U.S. "paper" money is actually 75% cotton and 25% linen.
U.S. "paper" money is actually 75% cotton and 25% linen.
Cabbage. Scratch. Dough. Americans have used many creative nicknames for dollar bills over the past two centuries, though one of the more technical terms — “paper money’' — could be considered just as misleading. Turns out, U.S. dollars are made not from paper, but instead from a fiber blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This water-resistant, durable material can hold up to far more wear and tear than actual wood-pulp paper could. While a dollar can be torn with intentional force, it would take an estimated 4,000 repetitive folds in the same spot to cause a tear. American dollars also include red and blue synthetic fibers, which are woven into the material and included to make counterfeiting more difficult.
Despite its strength, no dollar bill lasts forever. The Federal Reserve generally allows cash to continue circulating regardless of age, so long as it’s in great shape — free from tears, holes, and writing, and still legible. However, all bills have an expected life span based on denomination. Smaller bills typically see more frequent use and wear out faster, with $5 bills having the shortest life at just 4.7 years and $1 notes lasting around 6.6 years. After being removed from circulation, threadbare bills are shredded and move on to a new purpose: 90% of destroyed dollars are used to make potting soil, compost, and construction materials like cement.
dtucker300 wrote:
U.S. "paper" money is actually 75% cotton and 25% linen.
Cabbage. Scratch. Dough. Americans have used many creative nicknames for dollar bills over the past two centuries, though one of the more technical terms — “paper money’' — could be considered just as misleading. Turns out, U.S. dollars are made not from paper, but instead from a fiber blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This water-resistant, durable material can hold up to far more wear and tear than actual wood-pulp paper could. While a dollar can be torn with intentional force, it would take an estimated 4,000 repetitive folds in the same spot to cause a tear. American dollars also include red and blue synthetic fibers, which are woven into the material and included to make counterfeiting more difficult.
Despite its strength, no dollar bill lasts forever. The Federal Reserve generally allows cash to continue circulating regardless of age, so long as it’s in great shape — free from tears, holes, and writing, and still legible. However, all bills have an expected life span based on denomination. Smaller bills typically see more frequent use and wear out faster, with $5 bills having the shortest life at just 4.7 years and $1 notes lasting around 6.6 years. After being removed from circulation, threadbare bills are shredded and move on to a new purpose: 90% of destroyed dollars are used to make potting soil, compost, and construction materials like cement.
U.S. "paper" money is actually 75% cotto... (
show quote)
That’s why it’s hard to counterfeit it’s hard to find the right paper
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.