Rotten Dollar Bills (in Europe)

[Lars]

I just retrieved my spare US dollar bills from my bike and, erm, - I would not accept them any more. They are moist, they stink and are just so recognizable as US-Dollar bills.

I know I can exchange damaged Euro-bills against new ones here in Germany. But US-Dollar bills?

Any ideas what to do with them?

Lars

[markharf]

Don't know exactly what's wrong with your banknotes, but as an aging and forgetful person I often launder and machine-dry my US currency (forgetting to empty my pockets) and it always survives just fine. It can also be dampened and ironed. Run a trial if you like.

Hope that helps.

Mark

[mollydog]

Perhaps there are banks in the EU that would honor damaged bills?

[Lone Rider]

Some people/businesses only want to accept the lastest edition notes.
There have been some new editions over these last fews years with conterfeiting having become a greater problem.

[Lars]

Thanks guys,

I'll try to launder them. I had them (USD 20 and 10 - bills) under the number plate in a plastic bag and obviously the bag ripped at some point of my trip...

I did not exaggerate: they are almost wet, blackened (scrubbed by sand), hardly recognisable as money and they STINK - but they are not damaged so far, afaics.

Cheers

Lars

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Lars

Any ideas what to do with them?

Lars

Well, you know those bars that collect foreign banknotes by nailing, tacking or glueing them to the bar walls .........................

[stevesawol]

Lars, "Thanks guys, I'll try to launder them."

In Germany, Money laundering is a criminal offence pursuant to Section 261 of the Criminal Code, and as such carries substantial prison sentances ( sorry couldn't help myself)

[Lars]

ok, tried to launder them today (@stevesawol: good one, should have thought of that ) - but the bills are that fragile that the first one broke right away into two parts when I tried to separate them. The others also partly broke (bits kept sticking to other bills). I don't really think those bills are likely to survive laundry...

Any ideas what to do with them? (In a way they make great souvenirs, albeit expensive ones)

Lars

[baswacky]

When they are dry, laminate them and use them as bookmarks. That's what I do with any odd notes I have left over from a trip.

[phoenix]

Great idea.. now I know what to do with the various (mostly worthless) notes that I have lying around from the past few years..