Help! I need advice abiut US dollars

[gadjo_dilo]

Well guys I have a cousin in Greece who used to be so nice to send me every year with the traditional Christmas greetings card a banknote of 5, 10, 20 or 50 dollars. There are about 300 dollars in all and I didn't spend them, just kept them for black days.
These days a friend is going abroad and bought some dollars. I was surprised to see that the usual " greens" ( as we used to call them when it was illegal to own foreign currency ) have a new design and have different colours.

My question is if the old money I got ( series before 1999 ) are still in use. Otherwise I must exchange them to a bank but it means I may lose a part of them.

[tannat]

Well guys I have a cousin in Greece who used to be so nice to send me every year with the traditional Christmas greetings card a banknote of 5, 10, 20 or 50 dollars. There are about 300 dollars in all and I didn't spend them, just kept them for black days.
These days a friend is going abroad and bought some dollars. I was surprised to see that the usual " greens" ( as we used to call them when it was illegal to own foreign currency ) have a new design and have different colours.

My question is if the old money I got ( series before 1999 ) are still in use. Otherwise I must exchange them to a bank but it means I may lose a part of them.

Old money is still very spendable here in the US...

Enjoy spending it

[gadjo_dilo]

Thanks, that's what I've also heard but I also heard that out exchange houses refuse them.

[anthonyvop]

Thanks, that's what I've also heard but I also heard that out exchange houses refuse them.

All US currency is good no matter what the age. If an exchange house doesn't accept the then go to another one or try a bank.

[gadjo_dilo]

So they look different but they're all good. I guess I'd have trouble to handle them if I live there. Or maybe you pay mainly by card....

I remember that some years ago I've read that the banknote of 20 changed the design and I was desperate to change them. I finally made it but paid 10%. Now they've changed again....

[Mark]

In the UK when a note changes the old ones are spendable for a while but then cease to be legal tender. Just like the twenty recently. You can get them changed at banks however.

[Dave B]

In the UK when a note changes the old ones are spendable for a while but then cease to be legal tender. Just like the twenty recently. You can get them changed at banks however.

I've got images in my head from Peep Show now. Thanks.

Ewww, Elgar.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Heck...if she had Canadian dollars...she really would be asking questions. They have changed a few of our bills a few times in the last 2 decades adding new anti counterfeiting countermeasures...

[Easy Drifter]

And what were our $1 and $2 dollar bills are now coins.

[Rollo]

All US currency is good no matter what the age. If an exchange house doesn't accept the then go to another one or try a bank.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin ... &TYPE=TEXT
United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes
and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are
legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. Foreign
gold or silver coins are not legal tender for debts.

Not only is all US Currency legal under the Coinage Act of 1965 but (and I forget where it is in the Act) that Demonitization is also illegal under the Act.
Even in my short time in the US, I've seen Lincoln Wheat cents which stopped production in 1958.

I bet that if you tried to use a 3c coin or even a gold $20 coin, people would look at you funny. As it was I had difficulty getting a shop to accept a $2 bill when I wanted to pay for a candy bar once.