Surprising People Who Have Appeared On US Currency

Thomas Hart Benton

Benton was a Democrat who served in the Senate for an unprecedented five terms. He was a vocal and staunch advocate of the expansion of the continental United States, especially in a Westerly direction. He was nicknamed Old Bullion due to his being a strong advocate for what’s known as hard money.

In many ways, though lesser known, Benton was one of the chief driving forces behind the growth of the US in the 1800s. He was only denied a sixth term in Senate due to new legislation. His legacy has lived on, and he was commemorated with his face on a $100 Gold Certificate, just 12 years after his death.