10 Useless Facts about the US Dollar

I was perusing website for the US Department of The Treasury and stumbled on the website for the US Bureau of Engraving, which I found quite interesting. Amaze you friends! Impress your banker! Become a fascinating conversationalist with these 10 Useless Facts about the United States Dollar:

1. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions.

2. Several countries use the U.S. dollar as their official currency, many others use it in a de facto capacity.

3. In 1995, over US $380 billion were in circulation, two-thirds of which was outside the United States. By 2005, that figure had doubled to nearly $760 billion, with an estimated half to two-thirds being held overseas.

4. If you had 10 billion $1 notes and spent one every second of every day, it would require 317 years for you to go broke.

5. 95% of the notes printed each year are used to replace notes already in, or taken out of circulation. During 2006, 55% of the notes printed were $1 notes.

6. Currency paper is composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton. Red and blue synthetic fibers of various lengths are distributed evenly throughout the paper. Prior to World War I the fibers were made of silk.

7. It takes appriximately 4,000 double folds (first forward and then backwards) before a US note will tear.

8. The average life span of a US note varies by denomination:
Life Span
$1 = 21 months

$5 = 16 months

$10 = 18 months

$20 = 24 months

$50 = 55 months

$100 = 89 months

9. A stack of currency one mile high would contain over 14½ million notes. I think I'll start working on trying to build that stack...

10. One million dollars in $1 bills weighs 2,040 pounds, so if you ever need to move your cash, plan on renting a U-Haul.

Happy Friday to everyone, see you tomorrow for The Saturday Seven!

-Rick Rockhill