Money Questions, Facts & Tidbits

Why are US dollars green? How many $100 bills are in a million dollars? How much does a million dollars weight? How much does it costs to mint a penny? How to make a dollar bill new again?

I will answer all those questions but first, let's take a brief moment to discuss money in general. Money is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can provide us with many opportunities and advantages. That being said, it’s important to be mindful of the way we handle money and to always be aware of our spending habits and financial goals. To that end, I want to share a few money tidbits with you. One of the most essential tips for successful money management is to establish a budget and stick to it. That means tracking your income and expenses and making sure you’re not spending more than you can afford. Additionally, it’s important to be smart about savings and investments. Consider setting aside a portion of your income each month to build an emergency fund, as well as looking into long-term investments that will help you reach your financial goals. Finally, don’t forget to pay off any high-interest debts, as this can help you save a significant amount of money over time.

Money is a truly amazing and fascinating concept, and it has been around for centuries. Now for a few fun facts about money. Money is an integral part of our daily lives, and something that we often take for granted. However, there are some fascinating facts about currency that you may not know. For example, did you know that paper money was first developed in China during the Tang Dynasty. Or that the first coins made of gold and silver were minted in the ancient kingdom of Lydia in the 7th century BC? Or that the first notes were issued in the 13th century by the Knights Templar in the Holy Land? Learning these interesting facts about money may give you a newfound appreciation for it, and may even come in handy the next time you’re playing trivia night with your friends.

You may not have known that the U.S. dollar is the world’s most commonly used currency, and that the oldest printed paper money is from the Ming Dynasty in China. You also may not know, the Philippine government issued a 100,000-peso note in 1998, which is the biggest banknote that has ever been printed. Fascinatingly, the smallest note in the world is the 10-rai note from Thailand. All of these tidbits of information can help to make you a more informed currency enthusiast.

So the next time you think money, perhaps you can pause and reflect on some of the interesting facts about currency. Not only will this help you to appreciate the value of money, but it may also help you to win at trivia night!

Ok. now to answer those money questions:

Why Are US Dollars Green?

Dollar bills weren’t always green, there is a reason US Dollars are a green color. The US government began using green ink on paper money during the Civil War, giving it the nickname 'greenbacks'. This choice of color was made to prevent counterfeiting, as it does not easily fade or decompose. Prior to this, colonial currency was printed in black or red on a tan surface.

How Many $100 Bills Are In A Million Dollars?

Ten thousand one hundred dollar notes is equivalent to one million dollars (10,000 x $100 = $1,000,000).

How Much Does A Million Dollars Weight?

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing say that all US bills weigh a single gram. The Hundred dollar bill weights the same as the dollar bill. One million $1 bills would weigh 2,040.8 pounds, while one million in $100 bills would weigh only 20.4 pounds.

How Much Does It Costs To Mint A Penny?

The U.S. Mint says the cost to mint pennies has went up over the past few years. It now costs almost three cents (2.72) to make a penny. Why the increase? Part of the rise could be the higher prices of copper and zinc, both are needed to make pennies.

How To Make A Dollar Bill New Again?

OK, you can’t actually ‘make’ a dollar bill, as in printing a new one. But you can change the looks of your old creased, crumpled, or wrinkled dollar bill, making them look new again. Believe it or not, U.S. dollars are actually made of fabric - 75% cotton and 25% linen, to be exact. You can use an iron, like the one you use to iron clothes, and get a crisp, new-looking bill with just a few simple steps.

To iron the money, start by dampening the dollar bill slightly with a spray bottle, sprinkle water by hand, or use the spray function on the iron itself. Make sure not to get the bill too wet, as it could cause it to stick to the iron. Then, place the bill between two pieces of cloth. This will help protect the paper and also prevent any ink from transferring onto the iron. Place the cloth-protected bill on an ironing board and press it with a warm, dry iron. Be careful not to press too hard and keep the iron moving to avoid scorching. When finished, the bill should look crisp and new.

How Many Times Can A Bill Be Folded? 

Did you know that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the only producer of U.S. paper currency? According to them, a dollar bill can withstand 4,000 double folds (forward and backward) before tearing. Interestingly, paper money isn't actually made of paper. As pointed out above, it's a combination of 75% cotton and 25% linen, with evenly distributed blue and red synthetic fibers of varying lengths.

When Was The Dollar Sign First Used? 

Did you know that the dollar sign we use in the US today came from the Spanish symbol for pesos? Back in 1785, the abbreviation PS was used to signify Spanish pesos in the Americas, which later turned into the dollar sign we recognize today. Over time, the "S" was written over the "P" to create the familiar symbol.

Who’s Picture Is On The $2 Bill?

When the bill was introduced in 1862, it featured Alexander Hamilton’s portrait. But since 1869 it's been Thomas Jefferson on the two-dollar bill. And the $2 bill is nicknamed Tom because it features the portrait of our third president, Thomas Jefferson. To read more about the Two Dollar Bill see my post HERE: 

A few more money facts: There are 293 ways to make change for a $1.00 bill. “Greenbacks” were paper currency issued by the U.S. during the Civil War. Two-thirds of U.S. currency is found outside the U.S. Coins can last an average of 30 years in circulation. Nearly 40 tons of ink is used to print money every day.

I hope this has been helpful and thanks for reading,

Tom