The Value of Silver Certificate Dollar Bills

Large-Size Silver Certificates

• The early silver certificates are known as “large size” silver certificates or “horse blankets.” These bills are larger than the ones in circulation today, as they measure 3 1/4 by 7 1/2 inches. Many large silver certificates from the 1800s can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on condition. The most common large-size silver certificate is the 1923 blue seal $1 silver certificate, which features a portrait of George Washington that is similar to today’s dollar bills. These silver certificates can be worth $10 to $100 apiece, depending on condition.

Small-Size One Dollar Silver Certificates

• The standard-size bills that we use today are known as “small size” bills. Small-size $1 silver certificates were first issued in 1928. They have a blue seal to the right of Washington’s portrait and the words “Silver Certificate” printed in a black bar across the top. The 1928 and 1934 bills are often referred to as “funny backs” because of unique design of the word “one” on the back, which people often liken to play money. These bills are worth $20 and up, depending on condition. Other $1 silver certificates were issued in 1935 and 1957. These bills are worth only slightly more than face value--around $1.25 to $4 apiece, depending on condition.

Five and Ten Dollar Silver Certificates

• Five dollar silver certificates were issued in 1934 and 1953. The design is similar to the more modern designs of $5 bills with the portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the center. Five dollar silver certificates feature a blue seal to the right of Lincoln’s portrait and the words “Silver Certificate” in a black bar on the top of the bill. Ten dollar silver certificates, first issued in 1933, feature a portrait of Alexander Hamilton in the center and a blue seal to the right of Hamilton’s portrait. Like the $1 and $5 silver certificates, the words “Silver Certificate” are printed in a black bar along the top. These $5 and $10 certificates are worth anywhere from 10 to 30 percent over face value in circulated condition, with crisp uncirculated bills being worth more.

Star Notes

• Star notes are bills on which there is a star printed next to the serial number. This is to signify that a bill was damaged during printing and another bill with the same serial number was printed. Silver certificate star notes can be worth about double the amount of the standard bills.

Other Rare Varieties

• Rare varieties of the 1935 $1 silver certificates include the Hawaii and North Africa notes. There are also North Africa $5 and $10 silver certificates. These bills were issued during World War II to troops serving in Hawaii and North Africa as a way to distinguish them from the bills used on the mainland. This was so the government could demonetize the bills if enemy countries seized large amounts of them. The Hawaii silver certificates feature a brown seal instead of the common blue seal, while the North Africa certificates feature a yellow seal. These bills can command a significantly higher value than the standard silver certificates, depending on condition.