Pennies Were First Used Back When A Penny Was Worth Something, By Golly (Cool Weird Awesome 960)

Today in 1793, the U.S. Mint issued its first circulating coins, which were one-cent pieces. Here's a little bit about how we got the penny and some of its most memorable designs.

By |2023-03-01T08:59:07-05:00March 1, 2023|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Tenino, Washington, The Town That Makes Its Own Money Out Of Wood (Cool Weird Awesome 817)

Digital currencies are having a rough 2022, but one alternative currency has been doing pretty well for itself lately. That’s the wooden money made in Tenino, Washington.

By |2022-07-25T09:22:36-04:00July 25, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

How Did U.S. Dollars Get Their Name? (Cool Weird Awesome 804)

Today in 1785, the US Congress decided that the name of our country’s currency would be the dollar. Getting to that point was kind of a trek.

At The Arkansas State Capitol, They Let Visitors Hold Actual Taxpayer Dollars (Cool Weird Awesome 746)

Today is April Fool’s Day, but it's also it’s the first day of Financial Awareness Month. So be aware that at the Arkansas State Capitol, you can hold the state’s money in your hands.

By |2022-04-01T08:02:03-04:00April 1, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , |

Ben Franklin vs Counterfeiters (Cool Weird Awesome 218)

Benjamin Franklin was a lot of things, but he always saw himself as a printer - and some of what he printed was currency for American colonies. Turns out he had some pretty creative ways to try to keep counterfeiters from copying his bills. Plus: New Orleans is hosting the Samantha Fish Cigar Box Guitar Festival this weekend.

By |2022-02-14T09:04:49-05:00January 17, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Sure, I’m Petty, Just Not Paypal-Petty (Cool Weird Awesome 42)

A group of researchers has been looking at the science behind digital pettiness - that’s like if you go out to eat with somebody and then use Paypal or Venmo to send them the exact amount of money to cover your order, down to the penny.

By |2021-07-02T10:10:18-04:00May 17, 2019|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Australia’s Biggest Little Spelling Error (Cool Weird Awesome 38)

Australians have been laughing, cursing, sighing and facepalming over a misspelled word on the newest printing of the Australian $50 dollar note.

By |2020-01-17T10:29:03-05:00May 13, 2019|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |
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