Most traditional origami is done using a single square sheet of paper however certain models require that rectangular sheets of paper with certain proportions are used.
Because the paper money of different countries are all different sizes this gives you a bunch of differently shaped rectangles to fold origami out of while also giving you constraints when you try to design models.
There’s actually been a lot of origami made from folding paper money and the different colours used on the bills from different countries can also give the finished piece a colourful and unique look that you wouldn’t normally see with regular origami paper.
Alexandr Pak has designed a couple of great origami trees using paper money.
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Designed and Folded by Alexandr PakInstructions not available
Here’s a great little origami pig folded using a Vietnamese note.
Pig, Designed and Folded by NGUYỄN Hùng Cường
Instructions not available
Here’s a tiny origami shrimp which I believe is also folded from a Vietnamese bill.
Shrimp 1.0, Designed and Folded by Phạm Hoàng Tuấn
Instructions not available
In addition to the fantastic trees Alexandr Pak also designed a great paper money rose.
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
Here’s a great origami bike that’s folded from 7 20 Euro bills.
Bike, Designed and Folded by Daniel Chang
Instructions not available
To go along with the awesome trees and roses Alexandr Pak has designed these fantastic money cacti.
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
Here’s a fantastic little horse folded from one bill.
Horse, Designed by NGUYỄN Hùng Cường and Folded by Nguyen Nam Son
Instructions not available
Here’s a quite detailed little money insect which couldn’t have been easy to fold.
Designed and Folded by Phạm Hoàng Tuấn
Instructions not available
Graciela Vincente Rafales designed this fantastic little money dragon.
Dragon, Designed by Graciela Vincente Rafales and Folded by Luc MARNAT
Diagrams available in Pajarita Magazine 122
This is another model that couldn’t have been easy to fold out of a 2000VNĐ bill.
Designed and Folded by Phạm Hoàng Tuấn
Instructions not available
There are lots of beautiful goldfish that people have folded out of different bills, this excellent one is folded from a single 500 VNĐ bill.
Goldfish, Designed and Folded by Nguyen Nam Son
Instructions not available
This is another great looking tiny model that couldn’t have been easy to fold.
Designed and Folded by Phạm Hoàng Tuấn
Instructions not available
Here’s NGUYỄN Hùng Cường’s awesome origami horse again this time folded by the designer themself. It’s folded from a single 2000 VNĐ bill.
Horse, Designed and Folded by NGUYỄN Hùng Cường
Instructions not available
This is a fantastic and cute turtle design by Alexandr Pak.
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
This is an excellent guppy design and the colours in paper money bills are perfect for making the guppy’s tail.
Poecilia reticulata, Designed and Folded by Phạm Hoàng Tuấn
Instructions not available
This amazing little train is completely folded from a single U.S. dollar bill.
Train, Designed by Emmanuel Mooser and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Diagrams available in Moosers’ Train: The Origami Train Set
Here’s a great little excavator folded from a 500 ruble bill.
Excavator, Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
One of the most famous origami models out there is Eric Joisel’s dwarf. Here it is slightly modified and folded out of money.
Dwarf, Designed by Eric Joisel and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Diagrams available in Eric Joisel – The Magician of Origami
Here’s that great 2000 VNĐ origami horse again.
Horse, Designed by Nguyễn Hùng Cường and Folded by Nguyen Nam Son
Instructions not available
Our final model is this excellent and very colourful origami goldfish.
Designed and Folded by Alexandr Pak
Instructions not available
If you’re interested in folding some dollar bill origami yourself check out the book Easy Dollar Bill Origami or if you’re looking for more of a challenge check out the book Dollar Origami: 10 Origami Projects Including the Amazing Koi Fish which includes Won Park’s really awesome dollar koi.
