Collectors

• Some individuals keep older coins and/or paper currency for the historical significance of the coin (i.e. confederate money) or the value that coin collectors associate with the coin due to its rarity (i.e. 1943 copper penny).
  
  

Damaged Currency

• Older currency that is damaged as a result of a fire or other accident may be discarded if it is difficult to determine if the bill was legal currency or not.
  
  

Saved Currency

• Some individuals deposit older coins and/or paper currency into a bank account. The bank then either keeps the currency or removes the currency from circulation and returns it to the Federal Reserve Bank.
  
  

Redeemed Currency

• Old paper currency that is damaged may be returned to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing where they will inspect the bill, issue a check (if necessary), and use a large paper shredder to destroy it.
  
  

Reused Currency

• Older currency can typically be used in the same way as new currency (even if it damaged), as long as at least 51 percent of the bill remains.