About the United States Dollar
The United States Dollar was established by the Coinage Act of 1792. It has been the world's primary reserve currency since the mid-20th century.
The name 'Dollar' is derived from the German 'Thaler', a silver coin widely circulated in Europe.
Interesting Facts
The World's Reserve Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the world's dominant reserve currency, held by central banks and financial institutions globally, and is widely used in international trade and finance.
In God We Trust
The phrase 'In God We Trust' appears on all U.S. currency. It was added to coins in 1864 and to paper currency starting in the mid-1950s.
Greenbacks
U.S. banknotes are commonly referred to as 'greenbacks' due to their distinctive green ink, a color originally chosen for its durability and resistance to counterfeiting.
Historical Timeline
The Continental Congress adopts the dollar as the monetary unit of the United States.
The Coinage Act establishes the U.S. Mint and a bimetallic standard for the dollar.
The Federal Reserve System is created.
The Bretton Woods Agreement pegs major world currencies to the U.S. Dollar.
The U.S. abandons the gold standard, and the dollar becomes a free-floating currency.
Denominations
Banknotes
Coins
Security Features
Quick Facts
- ISO Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
- Numeric Code
- 840
- Subunit
- Cent (1/100)
- Introduced
- 1792-04-02
Central Bank
- Name
- Federal Reserve System
- Headquarters
- Washington D.C., USA
- Founded
- 1913
- Current Governor
- Jerome Powell (Chair) (since 2018)
Economic Data
- Reserve Currency Share
- 58.8%
- Forex Volume Share
- 88.3%
- Inflation Rate
- 3.3%
- Interest Rate
- 5.50%
Exchange Rates
Used In
What Affects the USD Exchange Rate?
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