this statute means that all united states money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. there is no federal statute saying a person or organization "must" accept currency or coins as payment for goods and/or services. private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash. but there might be a state law which says otherwise. for example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. in addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.