Off with his head! (file photo)

Top 4: Off with his head!

In the African country of Zaire, known today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the new government found itself in a cash shortage after the totalitarian regime of Joseph Mobutu was overthrown in 1997. To alleviate this problem, it used large stacks of old 20,000-zaire notes, simply punching out Mobutu's image, until the new currency was designed and printed.

Squirrel pelts (file photo)

Top 3: Squirrel pelts

Squirrel pelts were a common currency in medieval Russia. Apparently, animals' snouts, claws and ears were also used as legit change. If this really were the case, Russia might want to consider apologizing to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).