Dollars have some amount of intrinsic value: they are the only currency accepted by the US government to pay any taxes due to them. Also, by force of law, anyon

Dollars have some amount of intrinsic value: they are the only currency accepted by the US government to pay any taxes due to them. Also, by force of law, anyone living in the US must accept dollars as a way to settle a debt that is due to them, which also gives them some intrinsic value.