hundred dollar bills

Fun Facts About Money You've Never Heard Of

Money plays such a big role in our lives, but because it’s so common we tend to take it for granted. But it actually has an interesting back story. How is it made, how much is it out there, and what exactly has that bunch of $1 in your wallet go through? Here are some fun facts about money that will change the way you see your cash.

It’s Expensive To Make Money

Did you know that the cost of making a penny is 2.4 cents? And that every single day, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing uses 9.7 tons of ink in order to print new currency? As Warren Buffet said, you need to spend money to make money!

However, it’s actually more cost-effective to produce paper bills than coins. $1 and $2 only cost 5.6 cents for each note, and even the $100 only costs 13.2 cents per note.

It’s A Germ Hotel

Biologists from New York University identified over 3,000 types of bacteria on dollar bills from a bank in Manhattan. That’s even more than what you’d find on a toilet seat!

And what’s even scarier is that these microorganisms are linked to food poisoning, pneumonia, acne, gastric ulcers, staph infections, and other dangerous diseases.

Several other studies replicated the NYU tests — and one of them even found traces of cocaine on 80% of the bills they swabbed. In some states, they found that 100% of the bills tested had some form of drugs. Now that’s definitely one of the fun facts about money we didn’t expect to see!

Bills Have Different Life Expectancy

Bills are folded, crumpled into pockets, and generally take a lot of handling and abuse. No wonder most bills only last about 15 years before they have to be removed from circulation. And some of them—like the $1—change hands so frequently that they usually only take about 6 years of wear and tear before being “retired.”

But here’s one of the most interesting fun facts about money: the higher the value of the bill, the longer it tends to last. The $20 and $50 tend to last about 8 or 9 years, while the $100 can hold out for 15 years.

They’re made from the same material, so we’re guessing their longer lifespans are due to how they’re handled. Nobody forgets to take out $100 from their jeans before throwing it in the washing machine.

You Can See Hidden Portraits

To discourage counterfeiting, money will often have intricate designs—including faint second portraits that you only see when holding it up to the light. For example, if you look at the $100, you’ll see Benjamin Franklin peeking through the right side.

Your Money Glows

Here’s one of the more “colorful” fun facts about money! One of the most important anti-counterfeiting measures is the security thread that’s embedded into each bill.

And here’s the cool part: the threads are color-coded. If you have a UV light, you can check it out yourself. The $5 thread is blue, the $10 is orange, the $20 is green, the $50 is yellow, and the $100 is pink.

Paper Money Isn’t Really Paper

Here's one of the fun facts about money that most people don't know. While we like to call bills “paper money” they’re actually made of about 75% cotton and 25% linen, which are water-resistant and more durable.

The Biggest Bill Is Worth $10,000

Since 1969, the US’s maximum denomination has been $100. However, in the 1930s, the government actually printed Gold Certificates worth $100,000.

While considered legal tender, this gold certificate wasn’t in public use, however—it was only used for transactions between Federal Reserve banks before the age of digital transfers. However, these bills are now worth so much more among private collectors.

There’s $1.7 Trillion Out There

As of 2019, a total of $1.7 trillion worth of U.S. currency is in official circulation. That includes an estimated $1.64 trillion in Federal Reserve notes.

However, about two-thirds of the total currency is actually circulated abroad. That includes countries like Guam and Ecuador, which use US dollars as their own official currency.

 

fun facts about money

 

When You've Run Out of Money

Unfortunately, there’s one fact that we can’t escape: money can be hard to come by, and there will be moments when we run out of cash a few days before our salary.

But when that happens, there is a way to raise emergency cash even if you don’t have a high credit history. You could get payday loans Florida.

What Are Payday Loans?

Payday loans work a lot like a bridge between your pay periods at work. Basically, you borrow money when you have an emergency and cannot wait for your next paycheck. Then, you simply pay us back with your next paycheck.

With online payday loans Florida, you can borrow up to $1,000 depending on your income level and other loan criteria.

What Are The Benefits Of Online Payday Loans Florida?

When it comes to payday loans, there are a ton of benefits you need to know about. Some of those benefits include:

  • Does not require a high credit score;
  • Can be processed quickly, so you can raise emergency cash right away;
  • Minimal paperwork to complete and go over with the loan representative

What Are The Requirements Of Online Payday Loans Florida?

Another great thing about our online payday loans Florida is that we do not require you to bring in a ton of items. All you need are the following:

  • A government-issued photo ID that proves you are 18 or older;
  • Your most recent pay stub;
  • A blank check from an active checking account in your name

How Do I Apply For Online Payday Loans Florida?

Fast Payday Loans, Inc. is known for its fast, efficient, and simple application process. Just follow our guide below:

  1. Fill out the online form on the website. Wait for a loan representative from the nearest Florida location give you a call;
  2. After the call, bring your ID, your most recent pay stub, and a blank check from an active checking account in your name to that Fast Payday Loans, Inc.'s location;
  3. After verifying your required items, a representative will walk you through the final steps of the approval process, including the simple paperwork.

Once your payday loan is approved, you will receive your cash the very same day! It’s simple, convenient, and stress-free. Call us or visit our website to find out more about online payday loans Florida. Now that you know these fun facts about money, you can get a better handle on how to manage your money and fix your financial emergencies.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

June Mckaig

June Mckaig writes articles on finance and budgeting, hoping to provide insight amidst the overwhelming crowds of information on the internet. She feels that with all this accessibility comes a lot of false data, and she would like to contribute astute, helpful input that she knows can help others. If you would like to learn more about June's research, read more here.