History of North America

What has happened to US 500 and 1000 dollar bills?

$500 bill: The $500 bill was discontinued by the United States Department of the Treasury in 1969, and was officially withdrawn from circulation on April 24, 1969. The primary reasons for its discontinuation were counterfeiting concerns and its limited use in legal transactions.

$1000 bill: The $1000 bill was also discontinued by the Treasury Department in 1969, along with the $500 bill. The decision to discontinue the $1000 bill was based on similar reasons as the $500 bill, such as concerns over counterfeiting and its limited usage in legitimate transactions.

Both the $500 and $1000 bills are still legal tender, meaning that they can be used to pay debts or taxes, but they are rarely seen in circulation due to their rarity and the fact that many businesses do not accept them as payment.