Currency Creator Worksheet Mint Master Plan
Official Currency Design & Economic Proposal
Designer:
Date:
The $99 Bill Question
Why don't we have a $99 bill in the United States? Think about the logic of the denominations we currently use ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100).
Video Analysis: What Is Money?
Watch the video and record the 6 characteristics of effective money below.
1. Acceptable
2. Portable
3. Divisible
Can be broken into smaller units...
4. Scarce
5. Durable
6. Stable
The Blueprint: Currency Design
Nation Name: __________________________________________________
Denomination 1 (Lowest Value)
Sketch Design Here
Name: _________ Value: _________
Denomination 2
Sketch Design Here
Name: _________ Value: _________
Denomination 3
Sketch Design Here
Name: _________ Value: _________
Denomination 4 (Highest Value)
Sketch Design Here
Name: _________ Value: _________
The Exchange: Divisibility Table
Establish the mathematical relationship between your currency units. Example: 5 "Pennies" = 1 "Nickel".
How many of this unit... ...equals 1 of this unit? Show the Math Equation Ex: 4 Quarters = 1 Dollar
Currency Defense
Explain how your design meets the requirements of Durability and Portability . What materials are used? How easy is it to carry for high-value transactions?
Peer Review: The Transaction Test
Trade your worksheet with a partner. Your partner will try to "pay" for a specific amount using your currency.
Reviewer Name: ___________________
Goal: Make change for a purchase of 13.5 units of the local currency (or equivalent value in your system).
Challenge Check:
Was it easy to divide the denominations?
Are the values logical and easy to calculate?
Feedback for the Designer Mint Masters Slides MINT MASTERS
Currency Design & The Math of Money
7th Grade Math & Financial Literacy
The $99 Question
Why don't we have a $99 bill in circulation?
Think about:
Making change
Mathematical logic
Portability
What Is Money?
Embedded media
Focus on Section: "Divisibility"
Look for:
How does breaking a $100 bill into change relate to division and fractions?
Notes:
Record the 6 Characteristics on your worksheet.
The DNA of Money
Acceptable
Portable
Divisible
Scarce
Durable
Stable
Design Your Currency
1
Create 4 unique bills/coins.
2
Establish exchange rates.
3
Defend your characteristics.
The Math Constraint
"Each higher denomination must be divisible by at least one of the lower denominations."
Time: 30 Minutes
Test Your System
Trade your blueprint with a neighbor. Can they accurately pay for a 13.5 unit snack using your denominations?
Extension Challenge
What happens if a customer gives you a high-value bill? Is it easy to give them change?
Mint Masters Rubric Mint Master Rubric
Currency Design & Economic Analysis Project
Total Points
/ 40
Student Name
Nation Name
Date
Criteria Excellent (10 pts) Proficient (7 pts) Developing (4 pts) Mathematical Logic
Divisibility and Exchange Rates
| All denominations have clear, logical mathematical relationships. The divisibility table is error-free and demonstrates sophisticated scaling. | Denominations are mathematically related, with minor errors in the table or exchange rates that slightly complicate making change. | Denominations lack clear mathematical relationships. Significant errors in the divisibility table make transactions difficult. |
|
Economic Rationale
6 Characteristics & Defense
| Detailed explanation of how the currency meets all 6 characteristics. Rationale for durability and portability is highly creative and scientifically plausible. | Explains most characteristics clearly. Portability and durability are addressed with realistic reasoning. | Missing several characteristics or provides vague reasoning. Little thought given to physical material or transportability. |
|
Visual Blueprint
Creativity & Design
| 4 distinct, creative designs that incorporate national symbols. High level of effort in detail, anti-counterfeit features, or aesthetic consistency. | 4 clear designs provided. Mostly consistent style across denominations. Effort is visible in the sketches. | Designs are incomplete, messy, or lack distinction between denominations. Minimal creative effort. |
|
Peer Collaboration
Transaction Testing
| Active participation in the peer review. Feedback provided to peers is constructive, specific, and mathematically focused. | Participated in the peer review process and completed the required transaction test for a partner. | Minimal participation in the peer review. Feedback was vague or transaction test was not fully attempted. |
Strengths
Growth Areas Mint Masters Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Mint Masters
Target Grade
7th Grade Math
Learning Objective
Students will apply concepts of divisibility and proportional reasoning to design a functional currency system. They will evaluate their designs against the six economic characteristics of money.
Pacing & Flow
5 min
The Hook: The $99 Bill
Ask: "Why don't we have a $99 bill?" Guide discussion toward the efficiency of making change (divisibility).
5 min
Video: Divisibility Section
Watch timestamps 5:12–5:36. Students record the 6 characteristics on their worksheet.
30 min
Activity: Currency Blueprint
Students work individually or in pairs to design 4 denominations and their mathematical relationships.
10 min
Extension: Peer Review
"Transaction Test": Students swap worksheets and attempt to make change for a specific value.
Key Vocabulary
Divisibility
The ability of a number to be divided by another without a remainder.
Denomination
A proper description of a currency amount, usually for coins or banknotes.
Fiat Money
Currency that has value because the government says it does.
Exchange Rate
The value of one currency unit in terms of another.
Answer Key: Characteristics of Money
1. Acceptable
Everyone agrees it has value and takes it as payment.
2. Portable
Lightweight and easy to carry for transactions.
3. Divisible
Can be broken into smaller units to make exact change.
4. Scarce
Limited in supply, which gives it purchasing power.
5. Durable
Made of material that lasts and doesn't fall apart.
6. Stable
Value doesn't change drastically overnight.
Mathematical Troubleshooting
Common Pitfall: Non-Divisible Units
Students may pick arbitrary numbers (e.g., a 7-unit bill and a 10-unit bill). Point out how difficult it is to make change for a 5-unit purchase without smaller units.
Guiding Question
"If I buy a snack that costs 12 units and give you a 50-unit bill, how many of your smallest coins will I get back? Is there a more efficient bill I could use?"
