The following information regarding the current, average life of a Federal Reserve Note was provided by the Federal Reserve System and was found on the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Web Site. Please note that the life of a note depends on its denomination:

$ 1 ................ 22 months
$ 5 ................ 16 months
$ 10............... 18 months
$ 20 .............. 24 months
$ 50 .............. 60 months
$100 ............. 102 months

Interestingly enough, the shortest lived piece of currency is usually the $5 note. But amazingly, the $1 note usually outlives both the $5 and the $10 notes, and lasts almost as long as the $20 note! Obviously the $5 and $10 notes are our primary workhorses.