• Moldova accepts every series of US dollars, but the terms depend on the bank, year of issue and condition of the note.
• The trickiest are the "small heads" (1995 and older). Not every bank takes them, and sometimes the rate is a touch worse.
• The easiest are the modern series (2009+ for the 100 USD, 2004+ for others). Accepted everywhere.
• Condition matters as much as the series. A badly worn or damaged modern note can raise more questions than a tidy old one.
• Before exchanging non-standard notes — call the bank.

A short timeline of US dollar notes

Before 1996. "Small head" — smaller portrait, minimal security features. Series 1928, 1934, 1950, 1963, 1969, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995.

1996. First major redesign of the $100 — "big head", expanded security features.

1999. Same treatment for $50, $20, $10 and $5.

2003. Colour-shifting ink and colour backgrounds introduced on several denominations.

2004. Further security upgrades (on $50 and $20).

2006–2008. Interim updates.

2009. Completely new $100 design (with the 3D ribbon and the moving bell).

2013. New $100 notes enter circulation.

After 2013. Series 2013, 2017, 2021 — roughly identical in design and security features.

For practical exchange in Moldova, the rule of thumb is: the newer the series, the easier the swap.

Which notes get accepted "no questions asked"

$100, series 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021. Modern design with the 3D ribbon and the moving bell. In circulation since 2013. Accepted everywhere, in any condition (except critical damage).

$50, $20, $10, $5, series 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021. Modern design with colour elements. Accepted everywhere.

$100, series 1996, 1999, 2003, 2006. Older "big head" design, but with the expanded security features. Accepted almost everywhere, sometimes with an extra check.

$50, $20, $10, $5, series 1999, 2001. Same story — older "big head", accepted at most banks.

Which notes might raise questions

$100, series 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995. "Small head" design. Some banks take them, some with checks, some refuse.

$100, series 1981 and older. Very old series. Rarely accepted.

$50, pre-1996 series. Same story — "small head" on $50. Terms depend on the bank.

Notes with missing fragments. Whatever the series, the bank looks at the serial number and the survival of security features.

Notes with stamps or coloured writing. Not banned, but checked more strictly.

Compare USD rates in the widget

If your notes are modern and in decent shape, exchange is a routine job. Pick the rate leader from the widget.

If your stack has some older series, the rate leader may not be the leniency leader. A phone call clears that up fast.

Comparison table: series + condition = chance of acceptance

The numbers are illustrative, but the order of preferences is stable.

What the bank checks on the note

Authenticity. Security features: watermark, security thread, microprinting, raised printing, colour-shifting ink (on modern notes).

Series. Whether the bank's internal rulebook accepts that series.

Condition. Integrity, cleanliness, readability of the serial number.

Compliance with Fed rules. The note must not be "withdrawn" or "destroyed" (such notes carry special markings).

Size and shape. Trimmed (cut-down) notes aren't accepted.

A teller at a major Moldovan bank is a trained specialist. Many notes they identify by touch and sight alone, without instruments. For doubtful ones — a UV lamp, a magnifier, sometimes an automatic detector.

What to bring with you to the bank

The basics:

• Passport or other ID document.
• Notes in decent condition (if you have a choice).
• A sorted envelope or sleeve. Modern apart, old apart, doubtful apart.
• Transfer receipt or source document (for large amounts or unusual provenance).

What not to bring:

• Notes taped together.
• Notes with fresh bleaching or chemical treatment.
• Notes from "odd sources" where you can't explain the provenance.

Scenario: years of pension in dollars

Some Moldovan retirees received a "second pension" from relatives in dollars. Over 15–20 years, a pile builds up with notes from different years and conditions. What to do:

1. A full sort — by series, then by condition.
2. Call a major bank. "I have 3,500 USD in savings, notes from different years including 'small head'. Will you take the whole batch?"
3. If yes — head in. The easiest notes first (modern, clean), then the older ones.
4. If they refuse part of the batch — plan B. Another bank that's more lenient with older notes.
5. Source document. If you have a paper trail of transfers over the years — it helps.

In most cases Moldovan banks work with you if you're a pensioner or someone with long-held savings.

Step-by-step: the visit

Step 1. Sort the notes. Modern series — apart. Old ("small head") — apart. Damaged — apart.

Step 2. Open the widget. Compare the USD rate at the top five banks.

Step 3. For modern notes. Go to any leading bank from the top.

Step 4. For older series — call first. Describe the notes and ask whether they'll take them.

Step 5. For damaged ones — a separate plan. See Can you exchange damaged dollars in Moldova.

Step 6. Bring your passport and (for a large amount) a source document.

Step 7. At the bank. Hand over the "easy" notes first, then the tricky ones.

Step 8. Get a receipt. A standard slip showing the rate and amount.

Checklist: "a note fit for exchange"

• [ ] Not a "small head" series (or I know which bank takes "small head").
• [ ] Condition is decent (no serious damage).
• [ ] Security features visible and intact.
• [ ] Serial number readable on both sides.
• [ ] No stray writing, stamps or tape.
• [ ] Standard size and shape (not trimmed).
• [ ] I haven't tried to "fix" it myself.

Common mistakes

• Treating the year of issue as the only criterion. Condition matters just as much.
• Bringing the notes in a loose pile. Sorting saves time and lowers the risk of a blanket refusal on the whole batch.
• Not checking the terms on "small head". The most common reason for a refusal at the counter.
• Ignoring the security features. If the note's been through the wash and the watermark is smeared — that's a problem in itself.
• Buying "travel" dollars in Moldova from old series. If you're heading to a country that's stricter on series — take modern ones.
• Assuming "the bank has to take it". Notes are goods; the bank checks quality, just like any other transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Which dollars are best to bring to Moldova?

Modern series (2009+ for the $100, 2004+ for the rest) in decent condition. The "safe" option.

Are "small heads" accepted?

Some banks — yes, with an extra check. Some — no. A call is essential.

What matters more — the year or the condition?

Both matter. Sometimes condition is the deciding factor.

Can a very old note be exchanged?

In Moldova — rarely, especially for series before 1981. Sometimes it makes more sense to keep it as a souvenir or collector's item.

How many years in circulation counts as "fresh"?

Roughly — up to 5–7 years after issue. Notes from 2017–2021 are definitely "fresh".

Are notes with pencil writing accepted?

Light marks in the margin usually pass. Large writing across the note — less often.

Should I "refresh" my dollars before exchanging?

If you're planning a large transaction — yes. Gradually swap older notes at your home bank before the trip.

The "not-for-every-series" rate

One subtle point: sometimes a bank offers a worse-than-standard rate for "non-standard" notes. It's legal, and there are a few reasons:

Risk. The bank isn't sure it can resell the note to its correspondent at the usual price. A small premium on the spread covers that risk.

Extra verification. The note goes through a longer verification cycle, and those costs are baked into the rate.

Internal policy. The bank may deliberately avoid chasing niche customers by pricing higher than usual.

What to do:

• Ask about the standard rate. "What's your rate on a regular 100 USD?"
• Compare with what's being offered to you. If the gap is 0.05–0.15 — acceptable. 0.30+ — time to try another bank.
• Ask for the reasoning. Don't "haggle" — just learn why. Sometimes the reason is fixable (e.g., it needs an extra check that takes an hour).

Rate transparency is your right. The bank has to name the rate and the spread before the transaction.

The cash drawer's stock and the rate

Not everyone knows this, but the bank's rate on a specific series sometimes depends on how much of that series is already in the till. If the bank is heavy on "small heads" — they're less keen on taking more. If they're low — they need them for balance, and sometimes the rate is better.

That's the bank's back office, and the average customer doesn't see it. But empirically:

• In the morning the bank is often "hungrier" for currency.
• By the end of the day it's the opposite, if they've already taken on plenty.
• At month-end, when correspondents settle balances, terms are sometimes softer.

It's not a "better rate guarantee", but the habit of coming in on a morning at the start of the month sometimes pays off.

Bottom line

Moldovan banks take practically every series of US dollars, but with varying enthusiasm. Modern series (2009+) — no questions. "Big head" (1996+) — almost always. "Small head" (1995 and older) — with extra checks or selectively. Condition is a separate factor, sometimes more important than the year. Sort before you go, call ahead for non-standard notes, don't try to "fix" damaged ones. That turns the exchange from a guessing game into a routine.

Related reading: Do banks accept old dollars in Moldova, Can you exchange damaged dollars in Moldova, Where to exchange dollars in Chisinau.