About — The Dollar $ign Project

The Why

You are not always able to attend a protest or march to let your voice be heard…but your heart is there.

Whether it is a “No Kings” or a “Hands Off!” or a “50501 Movement” protest, sometimes you can only be there in spirit.

You wish you could be among like-minded individuals holding a sign demanding a change…demanding a change in the current state of the United States of America that has been commandeered by narcissistic, greedy, uncaring, and cowardly self-serving politicians.

The Dollar $ign Project uses their favorite thing in the world against them…MONEY.

LET’S PUT OUR MESSAGE ON IT BEFORE HE PUTS HIS UGLY NAME ON IT!

It is also the dream that The Dollar $ign Project can also help spread the word of peace, love and hope with beautiful messages that inspire.

The What

In your pocket right now there is a sign…a dollar “sign”. The Dollar $ign Project was created to give everyone the chance to get their message in the hands and minds of another with the hope that if it is seen and heard by enough people, perhaps there can be change.

The How

A $1 bill changes hands on average 110 times per year. It is about the same for a $5 bill. $20 bills change hands less frequently or about 75 times per year.

If you write your message, on ten $1 bills and disperse them in the economy, that means potentially 1,100 people will see your message in a year. If only 1,000 people do this, over ONE MILLION people will see a message for change or hope or unity in the course of a year. If 100,000 people do this, an inspiring message can reach almost 1/3 OF AMERICA in just one year!

Helpful hints:

Writing the message on the back of the bill will make it more likely that the bill be accepted when purchasing something, but the choice is yours.
Keeping your message to four words or less is the goal so it is instantly read and registers.
The top margin of most bills are wider and easier to write on.

And if you get a bill with a message you like and support, draw a little heart or just put a check mark in the margin and send it back on its way to someone else in the world!

And of course, no messages should in any way promote violence of any kind! That is not what we are about.

This button will take you to some message suggestions!

Just Some Ideas

The Legal

(The following is an excerpt from usfirstexchange.com that does a great job explaining the law.)

“What Federal Law Actually Says

The U.S. doesn’t leave this to guesswork. The rules are tucked into Title 18 of the United States Code, and two sections are key: USC 333 and USC 475.

Let’s see what they say.

USC 333 - Paper Currency

This is the big one. It says anyone who “mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates” a bank bill (that means your cash) with intent to render it unfit for reissue can be fined or jailed for up to six months.

The magic words? “With intent to render it unfit.” That’s what makes the difference. If you destroy a bill so it can’t be used - tear it up, cover the serial number, burn it - that’s a crime.

But if you doodle a small heart in the corner or write “Happy Birthday,” and the note is still clearly spendable? That’s not what the law is about.

USC 475 - No Ads Allowed

This one surprises people: you can’t use money as ad space. The law bans putting a business or professional card, sticker, slogan, or any kind of advertisement on currency. Even if the bill stays usable, that’s still illegal.

So if you stamp “Visit Joe’s Pizza” on every $10 bill in your till, congratulations - you’ve broken Federal law. Why? Because money isn’t supposed to circulate messages or branding through interstate or foreign commerce.

So… Is Writing on Money Actually a Crime?

Here’s the real-world answer: no, not usually. Writing on money becomes illegal only when you:

Destroy the bill so it can’t circulate.
Cover essential details like serial numbers, seals, or the legal tender clause.
Use the bill for ads or branding (hello, USC 475).

If you do any of that, you’re technically breaking the law. But adding a quick note? Totally fine. The Federal Reserve System isn’t hunting down your doodle-covered dollar.

That said, banks and businesses can still refuse marked bills. If they think a note looks suspicious or too messy, they can reject it - even if it’s technically legal.”