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Here's a thought.

Rule #1: Each denomination is to be dedicated to an individual in one specific category of American life.

Rule #2: Each individual on a denomination is to appear for only ten years before he/she is replaced.

Rule #3; The individual on a bill must have been dead for at least 50 years to determine that person's place in history.

$100 bill: dedicated to American military prowess. George Patton would be a good first choice to spend ten years on the bill.

$50 bill: dedicated to American letters. Mark Twain would be a non controversial first choice.

$20 bill: dedicated to American women/minorities. If we're going to put Tubman on the bill, let's show her as a guerilla fighter wielding a gun.

$10 bill: dedicated to American arts and music. George Gershwin would be a no brainer.

$5 bill: dedicated to American science. We've had Franklin on a bill for a long time, so let's put Thomas Edison, the wizard who spat on the floor, on the bill.

For lower denominations, I'd like to follow the example of Canada and use coins for $1 and $2. I could live with Sacajawea because before we started putting presidents on coins in 1909, we always used female or Indian depictions of Liberty. Sacajawea fills both standards. I also have my own idea on replacing presidents on our coins, but I'll save that for another time.

That sounds like how they do things in some other countries -- or used to: Descartes, Pascal, Cezanne, Voltaire, Hugo, Delacroix, Berlioz, etc. on the French franc, etc.

So much of who we are has gone into the "Dead Presidents" currency, though, that changes can be traumatic.

I guess we'll survive, but I don't really see why this change was considered necessary.