Money 2.50 Pyramid

money two fifty pyramid
This origami $2.50 Pyramid is so called because it was originally made with one $2 bill and one 50¢ coin. Together that makes $2.50. The hardest part may be finding a clean, crisp $2 bill. Sometimes banks will carry freshly minted money in late December.

This model was designed by Denny North and you can see his video here.

Instructions for Origami $2.50 Pyramid

money two fifty pyramid

Step 1:

Fold the dollar bill in half lengthwise. Unfold.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 2:

Fold the dollar bill in half (top to bottom).

money two fifty pyramid

Step 3:

Using the crease made in step 1, fold down the top corners so they meet in the middle.

money two fifty pyramid
Unfold.
money two fifty pyramid

Step 4:

Make an inside reverse fold: lift up the top-layer of the right-side of the dollar bill.

money two fifty pyramid
Push down the top-corner.
money two fifty pyramid
Press down flat completely.

money two fifty pyramid
Swivel the flap back to the right side.
money two fifty pyramid

Step 5:

Repeat the inside reverse fold on the left-side of the model.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 6:

Swivel the top-right layer towards the left once more.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 7:

Fold down the top corners towards the center so you form a steep pyramid shape.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 8:

Swivel one layer back towards the right side of the model.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 9:

Repeat on the left side of the model: fold the top-left layer towards the right.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 10:

Fold down the top corners to get a steep pyramid shape.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 11:

Swivel the flap back to the left side.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 12:

Fold up the top-layer of the model. Make the fold as high as it can go without tearing the dollar bill. The layers underneath will dictate how far up you can fold.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 13:

Mountain fold the bottom layer.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 14:

Fold in the bottom edges of the model towards the center as shown.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 15:

Turn the model over.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 16:

Repeat step 14 on this side of the model: fold in the bottom edges towards the center.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 17:

Rotate the model so it stands upright.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 18:

Pull the flaps away from one another.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 19:

Pinch the folds made in step 14 & 16 so they don’t unravel. Pull the flaps apart as far as they can go.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 20:

This is how the model will look like. Note that the center section points upwards like a pyramid. Turn the model over.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 21:

Fold up the bottom flap. Make the fold at the junction where the model begins to get thick due to the layers.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 22:

Fold down the top flap. Try to make the folds so the top and bottom sections are the same size.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 23:

Slide in a half-dollar coin.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 24:

Fold the side flaps over the coin and tuck it under the pyramid.

money two fifty pyramid

Step 25:

Try to make the sides the same size so the base is square with parallel and perpendicular edges.

money two fifty pyramid
Done!

money two fifty pyramid money two fifty pyramid

Left: $2.50 Pyramid if you started with the green-side of the dollar bill facing up.
Right: $2.50 Pyramid if you started with the black-side of the dollar bill facing up.