1

$10,000!

Image: Eyestetix Studio

Did you know that, for a time, there was a $10,000 bill? That's right! The bill featured the portrait of Salmon P. Chase, President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, and it was the highest denomination of US currency ever to be publicly circulated! While there was also a $100,000 bill, the latter was only used for large transactions between Federal Reserve Banks.

2

The first President on a coin

Image: Sebastian Enrique

We're totally used to seeing Abraham Lincoln's face on a penny, but that wasn't always the case.

Lincoln's image first appeared on the penny in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth, making him the first US president to appear on a coin, an honor befitting our great Honest Abe! More than 115 years have passed since that addition, and his face is still featured on the iconic penny.

3

Silver pennies

Image: Josh Appel

In addition to featuring Abraham Lincoln's face, pennies are famous for their classic copper color. However, there was one year when the penny took on a different hue.

During WWII, a copper shortage occurred, hindering the usual production of pennies. For that reason, in 1943, pennies were made of steel coated in zinc, giving them a silver color and making them closely resemble dimes.

4

2 and 3 cents?

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Did you know that, in the 19th century, the US had 2- and 3-cent coins? That's right! The 2-cent coin was minted from 1864 to 1873. On the front, it featured a shield symbolizing the Union during the Civil War . On the reverse, it bore the phrase "In God We Trust," making it the first coin to use the motto . The 3-cent coin had two versions: the silver 3-cent coin (1851–1873) and the nickel 3-cent coin (1865–1889).

5

Long lifespan

Image: Shot by Cerqueira

While each coin is used with a different frequency, the average lifespan of a coin can be as long as 40 years ! Just think about all the places and situations it might pass through during that time. Of course, the more a coin circulates, the quicker it will wear down. That’s why the penny has the shortest lifespan , lasting about 25 years on average.

6

In God We Trust

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"In God We Trust" is not only the official motto of the United States (and the state of Florida), but also the phrase that appears on all US currency currently in circulation. But how long has this phrase been there?

"In God We Trust" first appeared on some coins during the Civil War, starting with the aforementioned 2-cent piece. By 1938, the motto appeared on all US coins, but it wasn't until 1955 that President Eisenhower signed a law requiring "In God We Trust" to be included on all US coins and paper money.

7

Precious metals

Image: Jingming Pan

Today, US coins are primarily made of zinc, copper, and nickel. However, back in the early days of the US Mint, things were quite different. In the past, US coins were made not just of copper, but also of silver and even gold!

Over time, using those materials for coins became too expensive, and production shifted to more affordable metals such as zinc and nickel.

8

Safety edges

Image: Joshua Hoehne

When coins were made of precious metals like gold and silver , there was always the risk that someone might tamper with or shave the edges to extract the valuable material. Fortunately, the brilliant Isaac Newton came to the rescue. He introduced the clever idea of adding reeded edges to coins, which helped protect them from opportunistic tampering. With these marked edges, any shaving of the coin would be immediately noticeable. Pretty smart, right?

9

The most coins in the world

Image: Sarbasri Bhaumik

The US Mint manufactures billions of coins each year for circulation, and while that’s nothing new, there’s something about it that might surprise you: the United States is actually the world’s largest producer of coins . No other country makes more!

Pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters are produced in large quantities every day. But that’s not all—dollar coins and special collectors’ coins are also minted, though in much smaller amounts.

10

"Paper" currency

Image: Adam Nir

Our paper money isn’t actually made of paper . It’s composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton. This blend gives US bills greater strength and flexibility, making them not only more durable but also more difficult to counterfeit. Plus, if you accidentally toss a buck in the washing machine, there’s a good chance it’ll come out just fine!

1

Los Angeles, California

Image: Venti Views

The Spanish settlers who arrived in the area in the 18th century originally named it El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles , which translates to "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels." Elegant, but kind of a mouthful for a town name! Over time, the Spanish name stuck, but it was shortened to the more practical "Los Angeles." The city officially adopted this name when it was incorporated in 1850, the same year California became a state.

2

New York City, New York

Image: Colton Duke

Before becoming the one and only New York we know today, the city went by a different name. In the 17th century, the Dutch settlers who arrived in the area called it New Amsterdam . However, when the English seized control in 1664, they renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York.

3

Seattle, Washington

Image: Michael Discenza

Seattle is more than its iconic Space Needle; it has a long history that shaped the city we know today. When European settlers arrived in the area in 1851, they named their settlement New York and added the Chinook word Alki , meaning "by and by," "someday," or "later," suggesting it would one day become as big as New York City. However, in 1852, they changed the settlement’s name to Seattle in honor of Chief Sealth, a Duwamish and Suquamish leader.

4

Portland, Oregon

Image: Zack Spear

Early settlers referred to the area as The Clearing because it stood out from the dense forests typical of the Pacific Northwest. But in 1845, an event occurred that would change everything. Portland’s two founders, Asa Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts, and Francis W. Pettygrove from Portland , Maine, each wanted to name the new settlement after their hometown. So how did they decide? Simple: they flipped a coin . Of course, you know who won!

5

Kansas City, Missouri

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Kansas City was originally founded as the Town of Kansas in 1850, named for its location near the Kansas River. As it quickly grew, it was reincorporated just three years later as the City of Kansas . Finally, in 1889, it officially became Kansas City.

Fun fact: Kansas City, Missouri, was actually founded before the state of Kansas!

6

Charleston, South Carolina

Image: Tyrone Sanders

Before it became the city we know today, Charleston had another name, though not so different. When it was first settled in 1670, the English named it Charles Town in honor of King Charles II. However, over time, the name gradually evolved in pronunciation to Charleston. In 1783, after the Revolutionary War, the city was officially renamed Charleston.

7

San Diego, California

Image: Sean Mullowney

San Diego was the first site on the US West Coast settled by Europeans, which is why it's often called "the Birthplace of California." When Spanish explorers arrived in the area in 1542, they named the bay after a different saint: San Miguel . But years later, in 1602, explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno renamed it San Diego, in honor of San Diego de Alcalá (Saint Didacus of Alcalá).

8

Orlando, Florida

Image: Aditya Vyas

In 1840, the first settlers arrived in what we know today as Orlando. They were the Jernigan family, who named the place after themselves. A post office with that name was even established in 1850. However, about 6 years later, Jernigan officially changed to Orlando. Although the exact reason isn't entirely clear, there are several theories. A popular one claims it was named after Orlando Reeves, a soldier who may have died in the area during the Seminole Wars. Another well-known theory suggests the name came from Orlando , a character in Shakespeare’s As You Like It .

9

Cincinnati, Ohio

Image: Matt Koffel

In the 1780s, the first settlement in this area was called Losantiville , a name created from a mix of words meaning "The town opposite the mouth of the Licking River." But in 1790, the first governor of the Northwest Territory, who was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati (named in honor of the Roman general Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus), disliked Losantiville and decided to change it to its present name.

10

Atlanta, Georgia

Image: Christopher Alvarenga

Atlanta didn't just have one or two names; it had three! By the mid-19th century, the area where the city stands today had become a transportation hub where several railroad lines converged. Because of this, in 1837, the area was called Terminus , meaning "the end of the line." Then, in 1843, the name was changed to Marthasville , in honor of Martha, the daughter of Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin. Finally, just two years later, the city was renamed Atlanta. This name is believed to be a shortened form of "Atlantic," referring to the Western and Atlantic Railroad.

1

The entire coastline is made of glorious sandy beaches

Image: Jeremy Bishop

California’s coastline is long, gorgeous, and wildly varied. Much of it is dominated by cliffs, rocky shores, and chilly waters. Even many popular beaches require a wetsuit if you actually want to get in the water.

Yes, some stretches are ideal for volleyball and sunbathing, but others are better suited to photography.

2

Celebrities are everywhere and happy to mingle

Image: Bibi

It’s tempting to imagine Los Angeles as one giant red-carpet event, but daily life looks a lot more ordinary. Celebrities tend to live in gated communities, travel in private cars, and pick very discreet places to relax.

You might spot one, but you’re far more likely to meet tourists looking for celebrities than actual celebrities themselves.

3

Move to Hollywood and become a star overnight

Image: Edgar Colomba

Hollywood is full of dreamers, but most of them are hustling on the side, waiting tables, doing gig work, and going to audition after audition.

Fame is rarely instant. It’s more like a very long, very competitive marathon that most people don’t see unless they live there.

4

Move to Silicon Valley and become an overnight startup whiz

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

It’s true that Silicon Valley is packed with entrepreneurs and investors. But it’s also full of failed startups, intense work schedules, and fierce competition.

Raising money is tough, building a product is tougher, and surviving long enough to succeed is almost heroic. The myth of "instant unicorn status" is just like the myth of instant movie stardom.

5

The weather is sunny and perfect year-round

Image: Roberto Nickson

California’s climate varies dramatically. Coastal fog in the Bay Area can last all day, winter rainstorms sweep through the north, inland valleys hit triple-digit heat, and wildfire season is a yearly threat.

6

Traffic is terrible, everywhere

Image: Aleksandr Popov

The traffic horror stories from Los Angeles are quite real, but they’re not universal. California is huge, and plenty of mid-sized cities and rural areas have perfectly manageable commutes. Even in LA, traffic ebbs and flows.

7

Californians go to Disneyland every other weekend

Image: Isaac Garcia

Disneyland may be magical, but it’s also expensive, crowded, and logistically complex. Most residents go once in a while, not as a biweekly ritual. Sure, annual passholders exist, but they’re the exception.

8

You’ll find palm trees everywhere

Image: Mitchell Luo

Palm trees are iconic, but they’re not the dominant tree across the state. Many were imported, and Los Angeles’ famous palms are aging out and not being widely replaced. Walk outside the major tourist zones, and you’ll see oaks, pines, sycamores, and far fewer "tropical vacation" vibes than the postcards suggest.

9

Movies are being filmed on every corner

Image: clement proust

You may stumble across a film crew once in a blue moon, but the vast majority of production happens on studio lots or in specifically chosen neighborhoods. Filming permits are expensive, traffic control is complicated, and spontaneous street-corner movie shoots aren’t as common as people think.

10

Everyone is a surfer

Image: Jacob Steckmann

Surfing is a proud part of California culture, but not a universal one. Many residents have never touched a surfboard, and the cold Pacific waters can be intimidating even for the brave. The idea that everyone wakes up, grabs a board, and runs to the beach is more Hollywood montage than real life.

11

Everyone lives close to the ocean

Image: Jonathan Schmer

California’s population is spread across vast inland regions, including the Central Valley, Sacramento, and the Inland Empire, which are all hours away from the coast. Plenty of Californians only see the ocean during vacation.

12

The food is all organic, clean, and hyper-healthy

Image: Jannis Brandt

Yes, you’ll find green juices, vegan cafés, and farm-to-table everything. But California is also home to drive-thrus, giant burritos, and some of the most indulgent comfort food around. The "everyone eats quinoa and sunshine" trope doesn’t hold up once you explore beyond the trendy spots.

13

Everyone commutes by bike, skateboard, or electric scooter

Image: Hiboy

It looks cool in TV shows, but in reality, most Californians commute by car. Public transportation is limited outside a few areas, and long distances make biking impractical for many.

14

Everything in California is incredibly expensive

Image: Martin Zenker

Housing in places like San Francisco is famously pricey, but California also includes smaller cities and rural communities where the cost of living is much closer to the national average.