Old Dollar Bills in Ukraine: Which Banknotes Will Not Be Accepted at Exchange Offices.

Various denominations and years of issue of dollar bills are in circulation. At the same time, the use of certain banknotes may become complicated. Not all cash of the American currency will be able to be exchanged, even if it is considered a valid means of payment.

The News.LIVE website explains which dollar bills are in circulation but are not used in payment transactions.

Large Denominations of Dollars

As of 2025, the United States issues banknotes of 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 50 dollars, and 100 dollars. They can be purchased at banks, exchange points, and on the black market. These banknotes are used to pay for goods/services, they are exchanged and spent on various needs.

At the same time, denominations that were discontinued long ago remain in circulation. The website of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing states that the Department of the Treasury, together with the Federal Reserve System, decided in 1969 to stop issuing such banknotes:

• 500 dollars;
• 1000 dollars;
• 5,000 dollars;
• 10,000 dollars.

They were last printed in 1945, but later it was decided to completely abandon their issuance due to lack of demand. Large denominations were mainly used in banking transactions, and the basis for their withdrawal from circulation was concerns about money laundering and tax evasion.

Will It Be Possible to Exchange Old Dollars?

'These banknotes are legal tender and can be found in circulation today. However, most of the bills that are still in circulation are likely in the hands of private numismatic dealers and collectors,'

— stated on the Bureau's website.

In other words, Ukrainians will not be able to buy large dollar denominations at financial institutions or exchange offices, only on the black market. Their sale is permitted since the National Bank has prohibited imposing restrictions on cash transactions issued by the Federal Reserve System since 1914.

In practice, one should be prepared for outright refusals. Exchange points often do not accept even banknotes issued from 1996 to 2006 or require additional fees from clients. Not to mention money that is over 80 years old.

What Else Should Ukrainians Know?

We remind you that Ukrainians can carry cash abroad amounting to up to 10,000 euros (in hryvnias, dollars, or other currencies). If the set limit is exceeded, a written declaration of funds must be made to avoid issues with customs officers.

We also mentioned that Ukrainians can invest 100 dollars in government domestic loan bonds. This is a safe way to preserve and multiply their funds. The yield on hryvnia OVDPs reaches nearly 20% in 2025, which is quite a lot.

Outdated dollar bills may be found in circulation, but they are already more difficult to exchange at financial institutions. Most of them are in the hands of collectors and numismatic dealers, so their sale is permitted, but it may require additional effort and may encounter refusals at exchange points. Therefore, the value and possibility of exchanging old dollar bills should be clarified before further financial transactions.