The expert denied the information about the impossibility of exchanging old dollars in Russia

Old-style dollars can be exchanged in Russia, all banknotes remain legal tender, and currency conversion issues depend on their condition, not the year of issue. Ilya Rusyaev, a business consultant and founder of the Rusyaev Club business community, told Izvestia on March 12.

According to the expert, the claims that old-style dollars cannot be exchanged in Russia are not true. All banknotes, regardless of their issue, remain legal tender. The US Federal Reserve confirms that the old banknotes have not lost their value. Rusyaev explained that the hundred-dollar bill of the new design was put into circulation in 2013, but this does not mean that the previous series are no longer valid.

Nevertheless, as the expert emphasized, operational difficulties arise in the Russian reality. The Bank of Russia, in its clarification dated March 6, 2026, noted that restrictions on cash remain in place due to sanctions that prohibit Russian financial institutions from purchasing currency from Western countries. At the same time, the rules for accepting damaged banknotes are developed by each bank individually.

"This means that a particular branch may refuse an operation, send a bill for collection, delay deadlines or charge a commission, especially if the banknote has signs of wear, inscriptions, stamps, creases or contamination. At the same time, there is no universal norm according to which all dollars are not automatically accepted for exchange until 2013," he noted.

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Rusyaev also stressed that it is important to distinguish between "old" and "dilapidated" banknotes. For example, worn-out banknotes are exchanged through commercial financial institutions, and severely damaged banknotes are bought through the BEP program. Thus, for the exchange, it is important to take into account not the year of issue, but the condition of the banknote.

For those who plan to exchange currencies, the specialist recommends giving preference to new banknotes in good condition. Before exchanging large amounts, it is better to check in advance with several banks whether they accept old-style dollars, as well as to find out about possible fees or collections. Bank notes with stains, stamps, or other damages may become problematic.

On February 28, Kaplan Panes, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes, said that analysts' expectations for the dollar exchange rate might not be justified, and then the value of the US currency could rise to the range of 80-83 rubles. In February, the ruble was supported by sales of foreign currency and gold by the Ministry of Finance under the budget rule, which, taking into account adjustments by the Central Bank of Russia, amounts to 16.5 billion rubles per day until March 5.

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