Exploring 20 Intriguing Facts About Money

From ancient times to modern-day transactions, money has played a pivotal role in human societies. Here are 20 captivating facts about money that shed light on its diverse history and global impact.

In ancient times, various items such as pearls, shells, livestock, grain, fish, fur, and other valuables served as forms of currency.

The symbol $, representing the dollar sign, originated long before the American currency itself and even before the United States. It evolved from the letters Ps, an abbreviation for the Mexican peso, which was widely used in the U.S. before its own currency was established.

Banknotes are hotbeds of microbial activity. According to researchers, 94% of the world's money is contaminated with bacteria. A study by Oxford University found over 180,000 bacteria on a 100 yuan note, making it one of the dirtiest. In contrast, the euro was relatively cleaner with around 11,000 bacteria.

The average lifespan of paper banknotes ranges from 3 to 5 years.

Before becoming completely unusable, a banknote typically passes through the hands of 30,000 to 50,000 people. Interestingly, smaller denomination notes tend to wear out faster.

One million American dollars in $100 bills weighs approximately 10 kilograms.

Rare archaeological finds like ancient Greek decadrachms are considered among the most valuable currencies. Decadrachms were minted in Athens, Syracuse, and Akragas, as well as during the time of Alexander the Great (336-323 BCE).

It is illegal in the United States to depict living persons on currency.

Ancient Rome was the first state to start minting round coins on an industrial scale.

The first paper money appeared in the Chinese Empire during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE), but initially, it was issued privately. State-sponsored money issuance began in the subsequent Song Dynasty (970 – 1278 CE).

Every dollar bill features portraits of former presidents except for the most popular one – the $100 bill. Benjamin Franklin was never a President of the United States.

There is 30 times more money in the board game "Monopoly" than in actual U.S. dollars.

At first glance, the euro banknotes and Azerbaijani manat banknotes from 2005 can be easily confused. This is because both were designed by the same person, Austrian designer Robert Kalina.

Currently, there are 159 official currencies in use worldwide.

The first ATM was patented in 1966. Scottish engineer James Goodfellow invented the PIN code for customer identification. Initially, the PIN code was six digits long, but Goodfellow's wife could only remember four digits, prompting him to shorten it.

Approximately $4.3 billion USD is lost annually from various money storage places like pockets and wallets.

The British pound sterling is the world's oldest currency still in use, dating back to the 8th century CE.

From 1821 to 1825, the Russian-American Company, which governed Alaska at the time, issued 10,000 banknotes printed on sealskin. Today, there are approximately 40 surviving sealskin banknotes.

Since 2001, the Bahamas has circulated a half-dollar banknote that is highly sought after by numismatists.

While the exact origins are uncertain, many specialists believe the word "money" derived from the Turkic term for coins, "tenge." Additionally, the term "kopeck" got its name during the reign of Ivan the Terrible when coins depicting a rider with a spear were minted.

These facts highlight the rich and varied history of money across different cultures and time periods, offering insights into its evolution and significance in human society.