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Encyclopedia > US $
Contemporary United States Coins and Notes
Unit ($) Design on Obverse Design on Reverse
Coins
0.01 (penny) Abraham Lincoln Lincoln Memorial
0.05 (nickel) Thomas Jefferson Westward Journey Designs
0.10 (dime) Franklin D. Roosevelt torch, oak branch, olive branch
0.25 (quarter) George Washington Statehood designs
0.50 (half dollar) John F. Kennedy Presidential Coat of Arms
0.50 (half dollar) Benjamin Franklin Liberty Bell
1.00 Sacagawea Eagle in flight
1.00 Dwight Eisenhower Eagle landing on The Moon
1.00 Susan B. Anthony Eagle landing on The Moon
Federal Reserve Notes
1 George Washington Great Seal of the United States
2 Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence
5 Abraham Lincoln Lincoln Memorial
10 Alexander Hamilton Treasury building
20 Andrew Jackson White House
50 Ulysses S. Grant U.S. Capitol
100 Benjamin Franklin Independence Hall
Large U.S. denominations (deprecated)

The United States dollar, or American dollar, is the official currency of the United States. It is also widely used as a reserve currency outside the United States. Currently, the issuance of currency is controlled by the Federal Reserve Banking systems. The most commonly used symbol for the U.S. dollar is the dollar sign ($). The ISO 4217 code for the United States Dollar is USD; the U.S. dollar is also referenced as US$ by the International Monetary Fund. In 1995, over $380 billion (380 G$) in U.S. currency was in circulation, two-thirds of it overseas. As of April 2004 nearly $700 billion [1] was in circulation, with an estimated half to two-thirds of it still being held overseas [2]. A denomination is a unit of currency. ... In logic (and usually without being paired with reverse), obverse has a meaning close to contrapositive. ... The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling 1/100 of a United States dollar. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... The Lincoln Memorial, built 1915 - 1922 The Lincoln Memorial, on the extended axis of the National Mall in Washington, DC, is a memorial to United States President Abraham Lincoln. ... The United States five cent coin, commonly called a nickel, is a unit of currency equaling one-twentieth, or five-hundredths, of a United States dollar. ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect, archaeologist, slaveowner, author, inventor and founder of the University of Virginia. ... The United States five cent coin, commonly called a nickel, is a unit of currency equaling one-twentieth, or five-hundredths, of a United States dollar. ... A dime is a coin issued by the United States Mint with a denomination of one-tenth of a United States dollar, or ten cents. ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945), the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus, and some related genera, notably Lithocarpus. ... Olive branch is a colloquial term referring to a concession or a gesture of peace, as well as a peace symbol. ... The quarter is 1/4th of a United States dollar or 25 cents. ... George Washington, (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) is one of the most famous Americans (see Father of the Nation[1]). He was a gentleman farmer who became an American general and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and later the first... Obverse of redesigned quarter The 50 State Quarters program is the release of a series of commemorative coins by the United States Mint. ... The Half Dollar of the United States has been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1793. ... JFK redirects here. ... The Seal of the President of the United States is based on the Great Seal of the United States. ... The Half Dollar of the United States has been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1793. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat,Atheist and inventor. ... The Liberty Bell is an American bell of great historic significance, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ... Sacagawea (Sakakawea, Sacajawea; see below) (c. ... The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey indigenous to North America, and is the national symbol of the United States. ... Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ... Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890–March 28, 1969), American soldier and politician, was the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) and supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, with the rank of General of the Army. ... The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey indigenous to North America, and is the national symbol of the United States. ... For other moons in the solar system see natural satellite. ... Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ... Susan Brownell Anthony, aged 28 Susan Brownell Anthony Susan Brownell Anthony, (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was an American civil rights leader who, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, led the effort to grant women the right to vote in the United States. ... The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey indigenous to North America, and is the national symbol of the United States. ... For other moons in the solar system see natural satellite. ... The U.S. one dollar bill ($1) is a denomination of U.S. currency. ... George Washington, (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) is one of the most famous Americans (see Father of the Nation[1]). He was a gentleman farmer who became an American general and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and later the first... Obverse The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States government. ... Obverse of $2 bill Reverse of $2 bill The United States two dollar bill ($2) is a denomination of U.S. currency. ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect, archaeologist, slaveowner, author, inventor and founder of the University of Virginia. ... U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is a document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... The U.S. five dollar bill ($5) is a denomination of United States currency. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... The Lincoln Memorial, built 1915 - 1922 The Lincoln Memorial, on the extended axis of the National Mall in Washington, DC, is a memorial to United States President Abraham Lincoln. ... The old and new ten dollar bill The U.S. ten dollar bill ($10) is a denomination of United States currency. ... A portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1792. ... The United States Department of the Treasury is a Cabinet department, a treasury, of the United States government established by an Act of U.S. Congress in 1789 to manage the revenue of the United States government. ... The U.S. twenty dollar bill ($20) is a denomination of United States currency. ... Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845), one of the founders of the Democratic Party, was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. ... The southern side of the White House The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. ... 2004 Federal Reserve note - Obverse 2004 Federal Reserve note - Reverse The U.S. fifty dollar bill ($50) is a denomination of United States currency. ... Order: 18th President Vice President: Schuyler Colfax (1869–1873); Henry Wilson (1873–1875) Term of office: March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877 Preceded by: Andrew Johnson Succeeded by: Rutherford B. Hayes Date of birth: April 27, 1822 Place of birth: Point Pleasant, Ohio Date of death: July 23, 1885 Place... United States Capitol The Capitol when first occupied by Congress, 1800. ... The U.S. hundred dollar bill ($100) is a denomination of United States currency. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat,Atheist and inventor. ... The belltower atop Independence Hall, formerly home to the Liberty Bell. ... Today, the currency of the United States, the U.S. dollar, is printed in bills in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. ... A reserve currency is a currency which is held in significant quantities by other governments and institutions as part of their foreign exchange reserves. ... The Federal Reserve System is headquartered in the Eccles Building on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC. The Federal Reserve System (also the Federal Reserve; informally The Fed) is the central banking system of the United States. ... Dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... ISO 4217 is an international standard describing three letter codes to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... The flag of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the international organization entrusted with overseeing the global financial system by monitoring foreign exchange rates and balance of payments, as well as offering technical and financial assistance when asked. ... 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The word billion and its equivalents in other languages, refer to one of two different numbers. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The word billion and its equivalents in other languages, refer to one of two different numbers. ...


The United States is one of many countries that use a currency known as a dollar. Several countries use the U.S. dollar as their official currency, and many others allow it to be used in a de facto legal capacity. See dollar. De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...


The colloquialism buck is often used to refer to a U.S. dollar. This term, dating to the 18th century, may have originated with the colonial fur trade. Grand, sometimes shortened to simply G, is a common term for the amount of 1,000 of several currencies, including dollars. A colloquialism is an informal expression, that is, an expression not used in formal speech or writing. ... Buck may refer to any of the following: Natasha Buck, the coolestest person in the whole world!!!!!!! The male of various species of animal, including: some species of deer — see also blackbuck rabbits Tyrannosaurus rex (this use of the term was first used in the Jurassic Park series and is... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ...

Contents


Overview

The U.S. dollar is most commonly divided into 100 cents (symbol ¢). In another division, there are 1,000 mills to a dollar; additionally, an amount of ten dollars has been referred to as an eagle. However, only cents are in everyday use as divisions of the dollar; "eagle" and "mill" are largely unknown to the general public, though mills are sometimes used in matters of tax levies. When currently issued in circulating form, denominations equal to or less than a dollar are emitted as U.S. coins while denominations equal to or greater than a dollar are emitted as Federal Reserve notes. (Both one-dollar coins and notes are produced today, although the note form is significantly more common.) In the past, paper money was occasionally issued in denominations less than a dollar (Fractional Currency) and gold coins were issued for circulation up to the value of twenty dollars. A two cent euro coin A US penny In currency, the cent is a monetary unit that equals th of the basic unit of value. ... The mill or mille(â‚¥) (sometimes mil in the UK) is an abstract unit of currency. ... Eagle: retired $10 denomination of a series of gold coins A 1908 Eagle, Graded MS62 1908 Eagle Reverse The Eagle was one of four coins issued in gold by the United States Mint. ... A tax is a compulsory charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (e. ... Current US Coinage. ... Various Federal Reserve Notes Federal Reserve note is the official name for the kind of banknote used in the United States, more commonly known as dollar bills. ... Fractional Currency notes were issued in the United States from August 21, 1862 through February 15, 1876. ...


U.S. coins are produced by the United States Mint. U.S. dollar banknotes have been printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for the Federal Reserve since 1914. They began as large-sized notes. In 1928, they switched to small-sized notes, for reasons that are yet to be explained. The United States Mint is responsible for producing and circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. ... A £20 Ulster Bank banknote. ... BEP Annual Production Figures Categories: U.S. Dept. ... The Federal Reserve System is headquartered in the Eccles Building on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC. The Federal Reserve System (also the Federal Reserve; informally The Fed) is the central banking system of the United States. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... A large-sized note is a bill of any denomination of U.S. currency printed between 1863 and 1929. ... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A large-sized note is a bill of any denomination of U.S. currency printed between 1863 and 1929. ...

One US dollar (1917)
One US dollar (1917)

Notes above the $100 denomination ceased being printed in 1946 and were officially withdrawn from circulation in 1969. These notes were used primarily either in inter-bank transactions or by organized crime; it was the latter usage that prompted President Richard Nixon to issue an executive order in 1969 halting their use. With the advent of electronic banking, they became unnecessary. Notes in denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $100,000 were all produced at one time; see large denomination bills in U.S. currency for details. See History of the American dollar for more info about the currency's history. http://www. ... http://www. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... Organized crime is crime carried out systematically by formal criminal organizations. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was the thirty-seventh President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. ... Today, the currency of the United States, the U.S. dollar, is printed in bills in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. ... U.S. Federal Reserve notes (greenbacks) in the mid-1990s The history of the United States dollar covers more than 200 years. ...


United States coins

In normal circulation, there are coins in the denominations 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), 50¢ (half dollar; uncommon), and $1 (uncommon).


Dollar coins have never been popular in the United States. Silver dollars were created from 1794 through 1935 with a few short gaps; then a copper-nickel dollar of the same large size was minted from 1971 through 1978. The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin was introduced in 1979; these proved to be unpopular because they were often mistaken for quarters, thanks to their nearly-equal size, their milled edge, and their similar color. Minting of these dollars quickly stopped, but, as with all past U.S. coins, they remain legal tender. In 2000, a new $1 coin featuring Sacagawea was introduced, which corrected some of the mistakes of the Anthony dollar by having a smooth edge and a gold color. However, this new coin has failed to achieve the popularity of the still-existing $1 bill and is rarely used in daily transactions. The failure to simultaneously withdraw the dollar bill and weak publicity efforts have been cited by coin proponents as primary reasons for the failure of the dollar coin to gain popular support. As most vending machines are incapable of making change in banknotes, they are frequently designed to give change in dollar coins and occasionally half-dollar coins. Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ... Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ... Susan Brownell Anthony, aged 28 Susan Brownell Anthony Susan Brownell Anthony, (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was an American civil rights leader who, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, led the effort to grant women the right to vote in the United States. ... The Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is a coin minted between 1979 and 1981, and again in 1999. ... Sacagawea (Sakakawea, Sacajawea; see below) (c. ... Soda pop and snack machines A vending machine is a machine that dispenses merchandise when a customer deposits money sufficient to purchase the desired item (as opposed to a shop, where personnel is required for every purchase). ... A £20 Ulster Bank banknote. ...


Reaching into the past, the United States has minted other coin denominations since 1793: half-cent, two-cent, three-cent, twenty-cent, $2.50, $3.00, $4.00, $5.00, $10.00, and $20.00. Technically, all these coins are still legal tender at face value, though they are all worth far more to any coin collector. 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Coin collecting is the hobby of collecting coins. ...


The United States Mint also produces gold and platinum bullion coins, called "American Eagles", all of which are legal tender though their use in everyday transactions is virtually non-existent. The reason for this is that they are not intended for use in transactions and thus the face value of the coins are much lower than the worth of the precious metals in them. The American Silver Eagle bullion coin is only issued in the $1 (1 troy oz) denomination. The American Gold Eagle bulllion coin denominations (with gold content) are: $5 (1/10 troy oz), $10 (1/4 troy oz), $25 (1/2 troy oz), and $50 (1 troy oz). The American Platinum Eagle bullion coin denominations (with platinum content) are: $10 (1/10 troy oz), $25 (1/4 troy oz), $50 (1/2 troy oz), and $100 (1 troy oz). The silver coin is 99.9% silver, the gold coins are 91.67% gold (22 karat), and the platinum coins are 99.95% platinum. These coins are not available from the Mint for individuals, but must be purchased from authorized dealers. The Mint also produces high quality "proof" coins, intended for collectors, in the same denominations and bullion content, which are available for individuals. The United States Mint is responsible for producing and circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Atomic mass 195. ... A precious metal is a rare metallic element of high, durable economic value. ... The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. ... The American Gold Eagle is the official gold bullion coin of the United States. ... The American Platinum Eagle is the official platinum bullion coin of the United States. ... Carat or Karat may refer to: a unit of mass for gems. ...


The largest denomation of currency currently printed or minted by the United States is the $100 bill and the $100 troy ounce Platinum Eagle.


Criticisms of U.S. coins

Uniquely for a major currency, the value of U.S. coins is not inscribed on them with a number. Instead, the value is written in English words, presenting potential difficulties for visitors to the country who do not speak the language well. Furthermore, the coins' inscriptions do not follow a consistent pattern of describing the value in cents: "One Cent" (penny), "Five Cents" (nickel) "One Dime" (dime, worth 10 cents), "Quarter Dollar" (quarter, worth 25 cents), and "Half Dollar" (worth 50 cents); knowledge of these terms is required for visitors. (It may also be necessary for visitors to learn the coins' colloquial names.) The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...


For historical reasons, the size of the coins does not increase consistently with their face value. Both the one cent (penny) and the five cent (nickel) are larger than the dime, worth ten cents, and the less common 50-cent coin is larger than the recent Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony dollar coins. The sizes of the dime, quarter, and half dollar are holdovers from before 1964, when they were made from 90% silver; their sizes thus depended upon the amount of silver which cost their respective values, and helps explain why the dime is the smallest of the coins. The current diameter used in dollar coins was introduced in 1979 with the Susan B. Anthony dollar, so their size was not dependent upon silver, and was thus chosen somewhat arbitrarily, with no relation to the Eisenhower dollars which were the same size as the Peace and Morgan silver dollars used earlier in the 20th century. Sacagawea (Sakakawea, Sacajawea; see below) (c. ... Susan Brownell Anthony, aged 28 Susan Brownell Anthony Susan Brownell Anthony, (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was an American civil rights leader who, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, led the effort to grant women the right to vote in the United States. ... General Name, Symbol, Number silver, Ag, 47 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 5, d Appearance lustrous white metal Atomic mass 107. ...


Criticisms of U.S. banknotes

Despite the relatively late addition of color and other anti-counterfeiting features to U.S. currency, critics hold that it is still a straightforward matter to counterfeit the bills. They point out that the ability to reproduce color images is well within the capabilities of modern color printers, most of which are affordable to many consumers. These critics suggest that the Federal Reserve should incorporate holographic features, as are used in most other major currencies, such as the British Pound, Canadian dollar and Euro banknotes, which are much more difficult and expensive to forge. Another robust technology, developed for the Australian dollar and adopted for the New Zealand dollar, Romanian leu, and a few other currencies, produces polymer banknotes. A computer printer is a computer peripheral device that produces a hard copy (permanent human-readable text and/or graphics, usually on paper) from data stored in a computer connected to it. ... Holography (from the Greek, Όλος-holos whole + γραφή-graphe writing) is the science of producing holograms, an advanced form of photography that allows an image to be recorded in three dimensions. ... For details of notes and coins, see British coinage and British banknotes. ... The Canadian dollar, CAD or C$, is the unit of currency of Canada. ... The euro symbol The euro (EUR or €) is the single currency for many countries within the European Union. ... Australian one-hundred dollar note The Australian dollar, AUD or A$, is the official currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific island states of Kiribati, Nauru and... A New Zealand $100 polymer banknote, replacement of the old paper notes. ... The Romanian leu (plural: lei; ISO 4217 code RON) is the national currency of Romania. ... The first Guardian polymer banknote in circulation. ...


However, U.S. currency may not be as vulnerable as it is said to be. Two of the most critical anti-counterfeiting features of U.S. currency are the paper and the ink. The exact composition of the paper is confidential, as is the formula for the ink. The ink and paper combine to create a distinct texture, particularly as the currency is circulated. These characteristics can be hard to duplicate without the proper equipment and materials. U.S. notes, however, remain less secure than most other notes, and while a bank might be able to detect fine differences in paper and ink technology, counterfeit notes generally receive far less scrutiny at a point of sale.


Critics also note that U.S. bills are often hard to tell apart: They use very similar designs, are printed in the same colors, and are the same size. Advocates for the blind have argued that they should be printed in increasing sizes according to value and employ braille codes to make the currency more usable by the vision-impaired, since the denominations cannot easily be distinguished from one another nonvisually. Though some vision-impaired or blind individuals say that they have learned to determine the different denominations by feel, many others rely on currency readers; still others have their bills each folded differently to quickly identify the denomination. For the blind, this initially requires the assistance of a mechanical device or a sighted person. A Czech braille calendar This article is about the writing system. ... Blindness can be defined physiologically as the condition of lacking visual perception. ...


By contrast, other major currencies, such as the euro feature notes of differing sizes: the size of the note increases with the denomination and are printed in different colors. This is useful not only for the vision-impaired; They nearly eliminate the risk that, for example, someone might fail to notice a high-value note among low-value ones, a common problem in the United States. Tourists also frequently encounter difficulties with U.S. money, as they are less familiar with the design cues that distinguish the various denominations. The euro (€; ISO 4217 code EUR) is the currency of twelve European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. ...


Multiple currency sizes were considered for U.S. currency, but makers of vending and change machines successfully argued that implementing such a wide range of sizes would greatly increase the cost and complexity of such machines. Similar arguments were made in Europe prior to the introduction of multiple note sizes, but these arguments were obviously not successful.


Alongside the contrasting colors and increasing sizes, many other countries' currencies contain tactile features missing from U.S. banknotes to assist the blind. For example, Canadian banknotes have a series of raised dots (though not standard braille) in the upper right corner to indicate denomination. The Canadian dollar, CAD or C$, is the unit of currency of Canada. ... Current Canadian banknotes (the Canadian Journey series) have a tactile feature to indicate denomination in the upper right corner of the face side of the bill. ...


Apart from their value in helping users to tell notes apart, the differing sizes of other currency banknotes are a security feature that eliminates one form of counterfeiting to which U.S. currency is prone: Counterfeiters can simply bleach the ink off a low-denomination note, typically a single dollar, and reprint it as a higher-value note, such as a $100 bill. To counter this, the U.S. government has debated making lower-denomination notes slightly smaller than those of higher denomination. Current proposals suggest making the $1 and $5 bills an inch shorter in length and a half-inch shorter in height; however, having two sizes of banknotes but seven denominations, rather than incrementally increased sizes, would not eliminate the problem of their usability for the blind.


International use

U.S. $100 note, featuring a picture of Benjamin Franklin.
U.S. $100 note, featuring a picture of Benjamin Franklin.

A few nations besides the United States use the U.S. dollar (USD) as their official currency. Ecuador, El Salvador, and East Timor all adopted the currency independently. The former members of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, including Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, chose not to issue their own currency after becoming independent. This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free content hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat,Atheist and inventor. ... National motto: ? Official language English? Capital Saipan Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 78 (United States) 1,779 km² Negligible Population  - Total  - Density 132,929 (1980) N/Akm² GDP  - Total  - GDP/head N/A Currency US Dollar Time zone UTC: ? Independence UN trusteeship administered by the US Internet TLD none? Calling code...


Additionally, the local currencies of Bermuda, the Bahamas, Panama, and a few other states can be freely exchanged at a 1:1 ratio for USD. The currency of Barbados is similarly convertible at a 2:1 ratio. Argentina used a fixed 1:1 exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar from 1991 until 2002. In Lebanon, one dollar is equal to 1500 Lebanese pound, and is used interchangeably with local currency as a de facto legal tender. The exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the United States dollar has also been linked since the early 1983 at HK$7.8/USD, and Pataca of Macau, pegged to Hong Kong dollar at MOP1.03/HKD, indirectly linked to the US dollar roughly at MOP8/USD. Peso is the name of the currency of various countries: Argentina: Argentine peso (ISO 4217: ARS) Chile: Chilean peso (CLP) Colombia: Colombian peso (COP) Cuba: Cuban peso (CUP) Dominican Republic: Dominican peso (DOP) Mexico: Mexican peso (MXN, previously MXP) Philippines: Philippine peso (PHP) Uruguay: Uruguayan peso (UYU) In Spanish peso... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Lebanese Pound (ISO 4217: LBP) is the currency unit of Lebanon. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... The Hong Kong Dollar is the official currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Pataca is the monetary unit of Macau (currency code MOP). ...


The renminbi used by the People's Republic of China had been informally and controversially pegged to the dollar since the mid-1990s at Y8.28/USD until July 21, 2005. Likewise, Malaysia had pegged its ringgit at RM3.8/USD since 1997. However, on July 21, 2005, both countries removed their respective pegs and adopted managed floats against a basket of currencies. 100 Renminbi Yuan issued in 1999 The renminbi (Simplified Chinese: 人民币; Traditional Chinese: 人民幣; pinyin: ; literally peoples currency) is the official currency in the mainland of the Peoples Republic of China. ... // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining the same mindset. ... The ringgit (unofficially known as the Malaysian dollar), is the official monetary unit of Malaysia. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The dollar is also used as the standard unit of currency in international markets for commodities such as gold and oil. Even foreign companies with little direct presence in the United States, such as the European company Airbus, list and sell their products in dollars, although some argue this is attributed to the aerospace market being dominated by US companies. General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ... Oil is a generic term for organic liquids that are not miscible with water. ... Airbus S.A.S. or simply Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is the worlds largest commercial aircraft manufacturer. ...


At the present time, the U.S. dollar remains the world's foremost reserve currency, primarily held in $100 denominations. The majority of U.S. notes are actually held outside the United States. According to economist Paul Samuelson, the overseas demand for dollars allows the United States to maintain persistent trade deficits without causing the value of the currency to depreciate and the flow of trade to readjust. Paul A. Samuelson (born May 15, 1915) is an American economist known for his work in many fields of economics. ...


Not long after the introduction of the euro (€; ISO 4217 code EUR) as a cash currency in 2002, the dollar began to steadily depreciate in value on the international scene. After the euro started to rise in value in March 2002, the U.S. trade and budget deficits continued to increase. By Christmas 2004 the dollar had fallen to new lows against all major currencies, especially its rival the euro. The euro rose above $1.36 /€ (under 0.74 €/$) for the first time in late December 2004, in sharp contrast to its lows in early 2003 (rate of $0.87/€). Beginning in late May into early June though the Dollar rose sharply against the Euro as European states reported stagnation in the overall EU economy and doubts were raised over the EU Constitution which was voted down in two member states: France and The Netherlands. As unemployment rates rise in the Euro zone and economic growth slows the EU may see a drop in the value of the Euro against the Dollar for at least part of 2005 although the Euro is expected to maintain its strength if not in a slightly diminished manner. The euro (€; ISO 4217 code EUR) is the currency of twelve European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. ... The euro (€; ISO 4217 code EUR) is the currency of twelve European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. ...


Origin of the name dollar

The United States dollar derives from the Spanish 8 reales coin which was composed of just under one ounce of silver. This coin was popular among American colonists who called it the Spanish dollar, the name having derived from a German coin of similar size and composition known as the thaler. The first dollar coins issued by the United States mint were of the same size and composition as the Spanish dollar and even after the American Revolutionary War the Spanish and U.S. silver dollars circulated side by side in the United States. The Spanish dollar or peso (literally, weight) is a silver coin that was minted in the Spanish Empire after a Spanish currency reform in 1497. ... Examples of German and Austrian thalers compared to a US quarter piece The Thaler was a silver coin used throughout Europe for almost four hundred years. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ...


Although private banks issued currency backed by Spanish and U.S. silver dollars, the federal government did not do so until the American Civil War. The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ...


For further history of the name, see Dollar. Dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...


The dollar symbol

Main Article: Dollar sign Dollar Sign - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...


There are various stories on origin of the "$" sign to represent "dollar." Because the dollar was originally the Spanish 8 reales coin, it is suggested that the 'S' derives from the number '8' which appeared on the coin. The most widely accepted explanation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, is that "$" is a corruption of the letters "PS" (for 'peso' or 'piastre' - especially the former, as each letter could represent each syllable of "Pe-So") written over each other in Spanish. Eventually, the 'P' was reduced to a vertical line - | - since the hump disappeared into the upper curve of the 'S' anyway. Examination of old manuscripts yields support for this theory. The "$" symbol was widely in use before formal adoption of the Spanish dollar as U.S. currency in 1785. The United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is an agency in the United States Department of the Treasury that primarily prints Federal Reserve notes for the Federal Reserve, but also produces a variety of other government security documents. ... Peso is the name of the currency of various countries: Argentina: Argentine peso (ISO 4217: ARS) Chile: Chilean peso (CLP) Colombia: Colombian peso (COP) Cuba: Cuban peso (CUP) Dominican Republic: Dominican peso (DOP) Mexico: Mexican peso (MXN, previously MXP) Philippines: Philippine peso (PHP) Uruguay: Uruguayan peso (UYU) In Spanish peso... Originally a dollar size silver coin, the Piastre served as the major unit of currency of French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), and Ottoman Turkey. ...


The dollar sign is sometimes written with two vertical strokes. This is probably just a carry-over of the old habit of using three strokes to write the original sign: One stroke for the 'S' (it is physically easier to write the 'S' first, then the 'P'), a second stroke for the vertical line '|,' and then a third stroke for the hump of the 'P.' People in a hurry or who simply do not care about making a perfectly formed 'P' (especially as the 'hump' will disappear into the 'S' anyway), probably just made the third stroke a second vertical line.


There are, however, a number of fanciful explanations for the second vertical line - ranging from superimposition of the letters 'U' and 'S' (the bottom of the 'U' disappearing into the buttom curve of the 'S,' effectively leaving two vertical lines that eventually merge into one as the sign '$'), to the very amusing but original idea that the dollar sign with two vertical lines represents the two pillars of the original Temple of Solomon at Jersusalem. Neither of these stories holds up, however, first because this version of the symbol pre-dates the founding of the United States (whence came the notion of 'U' superimposed over 'S'); and, second, because there is simply no evidence for the theory in the history of the Spanish coin. Rather, this theory seems to trace to the traditions of Freemasonry; and, indeed, some Masonic symbols do appear on U.S. currency - but they did not in 1785.


For further information about the symbol, see Dollar. See also Pieces of Eight. Dollar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The Spanish dollar or peso (literally, weight) is a silver coin that was minted in the Spanish Empire after a Spanish currency reform in 1497. ...


Current USD exchange rates

AUD | CAD | EUR | GBP | INR | NZD | BRL | Lots of exchange rates


External links

United States currency and coinage
Topics: Federal Reserve Note | United States Note | United States coinage | United States dollar
Currency: $1 | $2 | $5 | $10 | $20 | $50 | $100 | Larger denominations
Coinage: Cent | Nickel | Dime | Quarter | Half Dollar | Dollar


Various Federal Reserve Notes Federal Reserve note is the official name for the kind of banknote used in the United States, more commonly known as dollar bills. ... United State Notes (also known as Legal Tender Notes because of their payment obligation stating This Note is a Legal Tender) are banknotes characterized by a red seal and serial number. ... Current US Coinage. ... The U.S. one dollar bill ($1) is a denomination of U.S. currency. ... Obverse of $2 bill Reverse of $2 bill The United States two dollar bill ($2) is a denomination of U.S. currency. ... The U.S. five dollar bill ($5) is a denomination of United States currency. ... The old and new ten dollar bill The U.S. ten dollar bill ($10) is a denomination of United States currency. ... The U.S. twenty dollar bill ($20) is a denomination of United States currency. ... 2004 Federal Reserve note - Obverse 2004 Federal Reserve note - Reverse The U.S. fifty dollar bill ($50) is a denomination of United States currency. ... The U.S. hundred dollar bill ($100) is a denomination of United States currency. ... Today, the currency of the United States, the U.S. dollar, is printed in bills in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. ... The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling 1/100 of a United States dollar. ... The United States five cent coin, commonly called a nickel, is a unit of currency equaling one-twentieth, or five-hundredths, of a United States dollar. ... A dime is a coin issued by the United States Mint with a denomination of one-tenth of a United States dollar, or ten cents. ... The quarter is 1/4th of a United States dollar or 25 cents. ... The Half Dollar of the United States has been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1793. ... Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in both gold and silver versions. ...

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Currencies of The Americas
North  Bermuda dollar | Canadian dollar | Danish krone (Greenland) | Euro (Saint-Pierre et Miquelon) | Mexican peso | US dollar
Central  Belize dollar | Costa Rican colón | Guatemalan quetzal | Honduran lempira | Nicaraguan córdoba | Panamanian balboa | US dollar (El Salvador)
Caribbean  Aruban florin | Bahamian dollar | Barbadian dollar | Cayman dollar | Cuban peso | Dominican peso | East Caribbean dollar | Euro (Guadeloupe, Martinique) | Haitian gourde | Jamaican dollar | Netherlands Antilles florin | Trinidad and Tobago dollar
South  Argentine peso | Bolivian boliviano | Brazilian real | Chilean peso | Colombian peso | Euro (French Guiana) | Falkland pound | Guyanese dollar | Paraguayan guaraní | Peruvian nuevo sol | Suriname dollar | US dollar (Ecuador) | Uruguayan peso | Venezuelan bolívar


 

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