Hobbies And Interests
Issues
The first issue of silver certificates comprised the series of 1878 and 1880. The bills were issued in denominations between $1 and $1,000 dollars. The second issue was composed of three series--1886, 1891 and 1908. There are several identifiers on these certificates: The Treasury seals on the the series of 1886, for example, are a rose red. The dollar bill in both the 1886 and 1891 series features a portrait of Martha Washington, the only American woman who has ever appeared on U.S. currency.
Later Certificates and Issues
The third issue consisted of the $1, $2 and $5 silver certificates issued as the Series of 1896. Considered by many currency collectors to be some of the most beautiful examples of U.S. paper money, it was nicknamed the "Educational Series". All three bills have rose-red Treasury seals. The Fourth Issue consisted of the Series of 1899. These bills were also printed in $1, $2 and $5 denominations, and each carries a blue Treasury seal. The last of the large silver certificates, collectively nicknamed "horse blanket" notes, consisted of the Series of 1923. The bills were issued in $1 and $5 denominations and also bear blue Treasury seals.
Large Seals
All large notes bear rose-red or blue Treasury seals, but the locations and sizes vary. For example, the seals on the "Educational Series" notes are red and located in the lower right-hand corner. The blue seals on the series of 1923, are to the left of the center portraits, centered between the portrait and the edge of the bill. They are about the same size as a quarter, while the "Educational Series" seals are smaller--about the size of a nickel. On the bills of the Series of 1886, the rose-red seals are located to either the left or right of the portraits and, at about the size of a silver dollar, are very prominent. A currency catalog--available at libraries and book stores--can be a big help when trying to identify the various issues and series, as they will be listed in separate sections. You might also visit websites of dealers and others associated with the trade, such as Littleton Coin Company and Jake's Marketplace.
Small Certificates
From 1928 to 1957, silver certificates were issued only in $1, $5 and $10 denominations. The notes were issued in the series of 1928, 1934, 1935, 1935A, 1953 and 1957. As the years progressed, there were minor changes made to the face of bills, but the portraits of Washington, Lincoln, and Hamilton remained unchanged. No silver certificates have been issued since 1957.
Small Seals
With two notable exceptions, all small silver certificates have blue Treasury seals located to the right of the center portrait, centered between it and the edge of the bill. Again, consulting a currency catalog such as "The Official Red Book: A Guidebook of United States Paper Money;" by Arthur and Ira Freidberg, can help you identify any small bills. As silver certificates have not been issued since 1957, the book will always contain "up-to-date" information.
Unique Seals
During WWII, in an effort to prevent the redemption of silver certificates by enemy forces, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing issued $1 silver certificates with special brown or yellow seals. The brown-seal notes were distributed to U.S. troops stationed in the Pacific Theater. The yellow-seal notes were distributed to U.S. forces fighting in North Africa and Sicily. In crisp, uncirculated condition, they are always in demand by serious currency collectors. Your currency catalog will undoubtedly contain color photos of these two unique certificates.
Common Elements
Every silver certificate ever issued has the words "silver certificate" printed somewhere on its face. All those issued through 1928 state they are redeemable for silver dollars. However, as the U.S. ceased minting silver dollars shortly thereafter, all series from 1934 on indicate they are redeemable "in silver", meaning in either silver dollars or silver bullion if presented for redemption at the U.S. Treasury. That redemption policy ended in 1968.