Silver Certificate United States Currency

One of the first thing I remember collecting as a kid was coins.  I mostly collected Lincoln cents and had nearly a complete collection when I stopped.  But aside from that, I did collect other coins and occasionally some paper money.  In the 1970's, it was not uncommon to still find silver certificates in change.  So, when I found one, I would stash it away in my coin collecting box.  A silver certificate is just what you think it would be; a paper note backed by the United States Treasury with silver.

If you look at the front of the bill, the text on the note actually said,

THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE IS ON DEPOSIT IN THE TREASURY OF

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ONE DOLLAR

IN SILVER PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND

Silver certificates were issued by the US Treasury for many years.  Some of the most attractive bills, the ones that make this hobby so interesting, were printed in the later part of the 19th century.  The 1896 $1, $2, and $5 notes are spectacular bills.  In 1899, a new series was created...also featuring beautiful designs.  Shown here is an 1899 $1 silver certificate.

This particular bill has been graded by one of the currency grading organizations, Currency Grading and Authentication, Inc.  There is another organization called Paper Money Guarantee which is, for one reason or another, regarded more highly for reasons that are not entirely clear to me.

If you are interested in getting into this hobby, the Official Red Book Guide Book of United States Paper Money is absolutely essential.  It describes all US paper currency and lists their designation numbers (Friedberg Numbers) from 1860 to present.  In the mean time...next time you have a moment...take a look at the paper money you use each day.  There is a lot going on on a paper note, and they really are pretty nice to look at, even today.

Until next time...