Appearance
The silver certificate looks very similar to the $1 bill of the era. The major difference is the words ̶0;Silver Certificate̶1; above the presidential portrait. The bill also included an obligation statement that the bill can be exchanged for $1 in silver and that the bill is legal tender for ̶0;all debts public and private.̶1; They also have blue seals and serial numbers rather than the green found on normal bills.
Exchanging for Silver
Congress prohibited the exchange of silver certificates for silver coins in June 1968. Up until then, a silver certificate could be exchanged for a silver dollar coin. Despite the fact it can no longer be exchanged for hard coins, it can still be used as legal tender. A $1 silver certificate can be spent legally, just like any $1 bill.
Collectors Value
Silver certificates were produced for several decades and were a common form of money of the era. The bills produced in 1934 and 1935 were produced in the greatest number and have little premium value, above face value, as a collector̵7;s item. The 1935 silver certificates were produced in series A through H. All of the 1935 silver certificate series have about the same potential value.
Exceptions That Add Value
According to the Society of Paper Money Collectors, bills with interesting serial numbers can carry extra value. These include serial numbers with a large number of repetitive digits, serial numbers that read the same forward and backwards or very low serial numbers. These oddities can increase the value if they pique the interest of the collector.
Condition of Silver Certificates
The value of any collectible is determined by the condition of the item. A bill classified as uncirculated would have no folds, creases or wrinkles. A bill in very good condition will have worn and rounded corners and may have pinholes or even staple holes. A bill in fair condition is completely limp and may have missing pieces. Collectors use these classifications and others to determine the value of a silver certificate.