Coin Non-Knowledge--Your Story?

I had a similar experience to Pennywise in several places, the most memorable was at Monticello. Jefferson's home in Virginia gives out crisp, new $2 bills in change and is, according to what I have read, the largest user of the least-used denomination of US currency. I used a $20 bill to buy a bottle of water and got 9 $2 bills back in change.

I am sure the local coffee shops and McDonalds are used to seeing them.

At the several gift shops and restaurant I overheard several other customers say "Can I use these back home?" or "Can I have real money instead please?". One guy told his daughter "These are just like the Disney Dollars we got last year."

The clerks all had a standard refrain that went something like "Yes, these are real US currency, you can use them anywhere."

As an aside, all of the gift shops also had various vintage coins for sale like large cents and other coins used during Jefferson's life. They also had nickel sets for sale. The nearby Montpelier, home of James Madison, also had a selection of old coins for sale in the smaller gift shop.

Way to spark interest in the hobby!