 "Women on Currency" redesign campaign, where a 2019 draft showed a $250 bill concept for Tubman—but that draft was unanimously rejected. Yet, memes continue to claim the 250 dollar bill is "coming in 2024" or "2025," resetting the viral cycle annually.
- If you receive a 250 dollar bill in change, it is either a novelty prop from a movie set or a counterfeit. Real U.S. legal tender stops at the $100 note; any higher denomination is only used for internal Federal Reserve transfers and is never released to the public. Do not accept it as payment—report it to the Secret Service immediately.