Simply put, a rectangle is the easiest shape to cut versus some other layout such as circles or pentagons. Bills are printed on large sheets of paper in a grid layout, which allows them to be cut apart mechanically with no waste paper.
As far as being rectangular versus square, a rectangular layout means it's easier to orient bills in stacks because they can only be oriented in one of two directions as opposed to four, which simplifies sorting and counting.
The collective noun for banknotes is a wad of banknotes.
Plastic banknotes are more durable and more waterproof than paper banknotes, as well as being harder to counterfeit.
Banknotes normally last for 1 to 3 years.
No
currency or wad
Plastic banknotes were invented in Australia by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the CSIRO.
Egyptian banknotes are in an elongated rectangular shape. They feature images of iconic and historically important location including the Sphinx. Colors range from muted red tones to vibrant purples.
The Chinese jiazi banknotes are generally considered to be the first paper money in history, entering use around about 960 AD. The first European banknotes were issued in Sweden in 1660.
De La Rue PLC print all English banknotes under licence from the Bank of England.
Simply put, a rectangle is the easiest shape to cut versus some other layout such as circles or pentagons. Bills are printed on large sheets of paper in a grid layout, which allows them to be cut apart mechanically with no waste paper. As far as being rectangular versus square, a rectangular layout means it's easier to orient bills in stacks because they can only be oriented in one of two directions as opposed to four, which simplifies sorting and counting.
They still are
New Turkish lira banknotes began to be used in 1 January 2009. During 2009, both old and new banknotes will be accepted but by 2010, old banknotes will expire.