Pre-War money

The United States dollar, commonly called pre-War money, was the official currency of the United States of America before the Great War. They appear as a bound stack of banknotes in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, Fallout 76 and Fallout Shelter.

Background
United States dollars (USD) were the pre-War currency of the United States of America. Pre-War money appears as a bound stack of banknotes, and is used to represent undisclosed large sums of cash. Although the United States and its economy were eliminated in the Great War, automated pre-War vendors continued to recognize the validity of the dollar. Outside of this limited usage, pre-War money is seen as worthless (in terms of currency) by people of the wasteland, though it still has value as kindling. Various coin denominations, such as pennies, dimes, and quarters, are mentioned throughout the games via dialogue and text, such as a 50-cent cost printed on the front of pay phones and 25-cent cost on the magazine vending machines. $20 bills appear most prominently in the games, while $100 bills are also referenced.

Prices throughout the series
Throughout the wastelands, pre-War cost of various products, including foodstuffs, vehicles, literature, and entertainment, are shown. The dollar generally faced severe inflation which sent prices for common goods soaring, although this is not consistently maintained between games.

Green seal


A stack of pre-War bills, bound with a green band.

Red seal


A stack of pre-War $20 bills, bound with a red band.