Coin of the Realm

Standing outside a restaurant after breakfast one morning, I saw something that puzzled me. Next to the road was a shop that sold what were, for lack of a better term, knick-knacks, including what appeared to be ceramic elephant "piggy banks," complete with the little coin slot on their backs. What's THAT about?

How are you going to save your coins in Cambodia, when there are no coins?

There is only paper money here. The Riel, the official currency of the country, is worth about 0.02501910 cents.

Norodom Sihanouk, "King-Father of Cambodia": 5000 Riel =  $1.25 USD

The 500 Riel bank note. Value: 12.5 cents

The practical currency in Cambodia carries the photos of dead presidents. Our dead presidents. George Washington, who defeated our colonizers, fetches about 4,000 Riel. Lincoln, who saved the union, is worth 20,000 Riel. Grant, who  licked the South, commands 200,000 Riel -- but not if his skirts are frayed.

Cambodians don't like bills with little tears along the edges, or which are pretty worn.

The Web site for Angkor Tours explain: "there is no central bank to clear out old (U.S.) bills, so as they become excessively worn, they eventually become worthless." If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, you might want to visit their Web site.

Angkor Tours also gives this advice regarding ATMs: "Knowing that residents will hand back questionable bills, banks often put their dodgiest money in the ATMs thereby dumping them on tourists who might not know any better."

Love,
Robert


Author’s note: This blog is produced independently of Sustainable Communities International. Observations, opinions, errors and omissions are solely the responsibility of the writer.