Have you ever been at a party that was getting a little dull, and suddenly someone suggests a trivia game? I’ve seen it happen countless times – the energy in the room completely transforms! Money trivia is particularly fascinating because, let’s face it, we all deal with money every day but probably don’t know half as much about it as we think we do.
I’ve put together this collection of 100+ money trivia questions that cover everything from currency facts to financial history. Last month, I used some of these questions during a family game night, and even my teenage nephew (who usually can’t be separated from his phone) got totally into it!
Money makes the world go round, they say, and these trivia questions will take you on a journey through the fascinating world of finance, currency, and wealth. From ancient bartering systems to cryptocurrency, from penny-pinching facts to billion-dollar fortunes, this collection has something for everyone.
General Money Facts
Let’s start with some general knowledge about money that might surprise you. I was genuinely shocked when I learned some of these facts myself!
- What is the average lifespan of a $1 bill in circulation?
Answer: About 6.6 years - What was used as currency in prisons before cigarettes became common?
Answer: Postage stamps - Which animal appears on the back of a U.S. $10 bill?
Answer: None (it shows the U.S. Treasury Building) - What color is the 500 Euro note?
Answer: Purple - How much does it cost to produce a U.S. $1 bill?
Answer: About 5.6 cents - What percentage of U.S. paper currency has traces of cocaine?
Answer: Approximately 90% - Which is the only non-rectangular currency in the world?
Answer: Tongan Pa’anga coins (some are square, scalloped, or dodecagonal) - What’s the largest denomination of U.S. currency ever printed for public use?
Answer: $10,000 bill - What element is U.S. pennies primarily made of since 1982?
Answer: Zinc (copper-plated) - Which founding father’s portrait appears on the $100 bill?
Answer: Benjamin Franklin - What is the best-selling board game of all time that uses play money?
Answer: Monopoly - What country invented paper money?
Answer: China - What is the term for defacing currency by drawing or writing on it?
Answer: Currency mutilation - Which U.S. coin was the first to feature a real person rather than an allegorical figure?
Answer: The Lincoln penny (1909) - What is the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency?
Answer: Bitcoin - What was the first credit card?
Answer: Diners Club - What year was the Euro introduced as a currency?
Answer: 1999 (physically circulated in 2002) - What is the most counterfeited currency in the world?
Answer: The U.S. dollar - What is the “Royal Mint”?
Answer: The organization that produces coins for the United Kingdom - What is the maximum amount the U.S. Mint will reimburse you if you send them damaged money?
Answer: The face value of the currency if more than 50% is identifiable
If you enjoyed testing your knowledge about general money facts, you’ll also love exploring interesting topics to talk about with friends and family.
Currency Around the World
Money looks and works differently depending on where you are in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a few different countries, and examining the local currency is always one of my favorite parts of arriving somewhere new!
- What country’s currency is called the “Baht”?
Answer: Thailand - Which country uses the “Peso” as currency in South America?
Answer: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and others - What is the currency of Japan?
Answer: Yen - The Swiss Franc is the currency of Switzerland and which other country?
Answer: Liechtenstein - What is unique about Australian banknotes?
Answer: They are made of polymer (plastic) rather than paper - What is the currency of India?
Answer: Indian Rupee - Which European country still uses the Koruna as its currency?
Answer: Czech Republic - What is the currency of South Africa?
Answer: Rand - What country has the smallest coin in circulation (the 1 cent piece)?
Answer: Singapore - Which currency symbol is this: ₩?
Answer: Korean Won - What is the currency of Brazil?
Answer: Brazilian Real - Which country’s currency is called the “Krone”?
Answer: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland (they all use variations of the “Krone”) - What country uses the Shekel as its currency?
Answer: Israel - What is the currency of Russia?
Answer: Russian Ruble - The Euro is used by how many countries?
Answer: 20 countries (as of 2023) - What is the currency of Egypt?
Answer: Egyptian Pound - Which African country uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency?
Answer: Zimbabwe (since 2009) - What is the official currency of New Zealand?
Answer: New Zealand Dollar - Which currency has a nickname that translates to “little frog”?
Answer: Swedish Krona (nicknamed “groda”) - Which country’s currency features a hole in the middle of some coins?
Answer: China (Some denominations of the Yuan)
Curious about other fascinating topics? Check out our collection of deep topics to talk about that can spark meaningful conversations at your next gathering.
Financial History
The history of money is really the history of human civilization in many ways. I find it fascinating how our financial systems have evolved over thousands of years!
- What commodity was used as currency in Colonial Virginia?
Answer: Tobacco - In what year was the Federal Reserve System established?
Answer: 1913 - The Great Depression began after what famous stock market crash?
Answer: The Wall Street Crash of 1929 - What was the first credit card to be accepted nationally in the United States?
Answer: BankAmericard (later renamed Visa) - What year was the Euro first introduced as physical currency?
Answer: 2002 - What was the name of the system that tied the value of currency to gold?
Answer: The Gold Standard - When did the United States officially abandon the Gold Standard?
Answer: 1971 - What financial crisis began in 2007-2008 due to the housing market collapse?
Answer: The Great Recession - Who is considered the father of modern economics?
Answer: Adam Smith - What early form of banking originated in medieval Italy?
Answer: The Medici Bank - When was the New York Stock Exchange founded?
Answer: 1792 - What was the first country to use paper money?
Answer: China (during the Tang Dynasty, around 7th century) - What ancient civilization used cocoa beans as currency?
Answer: The Aztecs - When was the first ATM installed?
Answer: 1967 (in London) - What was “Black Monday”?
Answer: October 19, 1987, when stock markets around the world crashed - What is the oldest continuously operating bank in the world?
Answer: Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (founded in 1472 in Italy) - What was the largest denomination of currency ever officially printed?
Answer: The 100 trillion dollar note (Zimbabwe) - What major economic theory was proposed by John Maynard Keynes?
Answer: Keynesian Economics - What was the first cryptocurrency?
Answer: Bitcoin (created in 2009) - What system replaced bartering in ancient civilizations?
Answer: Commodity money (using valuable items like shells or metals)
For those who enjoy thought-provoking discussions about history and society, our collection of philosophical questions offers plenty of material to ponder.
Money in Pop Culture
Money has always fascinated us, so it’s no wonder it plays such a big role in our movies, TV shows, and songs. Some of these questions had me running to Google to double-check the answers!
- In the movie “Jerry Maguire,” what famous money-related line does Tom Cruise’s character yell into the phone?
Answer: “Show me the money!” - What is the name of the bank in the Harry Potter series?
Answer: Gringotts - What animated character is known for swimming in a vault of money?
Answer: Scrooge McDuck - In the movie “Wall Street,” what famous line does Gordon Gekko say about greed?
Answer: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” - What is the fictional currency used in the Harry Potter wizarding world?
Answer: Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts - In the song “Money” by Pink Floyd, what is “a gas”?
Answer: Money - What TV game show’s tagline is “Come on down!”?
Answer: The Price is Right - In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” what happens every time a bell rings?
Answer: An angel gets its wings - What board game comes with a bank and paper money?
Answer: Monopoly - In what movie does a character say “Money never sleeps”?
Answer: Wall Street - What band released the hit song “Money, Money, Money” in 1976?
Answer: ABBA - In the movie “Slumdog Millionaire,” what game show does the main character appear on?
Answer: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - What is the name of the safe-cracker in the “Ocean’s Eleven” movies?
Answer: Yen - What reality TV show features entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to investors?
Answer: Shark Tank - In the James Bond films, what is the name of the criminal organization with the gold obsession?
Answer: Goldfinger - What Notorious B.I.G. song states “Mo Money, Mo Problems”?
Answer: “Mo Money Mo Problems” - What cartoon character is known for the catchphrase “I’m ready, I’m ready” and works for minimum wage?
Answer: SpongeBob SquarePants - In “Breaking Bad,” what business does Walter White use to launder money?
Answer: A car wash - What is the name of the bank the characters attempt to rob in the show “Money Heist”?
Answer: The Royal Mint of Spain - In “The Simpsons,” what is Mr. Burns’ catchphrase related to approval?
Answer: “Excellent”
If you enjoy pop culture trivia, you might also like our collection of video game trivia questions for your next game night.
Billionaires and Wealth
The world of billionaires has always fascinated me. The amounts of money we’re talking about are so huge they almost don’t seem real!
- Who was the first person to become a billionaire?
Answer: John D. Rockefeller - As of 2023, who is considered the richest person in the world?
Answer: Elon Musk - What company made Bill Gates a billionaire?
Answer: Microsoft - Which social media platform made Mark Zuckerberg a billionaire?
Answer: Facebook (now Meta) - Who is the youngest self-made billionaire ever?
Answer: Kylie Jenner (according to Forbes in 2019) - Which billionaire owns The Washington Post?
Answer: Jeff Bezos - Which billionaire is known for his annual letter to shareholders?
Answer: Warren Buffett - Which billionaire founded SpaceX?
Answer: Elon Musk - What is the last name of the family that owns Walmart?
Answer: Walton - Which billionaire authored “Principles: Life and Work”?
Answer: Ray Dalio - Which billionaire is known as the “Oracle of Omaha”?
Answer: Warren Buffett - What industry made Bernard Arnault a billionaire?
Answer: Luxury goods (LVMH) - Which billionaire founded Berkshire Hathaway?
Answer: Warren Buffett (though he didn’t found it, he transformed it) - What is the estimated cost to end world hunger according to the UN?
Answer: Approximately $30 billion per year - Which female billionaire was previously married to Jeff Bezos?
Answer: MacKenzie Scott
Looking for ways to engage in deeper conversations? Our questions to ask your crush over text can help you connect on a more meaningful level.
Banking and Finance
Banking might seem boring to some, but there are actually tons of interesting facts and quirky stories about the financial world. I had a summer job at a bank during college, and even I didn’t know most of these!
- What does ATM stand for?
Answer: Automated Teller Machine - What is the FDIC and what does it do?
Answer: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; it insures deposits in banks - What does “bull market” mean in stock trading?
Answer: A market characterized by rising prices - What does “bear market” mean in stock trading?
Answer: A market characterized by falling prices - What is a hedge fund?
Answer: An investment fund that pools capital from accredited investors to invest in a variety of assets - What is the difference between a credit union and a bank?
Answer: Credit unions are member-owned non-profit institutions while banks are for-profit - What is a mortgage?
Answer: A loan to purchase real estate where the property serves as collateral - What is compound interest?
Answer: Interest that is calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest - What is the term for money that flows between countries?
Answer: Capital flow - What is a stock split?
Answer: When a company divides its existing shares into multiple shares - What is a mutual fund?
Answer: An investment vehicle made up of a pool of money collected from many investors - What is a bond in financial terms?
Answer: A fixed-income instrument representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower - What is inflation?
Answer: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises - What is a recession?
Answer: A significant decline in economic activity lasting more than a few months - What is a credit score?
Answer: A numerical expression based on analysis of a person’s credit files to represent creditworthiness
For those interested in expanding their knowledge in different areas, our math trivia questions provide a stimulating mental challenge.
Why Money Trivia is Perfect for Any Gathering
Money trivia is the perfect ice-breaker for almost any situation – whether you’re hosting a dinner party, looking for team-building activities, or just want to entertain the family on a rainy day. It’s both fun and educational, giving people those “I can’t believe I didn’t know that!” moments.
I’ve found that money trivia appeals to practically everyone because it combines history, geography, pop culture, and practical knowledge. My brother-in-law is a banker who thinks he knows everything about finance, but even he was stumped by some of these questions when we played at Thanksgiving last year!
You can use these questions for formal trivia competitions or just as conversation starters. Either way, you’ll be surprised at how quickly people get engaged and competitive.
Final Thoughts
Wow, we’ve covered a lot of ground with these money trivia questions! From ancient bartering to modern cryptocurrencies, from penny facts to billionaire fortunes, money truly does have a fascinating story to tell.
The next time you’re hosting a game night or just want to impress your friends with some interesting facts, pull out these questions and watch their faces when they realize how little they knew about the cash in their wallets!
So, how did you do? Did you know more or less than you expected? I’d love to know which questions surprised you the most!
If you enjoyed this trivia collection, be sure to check out our other trivia sets and conversation starters. They’re perfect for parties, road trips, or just expanding your knowledge base.