Where's George (WG) Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1998

Of course there was no internet in 1975 (or earlier), and 1898 is simply inserted to trip up anyone who doesn't read carefully.

I suggest you read the Interesting (hopefully) Information after each of these questions. It may prove - interesting.
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The intent and golden rule of WG is "EMS" - Enter the bill info into WG; Mark the bills with the WG web address; Spend the bills normally, just like you would spend unmarked cash. ENTER-MARK-SPEND.

Answer: nothing - WG is free

Basic membership is absolutely free! Like many other online web sites, members can upgrade their account for a small monthly fee. "Friends of Where's George " (FOG) and FOG+ members have access to more reports and tracking functions.
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The WG concept is simple. First, enter the basic tracking info of your bill(s) onto the web site. that is - bill denomination, series year, bill serial #, and the Zip Code where you are when you enter the bill into the data base. The Zip Code lets WG determine distance traveled and the speed of a bill (half a mile per day seems to be about average - for my bills, at least).

Answer: no - as long as the bill is suitable for reissue

No one in this age would use their actual name in an email address. The 50 states are not directly responsible for enforcing currency laws, and President Clinton had bigger (or smaller) things to worry about in 1998.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing information sheet states, in part: "Defacement of currency is a violation of Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code. Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as...follows: Whoever mutilates...cuts...disfigures...any bank bill, draft, note...with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both." Since there's no intent by WG folks to ruin currency, we're safe.

Answer: all are correct

While beginners and low volume Georgers just hand write "www.wheresgeorge.com" on their notes, the more serious Georgers use ink stamps to mark large quantities of bills. The cost for a basic rubber stamp and ink pad is quite low, and it saves a lot of work!
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After entering the tracking info, mark your bill(s) with the WG website address.

Answer: plate serial #

The key information that must be entered for every bill includes denomination, serial #, series year, and Zip Code where the bill is being entered into the WG data base. There's also an optional comments field, where you can add your two cents (the only time coins are permitted in WG) on bill condition, how you got the bill, where it will be spent, your nosy neighbors, etc. These comments often make interesting reading!

The plate serial # is probably of interest only at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing.
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After your WG bills are marked, spend them normally, just as you would spend unmarked cash. Putting your Georges back in circulation allows them to travel and see the world.

Answer: $2

Since Jefferson's face is on the front, a $2 bill is a "Tom." Toms are a very popular specialty in WG. I've entered nearly 400 $2 bills, and I'm sure there are hard core Georgers who've entered thousands!

Ulysses "Grant" is on the $50, and Ben Franklin graces the $100 bill. But a $500 is - uh - is - hmm. I'm looking - oh yes. McKinley! You won't find any "Big Mc's" at your local WG or bank. The US government withdrew every denomination over $100 from circulation by 1969. There are a few big bills for sale on EBay, but the largest bill currently in circulation (and in WG) these days is the $100 "century note."

It's all a bit moot. I don't know anyone that would carry a $500 in their wallet? Do you?
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At some point - a week, a month, a year? - some other Georger will see your mark on a bill, enter the bill info into their device, and PRESTO! You've got a "hit" on one of your bills! Congratulations!

Answer: $100

This may sound familiar - a $500 bill is a McKinley! But you won't find any "Big Mc's" at your local WG or bank. Every denomination higher than $100 was withdrawn from circulation by 1969. So $100 bills are the highest in WG.

As a married man, I'm lucky - I've been able to enter three $100 bills into WG. And then promptly return them to the wife! And by the way - if you picked the $200 bill, please call me. I've got a bridge you might like to purchase!

Answer: it has "007" in the serial #

I suppose the "007" could be anywhere in the 8 digit serial number, but the ideal James Bond bill would end with "007." Bullet holes and bloodstains? Eww! Maybe on drug dealer $20's!

Every hobby has its special jargon; WG is no exception. Georgetannica is an alphabetic listing of numerous WG terms, with such phrases as: radar bill, newborn George, and liquored up George. A sleeper bill is one that takes a year or more to get a hit. The longest sleepers I've seen listed in WG took 14 YEARS from one hit to the next! Don't despair! That's the exception, not the norm. It only took me eight months to get my first bill hit.

Answer: spend the WG bills normally, just as you would non-WG money

Sure - I could mail a George to my Outer Slobovian buddy, asking him to enter it into WG. But that would be like cheating at solitaire; why bother at all, if you're going to do that? Obviously, there's some latitude in the system. I've sent marked bills (Toms - the grandkids thought they were fakes!) to the youngsters for birthdays, but I never ask them to enter the bills into WG. And they usually don't. Dang lazy kids!

But ploys like "dumping" a large number of marked bills back into a bank, or mailing a huge bundle of stamped cash to far away friends in order to boost your "hits" are essentially unsportsmanlike, and could result in termination of one's WG membership.

Answer: a Canadian currency tracking program

Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French descended prime minister of Canada. His portrait is on several $1000 and $5 bill series, and at least three different postage stamps. Laurier's prominence on the $5 bills gave rise to the "Willy" site name. Incidentally, bills in WG and WW can also be tracked and reported internationally.

Numerous other countries have currency tracking programs similar to WG and WW. England, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, and Germany are just a few of the approximately 20 countries listed.