How many US dollars exist in the world?
How many US dollars exist in the world?
Table of Content
Discontinued and Uncommon U.S. Currency Denominations

Since the 1980s, the demand for U.S. currency has grown at a steady pace. Growth in the value of the currency in circulation is driven largely by high denomination notes ($50 and $100).

Thefirst silver dollars were issued in 1794 after the adoption of the “Coinage Act”, the decree that established the first American national mint and set the dollara as reference unit for the whole country.

As regards the national banking system, the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 established a central bank to help follow the rhythm of changes in the country’s financial need. The Federal Reserve Board created a new currency called Federal Reserve Notes. The first federal note was for ten dollars, created in 1914. Later, the Federal Reserve Board decided to lower the money manufacturing costs by reducing the official size of notes by 30%.

The design of notes would not change again until 1996, when a new series of improvements were introduced over a period of ten years to prevent counterfeiting.

Countries Using US Dollar

Although dollars are used commonly in many countries, the US dollar is really legal tender in only eight countries. These countries are: The United States of America, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, East Timor and Zimbabwe.

How Many Kinds of United States Currency?

Photo: cgtn
Photo: cgtn

The United States issues paper currency and coins to pay for purchases, taxes, and debts.

1. Paper Money

Denominations

American paper currency come in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. But they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation. All U.S. currency issued since 1861 is valid and redeemable at its full face value.

Design and Security Features of Paper Money

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) manufactures paper money. It also redesigns money, with new appearances and enhanced security features. BEP includes security features to prevent counterfeiting. Purchase commemorative or bulk versions of American currency through the Bureau's Money Store.

2. Coins

The United States issues several denominations, with the most common being: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1. The U.S. Mint manufactures and circulates coins to pay for goods and services. It also issues collectible and commemorative coins for sale. These coins honor a person, place, or event.

3. Mutilated Money

If you have paper money that is extremely damaged, you can redeem it with the BEP. Examples of damaged paper money include:

  • Bills that are less than one-half of the bill
  • Bills in such a condition that you're unable to tell the denomination.

Current US dollar Coins and Banknotes

There are currently five different denominations of the US Dollar, which have been nicknamed:

  • One cent: a penny.
  • Five cents: a nickel.
  • Ten cents: a dime.
  • Twenty five cents: quarter.
  • Fifty cents: half dollar.

How many US money Exists in Circulation in 2022?

The most recent reports by the Federal Reserve suggest that the M0 supply stream equaled 5,885.2 billion. The amount of money circulating in the US has decreased from a recent peak of 6,413.1 billion in December 2021. This is likely due to the fact that we increasingly rely more on digital assets for transactions.

The volume of currency in circulation, in billions of notes as of December 31 each year.

$1 $2 $5 $10 $20 $50 $100 $500 to $10,000 TOTAL
2020 13.1 1.4 3.4 2.3 11.7 2.3 16.4 0.0004 50.3
2019 12.7 1.3 3.2 2.1 9.5 1.8 14.2 0.0004 44.9
2018 12.4 1.3 3.1 2.0 9.4 1.8 13.4 0.0004 43.4
2017 12.1 1.2 3.0 2.0 9.2 1.7 12.5 0.0004 41.6
2016 11.7 1.2 2.8 1.9 8.9 1.7 11.5 0.0004 39.8
2015 11.4 1.1 2.7 1.9 8.6 1.6 10.8 0.0005 38.1
2014 11.0 1.1 2.6 1.9 8.1 1.5 10.1 0.0005 36.4
2013 10.6 1.0 2.5 1.8 7.7 1.5 9.2 0.0005 34.5
2012 10.3 1.0 2.4 1.8 7.4 1.5 8.6 0.0005 33.0
2011 10.0 0.9 2.4 1.7 7.1 1.4 7.8 0.0005 31.3
2010 9.7 0.9 2.3 1.7 6.5 1.3 7.0 0.0005 29.5
2009 9.6 0.9 2.2 1.6 6.4 1.3 6.6 0.0005 28.5
2008 9.5 0.8 2.2 1.6 6.3 1.3 6.3 0.0005 27.9
2007 9.3 0.8 2.2 1.6 6.1 1.3 5.7 0.0005 26.9
2006 9.0 0.8 2.1 1.6 6.0 1.3 5.6 0.0005 26.4
2005 8.8 0.7 2.1 1.6 5.8 1.2 5.4 0.0005 25.6
2004 8.3 0.7 2.0 1.5 5.4 1.2 5.2 0.0005 24.2
2003 8.2 0.7 1.9 1.5 5.4 1.2 4.9 0.0005 23.8
2002 8.0 0.7 1.9 1.5 5.2 1.2 4.6 0.0005 22.9
2001 7.8 0.6 1.8 1.5 5.0 1.1 4.2 0.0005 22.1
2000 7.7 0.6 1.8 1.5 4.9 1.1 3.8 0.0005 21.3
1999 7.5 0.6 1.8 1.6 5.8 1.3 3.9 0.0005 22.5
1998 7.0 0.6 1.6 1.4 4.5 1.0 3.2 0.0005 19.3
1997 6.7 0.6 1.6 1.4 4.4 1.0 2.9 0.0005 18.6

What Is the Most Common Denomination of U.S. Currency?

Highlighting a significant change in how we save and store money, in 2020, the number of $100 bills overtook the $1 bill in circulating volume. The $100 bill now makes up for the biggest number of dollars in circulation when looking specifically at printed money.

Discontinued and Uncommon U.S. Currency Denominations

Photo: investopedia
Photo: investopedia

♦ $2 Bill

The first $2 bills were printed in 1862. They originally featured a portrait of Alexander Hamilton but were later redesigned to portray Thomas Jefferson. Aesthetically, the $2 bill is something to behold. The reverse side features a reproduction of one of the most famous paintings in American history—"Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull.

The last series of $2 bills were printed in 2017. Today, there are around 1.4 billion notes in circulation.

♦ $500 Bill

The Treasury minted several versions of the $500 bill, featuring a portrait of President William McKinley on the front. The last $500 bill rolled off the presses in 1945, and it was formally discontinued 24 years later in 1969.

♦ $1,000 Bill

The original $1,000 bill featured Alexander Hamilton on the front. When someone presumably realized that it might be confusing to have the same former Secretary of the Treasury on multiple denominations, Hamilton's portrait was replaced with that of a president—the 22nd and the 24th, Grover Cleveland. Like its smaller cousin, the $500 bill, the $1,000 bill was discontinued in 1969.

♦ $5,000 Bill

The $5,000 bill was initially issued to finance the Revolutionary War and was only officially printed by the government when the Civil War began. The bill was graced with a portrait of James Madison. President Richard Nixon ordered that the bills be recalled in 1969 due to fear of criminals using them for money laundering activities.

Finding a $5,000 bill today takes pluck, luck, and significantly more than $5,000.

♦ $10,000 Bill

The largest denomination ever printed for public consumption, the $10,000 bill never got much use. This lack of use is understandable, given that its value outstripped the net worth of the average American during most of the time the bill was available. The bill was first printed in 1918 and was part of the 1969 purge of large currencies.4 Like its $5,000 counterpart, only a few hundred authenticated samples survive.

♦ $100,000 Bill

Featuring a portrait of Woodrow Wilson, the $100,000 note was actually a gold certificate that was never circulated or issued for public use. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing created them during the Great Depression in 1934, for conducting official transactions between Federal Reserve banks.

Conclusion

Demand for U.S. currency continues to grow with eighty-nine percent of American consumers holding cash to some extent. Demand for currency continues to grow domestically and internationally, reflecting U.S. currency’s widespread use and its essential function as a means of payment and store of value.

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