Which US dollar bills to bring to Argentina and why "cara chica" get a worse rate
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The bills that exchange best are new-design $100 bills (with the blue 3D ribbon, in circulation since 2013): clean, intact, with no writing or stamps. "Cara chica" (old bills with the small portrait, issued before 1996), as well as small, torn or dirty bills, may be taken by exchange houses at a worse rate or not taken at all: each house has its own terms, so ask in advance. Even so, all US dollars issued since 1861 remain legal tender.
3Best exchanger for this amountBest rate UNION EXCHANGE1 USD = 1,540 ARS · checked 2 min ago
💱 Exchange at UNION EXCHANGEWhat are "cara chica" and "cara grande"?
- Cara chica ("small face") — $100 bills of the old design, with a small portrait of Franklin in an oval, issued before the 1996 series.
- Cara grande ("big face") — bills with the enlarged portrait of the 1996 design (issued until the 2013 redesign).
- Azul / nueva — the design with the blue 3D ribbon, in circulation since 2013 (uscurrency.gov).
Why are old bills exchanged at a worse rate?
The US Treasury states plainly that all bills issued since 1861 remain valid and are redeemed at face value (uscurrency.gov). There is no law prohibiting their acceptance, but on the cash market such bills are harder to resell, so an exchange house may take them at a worse rate or refuse them; each house has its own terms, so ask in advance.
What does the BCRA say about cara chica bills?
Since August 2024 the BCRA has allowed banks to hand it cash dollars, and it sends them to the US Federal Reserve for verification (Com. "A" 8079). Bills of any denomination are accepted, including worn ones, if more than 50% of the surface is preserved and the denomination and security features are visible. That is what allowed banks to take old and worn dollars from customers, including "cara chica". At first the mechanism ran until 31.12.2024, then it was extended, and on 07.11.2025 the BCRA removed the deadline (Com. "A" 8352).
Which bills should I bring to Argentina?
- $100 denomination: usually the best rate.
- The new design (with the blue ribbon).
- No defects: not torn, with no writing, stamps, stains or tape, and not badly creased.
- If you are carrying a large sum, think about security and the declaration on arrival: cash of USD 10,000 or more (in equivalent, together with other bearer instruments) must be declared at customs on form OM 2249-A (Res. Gral. ARCA 5659/2025).
What if I already have old or damaged bills?
- Ask the exchange house in advance whether it will take them and at what rate. Exchange houses with their terms are in the "Currency exchange" section.
- If you have an account at an Argentine bank, check whether the bank accepts such bills for deposit.
- Badly damaged bills (half a bill or less remains, or its value is in doubt) are redeemed free of charge in the US by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP, Mutilated Currency Redemption program). This is done by mail in the US and suits larger sums better.
How are euros exchanged in Argentina?
Almost all casas de cambio take euros, usually at a less favorable rate than dollars ("How to exchange dollars, euros and USDT in Buenos Aires: exchange houses, banks and cards"). The requirements for the condition of the bills are the same: clean and intact.
Frequently asked questions
What are "cara chica" dollars?
Old-design $100 bills with a small portrait, issued before 1996.
Are they still valid?
Yes, all US dollars since 1861 are legal tender (uscurrency.gov). In Argentina they are simply exchanged at a worse rate.
Which dollars are best to bring?
New-design $100 bills with the blue ribbon, undamaged.