How to Determine a Silver Certificate's Worth

Examine the date and the size of your silver certificate. Early silver certificates released before 1928 are larger than the later silver certificates and bills used today. These silver certificates, also known as "horseblankets," can be significantly more valuable than standard-sized silver certificates.

Look at the front of the bill for unusual features. If there is a black eagle on your large-sized silver certificate instead of a portrait of George Washington, it is an 1899 black eagle silver certificate, which is very popular among collectors. If you notice a star next to the serial number on the front of your bill, it is a star note and is worth a little more than a bill without a star.

Check the back of your silver certificate for oddities. If the back of your 1928 or 1935 silver certificate has the word "one" in simple printing that looks like play money, it is known as a "funny back" silver certificate and is worth more than standard silver certificates.

Find the seal on the front of the silver certificates. Most silver certificates have a blue seal. If your silver certificate has a brown seal, check the back of it and you will likely find the word "Hawaii" printed on it. This is a Hawaii silver certificate and can be worth quite a bit more than a standard silver certificate. If the seal is yellow, it is a North Africa silver certificate and is worth more than a standard silver certificate.

Study the condition of the silver certificate. If it looks as if it has been folded several times and handled a lot, it is in circulated condition and will not hold as much collector value as nicer bills. Silver certificates that are crisp and show very little wear can be valuable as collectibles.

Get a price guide to determine the value of your silver certificate. One of the most widely used price guides is "The Official Red Book of United States Paper Money," which lists every silver certificate and its value in varying degrees of condition.