Worthless Money

Zimbabwe
As Americans worry about the rate of inflation exceeding 4 percent, we should consider Zimbabwe, where the inflation rate broke the shocking 100,000 percent mark and the country released a 10 million-dollar note (now valued below $4 on the black market). But Zimbabwe's currency is hardly the only one inflated beyond reason.



Vietnam
Photo by Tim Hout
500,000-dong note. U.S. value: $31.37
An early-1980s U.S. embargo hobbled exports, leading to price controls and the printing of excess currency.



Indonesia
Photo by Tim Hout
100,000-rupiah note. U.S. value: $11.05
During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the rupiah lost 80 percent of its value within months, sparking riots in Jakarta (and soon ending President Suharto's 32-year rule).



50,000-rial note. U.S. value: $5.35
Since the 1979 revolution, Iran's inflation rate has hovered around 15 percent, thanks in part to ever-rising oil prices.



São Tomé
Photo by Tim Hout
50,000-dobra note. U.S. value: $3.47.
This African island nation's economy is tied to the volatile price of its chief export, cocoa, and is measured against its trading partners' robust euro.



Guinea
Photo by Dalia Nassimi
10,000-franc note. U.S. value: $2.33
In 2002, the mineral-rich African country refused to implement reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund; foreign cash dried up, and the central bank printed too much money.