Weird and wonderful currencies from around the world
They say that cash will be dead within a decade, and with credit cards being accepted almost everywhere these days, you can see why. So it’s important to celebrate the weird and wonderful world of bank notes now before they are removed from circulation. The good news is that you won’t have to stand in line or pay exorbitant fees to change currency when moving from country to country. But we will miss these five crazy notes.
1. Swiss Franc – CHF 50
The Swiss aren’t really known as being odd or weird, but this note is the exception. It features a portrait of artist Sophie Taeuber-Arp, who is the only woman to make it onto Swiss currency. But this isn’t the interesting part. The portrait on the back of the note is one that Taueber-Arp actually did herself way back when – so it’s the only selfie to make it onto a bank note that we have seen.
2. Zimbabwe Dollar – $100,000,000,000
Zimbabwe has seen many financial issues over the years. But the hyperinflation in the late 2000s that led the currency to failure saw the government issue a $100 trillion note. The note itself was worth just $300 U.S. at its peak.
3. Zaire – 20,000 Zaires
Another African nation with money troubles, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) physically removed the face on their 20,000 Zaire notes. Former leader Joseph Mobuto was taken off the notes after the coup in 1997 that brought his government down.
4. Cook Islands Dollar – $10
On a lighter note, here’s a country that is celebrating the female body. By showing a topless woman riding on a shark. That’s right, the Cook Islands $10 note is one of a kind.
5. U.S. Dollar – $100
Not exactly known for their dazzling displays of artistry on their notes, but the latest U.S. $100 bill from 2009 is a bit of a random one that’s for sure. There’s a bizarre looking security feature that looks like a honey pot. There’s the numbers ‘1000’ written on the note, which just doesn’t look like it belongs there. Some might even say it’s kind of ugly money.
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