After a year of traveling around Asia, I collected a lot of currency. Often times it’s leftover (on purpose, in hopes that I’ll return) but I’m also mindful of stashing away several small bills as a souvenir. I also keep coins. I think they are the best possible momentos.

One thing that originally got me interested in travel and other cultures was a collection of coins that my Grandfather had passed down to me. While serving in the second World War he picked up various European coins from the early 20th century.

Despite the convenience  and prevalence of credit and debit cards in some places, every country I visited this year was a cash society. I don’t think I used my credit card once. Even in some places that we associate with modernity and reliance on technology, like Japan for instance, has stubbornly rejected plastic in favor of paper money

In 2013 I visited 10 countries. Here are most beautiful bills from a year of travel.

South Korean Won

Japanese Yen

Philippine Peso

Singapore Dollar

Malaysian Ringgit

Sri Lankan Rupee

Indian Rupee

Bhutanese Ngultrum

Nepalese Rupee

Myanmar Kyats

Do you collect currency? What countries are some of your favorites?