Different types of Silver Certificates

Between the years of 1878 and 1964 the United States Federal Reserve printed Silver Certificates in a variety of sizes, designs, and values.

For about 90 years, the United States Federal Reserve printed many variations and series of silver certificates in various sizes, designs, and denominations. The most common of these “stumbled upon” are the one dollar silver certificates and five dollar silver certificates of the early and mid 1900’s. Many 10 dollar 20 dollar and other denomination bills are also still traded, sold, and bought through current auctions and dealers.

Silver Certificate Values, Worths, and Bills

What is a Silver Certificate?

When America adopted the gold standard, the Silver Certificate allowed people to carry paper currency that was not based on the value of gold.

Due to the Fourth Coinage Act of 1873, the United States was placed onto the gold standard. All printed paper Federal Reserve Notes were now based on gold reserves held by the government.

Many people were upset with the act, and preferred that the currency be based on the value of silver instead. In response to the public outrage the feds created the first silver certificate in 1878. Now citizens had the ability to carry paper currency that was redeemable in silver dollar coins and changed in value as the price of the precious metal increased over time.

What’s the value of silver certificates?

It’s difficult to put an exact price that you’d expect on these certificates because of the length of time they’ve been printed (over 90 years). We’ve been observing the prices they’ve been selling at for over 10 years, as well as the price gold and silver is selling at for the same amount of time. The current trend is silver certificates raising in price at about half the rate as scrap silver and scrap gold sells for. As many people that typically invested in silver coins and bullion are being pushed out of the market by raising prices, many collectors are turning to paper money as an investment (especially with all the turmoil in the stock market.

We can say that many of the larger printings with years in the early to mid 1900’s have lackluster appeal to investors, only selling at 1.5 to 5 times their face value without professional grading. The earlier 1900’s and late 1800’s silver certificates are selling however at prices in excess of 40 to 50 times face value in many cases without grading. The earliest large sized certificate of the 1896 series for example can name any price due to scarcity and demand. We suggest having any of these particular items appraised and graded by a professional outfit. You’ll make your money back every time by doing this.

The 1896 certificate command some of the highest values found at auctions and dealers worldwide. If you find one of these you’ll make money.

Due to it’s rarity, the one dollar silver certificate of 1899 has been sold for it’s weight in gold. That’s pretty good for a small piece of paper.

The five dollar Indian head silver dollar is one of the highest traded and sold silver silver certificates recently on the auction scene.

The 1923 silver dollar was the first of the “normal” sized silver dollars that we are accustomed to today. First to feature the bust of George Washington

The 1928 silver certificate was valued slightly less than it once was probably from it’s lackluster appearance and large printings.

The 1934 five dollar certificate is a highly sought after monetary and has been sold at auction every time in auctions that we’ve observed.