Classroom participation is an important and frequently used pedagogical strategy. This paper examines how awarding students with course currency, bills that are redeemable for bonus points at the end of the term, affects class participation and students' understanding of the material. The research uses surveys and data analysis to examine the effectiveness of using course currency. It finds that course currency increases students' participation, improves students' grades and is generally liked by students. Course currency can also be effectively used in simulations of socioeconomic institutions. (Contains 2 tables.)