Banknotes in Students History Class

Collectors of banknotes know that every piece of currency is a blend of a country’s culture, history and art blended with the world’s most effective anti-counterfeiting technologies. Banknote World has had a long history of supporting teachers requests to use banknotes to support their students, and lesson plans.  Recently, a teacher in New York integrated the 100 world banknote mix into a class project.  His students were asked to research the imagery on the banknotes and connect it with their assigned country. 

The student’s loved the project.  One student remarked;

“I felt like I was travelling to Bhutan.  I’ve never seen money with dragons on it.” 

Another student said, “I had never heard of Macedonia before the project… I loved learning about why peacocks are so important to their culture.” 

American students are used to US dollars which are not very colorful, so it wasn’t surprising that many student said,

“Everything was so different from American money.  There were so many colors.”

It was surprising for some student to learn that these colorful banknotes were really authentic. Teachers like Ian Weissman who led this class project, have used paper and polymer banknotes to develop creative ways to excite children about learning.

His project also helped connect generations.  One student of Honduran descent was able to research his banknote with his father who helped explain who Lempira was.  (He was a national hero from the 16^th century and after whom, the Honduran currency is named.)

Another student had known that his grandfather collected coins.  The student and her grandfather compared coins and banknotes and found they had some similar symbols and images.  The grandfather enjoyed it so much, he might start collecting banknotes.  Well it is never too late.