The use of money as a form of currency and exchange has been a part of human civilizations since around 10,000 BCE. Generally, gold or silver coins that hold intrinsic value are used.

It was on this day, July 6th, in 1785 that the dollar was chosen as the United States’ monetary unit.

Although it does not all look alike, the dollar is also the official currency or banknote for Australia, Belize, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan. There is currently no set legal definition for the term “dollar” in U.S. statute, and specific percentages of the amount or type of metal in U.S. coins are not stable across years.