Novelty and Souvenir Bills
(Including Foil Bills, Gold Bills, and Commemorative Notes)
1. What They Are
Novelty and souvenir bills are items designed to resemble paper currency but are produced strictly for decorative, commemorative, promotional, or collectible purposes. They are not money.
They include:
- Foil bills (gold or silver colored)
- Replica U.S. bills
- Political or religious themed notes
- Tourist souvenir currency
- Fantasy or prop money
- “Million-dollar” or “billion-dollar” bills
They are sometimes called:
- Fantasy notes
- Replica notes
- Prop money
- Play money
- Commemorative currency
2. How They Differ From Real Currency
| Feature | Real U.S. Money | Novelty / Souvenir Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Legal tender | Yes | No |
| Backed by the government | Yes | No |
| Can be spent | Yes | Illegal to spend |
| Material | Cotton-linen paper | Foil, plastic, glossy paper |
| Printing | Intaglio, microprint, security threads | Standard printing |
| Purpose | Commerce | Decoration, gifts, promotion |
Novelty bills are designed to look impressive, not authentic.
3. U.S. Legal Framework
In the United States, novelty bills are regulated under 18 U.S.C. § 504 (counterfeiting law).
They are legal if they meet one or more of the following:
- Printed larger or smaller than real money
- Printed on non-paper materials (foil, plastic, etc.)
- Have major design differences
- Clearly marked “NOT LEGAL TENDER.”
They become illegal if:
- They closely resemble real currency in size, color, and detail
- Both sides are printed in a realistic way
- They could reasonably be mistaken for real money
Foil bills are legal because:
- They use metallic foil
- They are reflective
- They do not feel like currency paper
4. Why They Are Sold
Novelty bills are marketed as:
- Gifts
- Political or religious memorabilia
- Souvenirs
- Promotional giveaways
- Wallet keepsakes
- Fundraising items
They are especially common at:
- Political rallies
- Tourist attractions
- Online marketplaces
- Churches and ministries
- Trade shows
5. Are They Worth Anything?
Almost all novelty bills are mass-produced.
Typical resale value:
- $1 to $10
- Rare themed issues may reach $20–$50
- They are not investments
- They do not contain gold or silver
They are worth only what a collector or fan is willing to pay.
6. How to Tell If One Is Novelty
A bill is a novelty if it:
- Shines or reflects like metal
- Feels plasticky or slick
- Has religious or political slogans
- Says “commemorative,” “tribute,” or “souvenir.”
- Is gold or silver colored
- Lacks security features (watermark, security thread, microprint)
