6 Discontinued and Uncommon US Currency Denominations

It's time to brush up on your knowledge of discontinued and uncommon US currency denominations! In this post, we'll introduce you to six more obscure denominations that are no longer in circulation and provide a brief history of each. So, get ready to learn something new - and maybe pick up a few dollars along the way.

Discontinued And Uncommon Coin Denominations In the US

Several obsolete and discontinued US coin denominations are worth money to collectors. Here are some of the most common ones:

1 cent coin

This coin was discontinued in 1959 due to its high production cost, which exceeded its face value. Despite being worth only one cent, it holds significant value for collectors due to its rarity, making it an attractive investment.

2 cent coin

This coin was discontinued in 1982 due to rising production costs and inflation, which significantly reduced its value.

5 cent coin

The 5-cent coin is worth about a quarter on average. It was discontinued in 1965, and very few are left in circulation.

10 cent coin

This coin was discontinued in 1969 due to a decline in its usage and increasing production costs.

The reasons for discontinuing these coins were primarily due to cost and declining usage. As the cost of producing these coins exceeded their face value, it became impractical to continue their production. Additionally, with the increasing use of paper currency, the need for these coins diminished.

In terms of the value of these coins, they hold significant worth for collectors due to their rarity and historical significance. However, their actual value varies depending on their condition and other factors such as demand from collectors.

Discontinued And Uncommon Banknotes In The US

In the early days of America, the currency was incredibly diverse. Bills ranged from $1 to $10,000. Today, we only have bills in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Why did the US government switch to this limited number of denominations? Part of it has to do with security concerns. It's much harder to counterfeit a bill more significant than a dollar. Additionally, it's easier for people to remember and use smaller denominations.

If you've ever given a bill that is not in one of the standard denominations, don't worry! You can always take it to a bank or financial institution and exchange it for one of the usual bills.

Now, look at six discontinued and uncommon banknotes in the US.

$2 Bill 

While not officially discontinued and still regarded as a legal tender by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the $2 bill is extremely rare. The last batch of $2 bills came out in 2017. It is estimated that some 1.4 billion notes are still in circulation. The first $2 bill debuted in 1862. It had a picture of Alexander Hamilton on it. Later, it was changed to Thomas Jefferson's. 

To learn more about the history of the $2 bill, you can check out this article on the website of the US Department of the Treasury.

$500 Bill

The $500 bill was officially discontinued in 1969, while the last batch of it came out in 1945. During its run, it saw many redesigns and different versions. President William McKinley's portrait on the front remained on all of them.

Today, it is regarded as a collector's item and fetches a far higher price than its original value. Although it is still a legal tender, nobody uses it for transactional purposes. It is considered an antique, which is why people still have an interest in it.

To learn more about the history of the $500 bill, check out this article on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

$1,000 Bill

It featured the portrait of the Secretary of Treasury on the front. The government changed it because, at that time, there were far too bills with Secretary Treasury's picture. It was discontinued around the same time when US$500 was discontinued.

$5,000 Bill

The US$5,000 bill had a successful run, but in 1969 they were discontinued by the orders of President Richard Nixon. The government feared that they could be used for money laundering. The reason behind its issuance was the Revolutionary War. Maybe the government thought that the note outlived its utility after the war ended and did away with them.

$10,000 Bill

It was introduced in 1918. It was meant to be a homage to Mr. Salmon p. Chase, an astute and upright man. He was a Senator from Ohio and also served as its Governor. He also became the Secretory Treasury during Lincoln's tenure. Later, he became the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The US$10,000 was a recognition of his services to the nation. The US$10,000 was just a way to immortalize his noble deeds.

Like many other denominations, the $10,000 note also saw a curtain dropping on it in 1969. It was part of the Currency Purge of 1969.

$100,000 Bill

This bill was never meant for public consumption. It was a gold certificate and used in inter-bank transactions. It featured the portrait of President Woodrow Wilson and was created in 1934 amid the Great Depression.

Since it was not meant for the public, you won't find them even in collectors' collections. Only some museums and the Federal Reserve System had them, and they showed them to the general public for educational purposes.

Other types of Rare US Currency

Rare US currency is a term that refers to any currency that is not typically found in circulation. These coins and bills are usually precious, and you will likely not find them in your everyday wallet.

There are several types of rare US currency, each with its unique features and history. Some of the most common types of rare US currency are commemorative coins and bills. These coins and bills commemorate important events or people in American history and can be very difficult to find in circulation.

Other types of rare US currency include silver certificates and gold certificates. These coins and bills are made out of silver or gold, respectively, and they are often worth more than regular currency because they are rarer.

If you're interested in collecting rare US currency, be sure to do your research before you buy anything! There are a lot of rare coins and bills out there that are worth a lot of money, so it's important to know what you're looking for before you make a purchase.

Conclusion

That is all about 6 discontinued and uncommon denominations of the US Dollar. We hope you find it helpful, informative, and educational. Currencies keep changing their form, value, and design for multiple reasons. The US Dollar is no exception, as seen in this article. We hope you will find it helpful.

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