Public Statement on the validity of older and worn U.S. currency
U.S. Embassy Harare
Public Affairs Section
Public Statement: Validity of older and worn U.S. notes
February 19, 2009
The U.S. Embassy has in the last two months received numerous enquiries from members of the Zimbabwean public on the validity of older series of U.S. notes as well as mutilated or worn U.S. notes. The Embassy does not issue new banknotes in exchange for old and/or mutilated currency.
Members of the public are advised that older series of U.S. currency remain legal tender in the United States and elsewhere. U.S. bank notes do not expire.
Similarly, any badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn, worn-out currency note that is clearly more than one-half of the original note, and does not require special examination to determine its value, is legal tender. However, the decision on whether to accept, or not, any bill is up to the bank, business or individual.
Individuals with questions or concerns about detecting fraudulent currency can contact the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Eastgate, Harare.
Issued by Tim Gerhardson, Public Affairs Officer
Website: http://harare.usembassy.gov