There's a massive amount of Canadian currency in circulation in the US, and everyone just treats them the same as American currency and doesn't bat an eye. I mean, nobody is going to accept a Loonie or a Toonie, but all other denominations are fair game. The only vocal annoyance anyone has ever expressed to me was about vending machines not taking them. I accepted them when I worked the til because everyone just seemed to be ok with it.
I always wondered if there was a legitimate scam possible here.
Yep. Not paper currency, just coins. They look similar and are in the same denominations (25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 1 cent). You'll get them as change and and you can spend them again.
Canada got rid of the 1 cent piece though so there are likely more Canadian pennies in circulation in the US than in Canada.
Yes, but I've basically only seen this with pennies and quarters, because they are physically very similar to their US equivalents. I don't think anyone would accept a Canadian $20 in exchange for US$20. (I also doubt that they'd accept more than a few at a time.)
There's a massive amount of Canadian currency in circulation in the US, and everyone just treats them the same as American currency and doesn't bat an eye. I mean, nobody is going to accept a Loonie or a Toonie, but all other denominations are fair game. The only vocal annoyance anyone has ever expressed to me was about vending machines not taking them. I accepted them when I worked the til because everyone just seemed to be ok with it.
I always wondered if there was a legitimate scam possible here.