W​alt Disney - Celebrity Note

Walt Disney, along with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, is a beloved celebrity. An image of Walt Disney has been superimposed over George Washington on the U.S. dollar bill. However, this novelty item, known as a "celebrity note," is not produced by Disney. According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing: "A celebrity note is a note upon which the portraits of well-known personalities (such as Santa Claus and movie stars) are temporarily affixed. They, for the most part, are found to be genuine United States currency. Private businesses produce these novelty items by purchasing new currency notes from banks and subsequently apply the picture of a well-known personality over the engraved portrait on the note by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive. These businesses then charge their customers premium prices. " (FAQ Library, "What is a Celebrity Note?", para 1) The legality of celebrity notes falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing states: Additionally, 18 USC 475 prescribes criminal penalties against anyone who ‘designs, engraves, prints, makes, or executes, or utters, issues, distributes, circulates, or uses any business or professional card, notice, placard, circular, handbill, or advertisement in the likeness or similitude of any obligation or security of the United States issued under or authorized by any Act of Congress or writes, prints, or otherwise impresses upon or attaches to any such instrument; obligation, or security, or any coin of the United States, any business or professional card, notice, or advertisement, or any notice or advertisement whatever’. The prohibition contained in section 475 may apply when a celebrity note is being used as a form of commercial advertising. The BEP’s position regarding this matter is that this and other similar treatments of United States currency are demeaning. This type of enterprise is neither endorsed nor authorized by officials at BEP." (FAQ Library, "What is a Celebrity Note?", para 3-4) (https://www.bep.gov/currency/faqs) For additional information, visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's FAQ Library here.