The currency in the USA is the called the Dollar. American paper currency is issued in several denominations: 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 50 dollars, and 100 dollars. The coins are also of several denominations, with the most common being: 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and 1dollar.

United States Dollar Facts

Although the USA is a country where debit and credit cards are widely accepted, you will certainly need cash here – you are expected to tip everyone from taxi drivers and hotel porters to waiting and bar staff. Before your USA holiday, get some US dollars and ask for small denominations so that you’re ready to tip as soon as you arrive. Be sure to continue breaking larger denomination notes into smaller denominations so you always have one dollar notes for those small tips.

You can use your credit cards as debit card almost everywhere and keep your cash reserves for emergencies. SOTC can help you with your currency exchange before you head out for your trip and also help you get a better exchange rate.

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After Russia, Canada and China, the United States of America (USA) is the fourth largest country in the world in area. Measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the world’s greatest power is the United States with majority of its people enjoying one of the world’s highest standards of living. It impacts on the world economy as a source and as a destination for investment capital. And its imports and exports represent major proportions of the world total. 

As per the Coinage Act of 1792, the official currency of USA is called US dollar or simply dollar, United States dollar or American dollar. It is abbreviated as US$. One dollar is divided into 100 cents or 1000 mills.

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USA Currency information 

The world’s most powerful currency is the US dollar. It is the strength of the US economy which backs the dollar’s use as a global currency. In the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement, the US dollar was first designated as a global currency. The USD currency notes are made from cotton fibre paper, printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and since 1914, have been issued by the Federal Reserve. The US coins are produced by the United States Mint. 

There are 18 dollar denominations in currency bills and coins. There are 12 denominations in bills out of which seven are still being printed—$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. There are five larger denominations that are no longer being printed—$500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 and $100,000. There are six coins—penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar.

History of USA currency 

The history of the US dollar dates back more than 240 years. On April 2, 1792, the country’s standard unit of money, the United States dollar was created by United States Congress. An organised monetary system that introduced coinage in gold, silver and copper was put together by the Coinage Act of 1792. Paper notes or greenbacks were introduced into the system in 1861 to help finance the Civil War. The ‘US dollar’ refers to a definite denomination and it was initially traded as a coin worth its weight in silver or gold. After that, it was exchanged as a paper note redeemable in gold. Keeping the dollar’s value to float, the gold standard was dropped. Nowadays, it is in strong demand though its value swings.

In the dollar bill appears the Great Shield of the United States, which consists of:

• Holding 13 arrows of war in its non-dominant left talon and an olive branch for peace in its dominant right talon, the American eagle flying free.
• A new nation or a constellation in the universe is represented by 13 stars above the eagle.
• Red stands for valor, white signifies purity and blue is meant for justice.
• The banner in its beak reads "E Pluribus Unum" which means “Out of Many, One.”
• You will find 13 red and white vertical stripes. The horizontal blue band of the shield represents Congress uniting the original 13 colonies.
• On the reverse of the Great Seal stands an unfinished pyramid of 13 rows, representing strength and duration.

Best place to exchange currency in USA 

It is always better to exchange your money at the banks or departure airport before travelling to the USA.  Also there are many currency exchange outlets to offer. You might get the best available rates, accounts fees and charges inclusive. In order to avert being charged astronomically, keep a tab on the ongoing mid-market rate. You may use an online currency converter easily available on Google or can check with your own bank if it has got any tie-up with the local banks of the USA. 

Digital Transactions in USA 

Despite significant use of card and mobile payments across America in recent years, there are places where if cash not accepted, financial penalties are imposed. That means the US will not be cashless soon as it does care for the people who are digitally inept. Cash remains the king and the simplest way of transactions despite the online transfer options flooding the markets already and have witnessed a steady shift in payment practices among customers.

Tipping in USA 

If you are visiting the USA, work out on your USA tour packages and places to visit in USA. You also need to know that tipping is generally accepted here. It is the standard manner of doing things. For example, when the bill arrives, the bill is paid with an addition of either 15%, which is standard or 18–25% of the total bill depending on the quality of the services you receive. Generally, tipping less than 15% of the total spending is considered to be a bad tip. However, if you are unhappy with the services you receive then too tip but make it less than 15%. They would automatically understand that you were not happy.