1

The $2 bill is real and still legal

Image: Alicia Razuri

Yep, that mysterious $2 bill featuring Thomas Jefferson isn’t a collector’s fantasy. It’s still produced today (though rarely), and the reverse shows the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. People tend to save them, thinking they’re rare, but you can spend them just like any other bill.

2

The penny used to be made of pure copper

Image: Adam Nir

During WWII, copper was needed for ammo, so in 1943, pennies were made from steel and coated in zinc. They looked silver and rusted easily, some even stuck to magnets! Today, most pennies are actually 97.5% zinc with just a thin copper coating.

3

George Washington didn’t appear on the first $1 bill.

Image: Jonathan Borba

The very first $1 bill (from 1862) featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. Washington didn't show up until 1869, and Chase had a not-so-humble role in placing his own face there.

4

There’s a tiny owl hidden on the $1 bill

Image: rc.xyz NFT gallery

Take a magnifying glass to the upper-right corner of the "1" on a dollar bill. Some people swear there’s a tiny owl or spider hidden in the pattern, said to symbolize wisdom or surveillance. Officially, it's just part of the ornate design, but still a fun little mystery!

5

The $100,000 bill actually existed

Image: Dmytro Glazunov

No, you can’t use it at Target. Printed in 1934 and featuring Woodrow Wilson, this gold certificate was used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It was never meant for public use, and owning one today is illegal!

6

Lincoln faces the other way for a reason

Image: JustStartInvesting

On most bills, presidents face to the right. But on the penny, Lincoln faces left. One theory is that the designer used a portrait that happened to face left, but it also makes Lincoln the only president looking "inward" when coins are lined up in value order.

7

"In God We Trust" wasn’t always on our money

Image: Jonathan Borba

That phrase didn’t become mandatory on U.S. currency until 1955 during the Cold War. It first appeared on coins in 1864, but the push to include it everywhere came as a nod to America’s spiritual identity in contrast to atheistic communism.

8

Coins last way longer than bills

Image: Barry A

Your average dollar bill survives about 6.6 years in circulation. Coins? They can keep going for 30 years or more! That’s why coins are still a budget-friendly way for the government to make money — and we mean that literally!

9

The buildings on the back aren’t random

Image: Ryan Quintal

Each bill’s reverse side typically features a building related to the person on the front. For instance, the Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the $5 bill (with Lincoln on the front), and the White House appears behind Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The choice of course had to do with government history itself! Which building do you think is missing?

10

There are secret codes on every bill

Image: Andrew Dawes

Look closely and you’ll spot tiny letters and numbers that identify which printing plate was used and where the bill was made. Ever see a tiny "F6" on a $1? That means it was printed in Atlanta, Georgia.

11

A dollar is technically made of cloth

Image: Live Richer

Despite calling it "paper money," U.S. bills are actually made of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why they feel so distinct, and don’t shred like regular paper when they get wet (though they still don’t love laundry day).

1

Randall Park Mall, Ohio

Image: Carl Raw

Randall Park Mall opened in 1976 when huge retail complexes were designed to be at the heart of their communities. It was one of the largest indoor malls in the country, with more than 200 shops. However by 2009, following years of declining business and the more immediate impact of the Great Recession, Randall Park Mall closed its doors.

Encompassing nearly 2.2 million square feet of space and reportedly costing $175 million to build, Randall Park Mall was deemed such a colossal miscalculation that it closed after only 33 years in operation and was demolished before reaching forty years.

2

Circle Centre Mall, Indiana

Image: Michael Weidemann

Circle Centre opened to the public on September 8, 1995, incorporating existing downtown structures such as the former L. S. Ayres flagship store. Real efforts were made in its design to incorporate historic elements, such as the retention of the facades of buildings that had previously existed on the site.

Most malls rely on their department and anchor stores to survive, but, with the closure of Nordstrom in 2011 and of Carson's on April 29, 2018, the mall has been left without any department stores. In response to the changing retail conditions, the mall has explored non-traditional uses; for example, in 2014 The Indianapolis Star moved its offices into part of the space vacated by Nordstrom.

3

East Hills Shopping Center, Missouri

Image: Alexander Kovacs

East Hills Shopping Center is an enclosed shopping mall that opened in 1965, as one of the first malls in the Midwestern U.S. After enjoying several decades of success during the early days of malls, East Hills lost many tenants throughout the 1990s.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many businesses to a close. On August 27, 2022, Dillard's permanently closed its doors followed by Party City in April 2023. The mall currently features JCPenney as its only anchor tenant.

4

Exton Square Mall, Pennsylvania

Image: mostafa meraji

The Exton Square Mall opened its doors in March 1973. Among its earlier memories, it holds the distinction of hosting the first Chick-fil-A restaurant on its premises.

In recent years, the mall has experienced an increase in vacancy rates, due to declining mall traffic and ongoing competition from the larger King of Prussia mall located 14 miles away. Many of the remaining stores are non-traditional tenants such as medical offices, a chess club, an art studio and gallery, and a chamber of commerce office.

5

Pittsburgh Mills Galleria, Pennsylvania

Image: Alexander Kovacs

Pittsburgh Mills Galleria is a dead mall that opened to much fanfare on July 14, 2005, but it never achieved the success its owners had hoped for. Only a year after opening, Lucky Strike Lanes closed and was eventually replaced with two restaurants and a banquet hall.

As of February 2023, there are only about 20 stores left, including 6 major chain stores. The food court, which once housed two full-service restaurants, a Starbucks, 10 counter restaurants, and several push-cart vendors, is now completely vacant.

6

Midway Mall, Ohio

Image: Pascal Bernardon

Midway Mall originally opened on September 22, 1966. Its anchor stores were Higbees, JCPenney, and Sears but over the years, brands changed and eventually left. As of 2023, with former anchor Dunham's Sports closing its branch there, it is considered a dead mall.

In 2023, the Lorain County Port Authority voted to buy and develop the mall site but, on May 1, 2024, the port authority sold the property to Industrial Commercial Properties, which intends to turn the mall into an industrial park.

7

Signal Hill Mall, North Carolina

Image: Ervan Sugiana

Signal Hill Mall was a regional enclosed shopping mall that opened in 1973 with more than 40 stores. The mall experienced a great deal of decline since the 2010s, losing most of its major stores throughout the decade and receiving significant media attention as an example of what is popularly known as a dead mall.

As of 2022, the mall has continued to decline, and despite discussions about the possibility of the mall being repurposed for non-retail use, nothing has been done. The mall is occasionally used as a space for community and recreational events by Statesville residents but that is all the activity on its premises.

8

Century III Mall, Pennsylvania

Image: Raymond Kotewicz

The eighth entry on this list hailing from Pennsylvania is an already abandoned mall. Century III Mall was built on a former slag dump and it operated from 1979 to 2019 - almost 40 years, which is not a bad number for a mall. It was the third-largest shopping mall in the world when it opened, but it has since been surpassed by much larger malls.

Following a similar route to the ones we have seen before, its occupancy rate fell from 40 percent in January 2016 to 10 percent by December 2017. Demolition of the mall began on March 26, 2024, starting with the attached external parking garage structure, but it will take a year until the entire structure is gone.

9

Gwinnett Place Mall, Georgia

Image: Casey Lovegrove

Stranger Things fans might recognize this building as the "Starcourt Mall" featured in the third season of the series. Once the leading mall in the region, Gwinnett Place Mall is now largely vacant.

It was challenged by the openings of the Mall of Georgia in 1999 and Sugarloaf Mills in 2001 and lost a large part of its customer base. It also failed to attract any new anchor stores for several years. In 2008, Gwinnett Technical College opened an International Education Center in the mall, where students take foreign language classes. Not much of a mall anymore.

10

Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center, California

Image: David Valentine

Let us close the list with Hawthorne Plaza , an abandoned enclosed shopping mall with 134 stores that opened in February 1977. It included an indoor mall with three anchor stores and freestanding stores. Despite its initial popularity, the mall went into decline in the 1980s and 1990s.

The number of occupied stores declined from 130 in the late 1980s to around 70 in 1998. The mall's final anchor, JCPenney, closed in 1998 and the mall itself closed in 1999. The southern section of the mall across from the parking structure was demolished in 1998 and rebuilt as a strip mall. It currently includes a supermarket, a pharmacy, and some small restaurants.

1

Neon Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada

Image: 李林Alwen

Let’s kick off this list with the Neon Museum in Las Vegas. The location seems just about right since Las Vegas is always bright and shining with luminous signs.

This museum, founded in 1996, holds a collection of over 250 historic signs from the city. It is located a few blocks away from the iconic Las Vegas Strip and exhibitions and projections display signs that once adorned the venue. Moreover, you will be able to see some paradigmatic signs restored like the Silver Slipper and Benny Binion’s Horseshoe.

2

International Spy Museum - Washington, D.C.

Image: Marten Newhall

Haven’t we all dreamed of becoming an international secret spy? Well, you can make your dream come true, at least for a few hours, at the International Spy Museum in Washington.

This museum was established in 2002 and it features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever displayed. From spy gadgets and concealed weapons to covert operations and famous espionage cases, you’ll get inside the life of a true spy.

Furthermore, it is an interactive museum so visitors can test their own skills with the experiences offered within the establishment.

3

National Mustard Museum - Middleton, Wisconsin

Image: Simona Sergi

Mustard is so much more than just a condiment, and if you think it is not, the National Mustard Museum is here to challenge that notion.

Founded in 1992 by Barry Levenson, this quirky museum celebrates all things mustard with the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia. It showcases over 6000 mustards from over 70 countries and visitors can learn about the mustard history and take a look at antique elements like tins, mustard pots, vintage signs, and advertisements.

If you are a foodie or a culinary curious, you can’t miss this museum!

4

Idaho Potato Museum - Blackfoot, Idaho

Image: Lars Blankers

Idaho’s love and pride for potatoes is so big, that they had to build a museum to display it and they are waiting for you!

The Idaho Potato Museum is a spud-tacular tribute to the beloved potato, fittingly located in the "potato capital of the world." Housed in the former Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot, this space of over 5,500 square feet offers exhibits on the history, cultivation, and nutritional value of the humble tuber.

Highlights include one of the world’s largest collections of potato mashers and the biggest potato crips ever made. Visitors can even perform experiments in the Potato Lab and savor a freshly baked potato in the museum’s cafe.

5

International UFO Museum and Research Center - Roswell, New Mexico

Image: Danie Franco

UFOs have always raised curiosity and the theories behind sightings and paranormal activities are one too many, right? Or at least enough to create a museum devoted to exhibiting all things UFOs.

The International UFO Museum and Research Center offers an intriguing exploration into the world of UFOs, and it is housed in a former movie theater. The creation of the museum was inspired by the Rosewell incident in 1947, a crash of a flying saucer, and it presents a variety of written, audio, and visual materials.

This museum is pet friendly and visitors can enjoy exhibits like a spinning UFO with aliens and an outdoor "Rosewell Belevies" mural. When are you paying a visit?

6

National Museum of Funeral History - Houston, Texas

Image: panyawat auitpol

There’s no denying it, we are going to die eventually. However, is death enough of an intriguing topic to open a museum devoted to it? Apparently, it is, and you can find one in Houston.

The National Museum of Funeral History houses the country’s largest collection of funeral service items, including caskets, coffins, and hearses.

The museum is over 30,000 feet and it features 19 permanent exhibits covering topics that range from embalming to the history of cremation and mourning photography. To make it even more interesting, the museum offers a unique look at funeral traditions and culture from ancient Egypt to modern times around the world.

7

Museum of Bad Art - Somerville, Massachusetts

Image: Rainer Bleek

Even if art is not for everyone, we can all agree there are standards for what is considered good or bad, right? Well, The Museum of Bad Art is here to prove us wrong!

Located in Somerville, the Museum of Bad Art is a delightful celebration of artistic mishaps and quirky creativity. What began in 1993 in a Boston basement has now expanded to the Somerville Theater’s basement in Davis Square.

This unique museum boasts over 700 pieces from artists, amateurs, and anonymous creators, featuring donations, thrift store finds, and gifts from the artists themselves. Despite its impressive collection, only about 25 works are displayed at a time , ensuring a fresh experience with each visit. Best of all, it’s free! For a fun and offbeat adventure, this is the place you need to visit!

8

National Bottle Museum - Ballston Spa, New York

Image: James Cousins

Here’s a museum you never thought would exist! But considering bottles are part of our everyday life, have you ever stopped and thought about how bottles are made? Wonder no more, better visit the museum!

The National Bottle Museum is a charming three-story brick building and it showcases over 3,000 bottles on its first floor alone! With seven permanent exhibits, you can marvel at pre-machine-made bottles from every state and even see glowing uranium glass!

Don’t miss the quirky temporary exhibits that go from Coca-Cola bottles to shot glasses, and spa bottles! And, if you are a bottle collector yourself, you’ll love the extensive library available!

9

Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Image: Jonathan Borba

Teeth are the subject of contrarian opinions! Some love it, some find it disgusting. But that wasn’t enough of a reason to prevent Michigan from having a museum devoted to dentistry.

The Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry in Ann Arbor is a hidden gem tucked away in the atrium of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. It’s one of the few museums in the world dedicated entirely to dentistry!

With over 25,000 objects on display, you will find everything from antique dental tools to quirky historical products dating back to the 18th century. The museum also features fascinating temporary exhibits and engaging programs. Plus, admission is free, so you can enjoy this unique journey through dental history without spending a dime.

10

Museum of Jurassic Technology - Los Angeles, California

Image: Mauro Sbicego

You read that right, the words "Jurassic" and "technology" are part of the same name and they have nothing to do with Spielberg’s millionaire production.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Despite its name, there’s nothing particularly Jurassic about it. Instead, this delightfully bizarre museum leads you through dimly lit halls filled with curiosities, from mini models of Napoleon and Daffy Duck to oil portraits of Soviet space dogs.

It’s a wonderfully chaotic mix that keeps visitors scratching their heads and smiling. Perfect for those who love a good mystery, the museum’s quirky collection is as baffling as it is fascinating. Come ready to be amused and bewildered!