What Is A Silver Certificate Dollar Bill?

What is a silver certificate dollar bill? Silver certificate dollar bills have a unique history tied to the gold standard and silver mining in the United States.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Silver certificates were a type of representative money printed from 1878 to 1964 that allowed the bearer to redeem them for silver dollar coins.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what exactly silver certificates were, why they were created, and how they differed from other currencies. We’ll also dive into the key events around silver certificates including executive orders and legislation that changed their purpose.

Read on to learn more about these interesting and often overlooked pieces of U.S. monetary history.

Defining Silver Certificates

Silver Certificate Definition and Origins

Silver certificates were a form of paper currency issued by the United States government starting in 1878 and backed by silver bullion reserves. They earned the nickname “silver dollars” since they could be redeemed for raw silver.

The US government introduced silver certificates to appease citizens who believed adding silver coinage would spur inflation and economic growth.

Unlike Federal Reserve Notes used today, silver certificates were directly backed by silver held by the federal government. This gave citizens more trust in paper money. The certificates even stated, “This certifies that there have been deposited in the Treasury of the United States of America X silver dollars payable to the bearer on demand”.

Key Features of Silver Certificates vs Other Bills

Silver certificates have some distinct features compared to Federal Reserve Notes and coins:

They were made with a blue seal and serial number to distinguish them from other currencies.
Text on the face stated the denomination in “silver dollars” rather than just the dollar amount.
They were easily redeemable for raw silver bullion from the government upon demand.
The certificates did not say “In God We Trust” since they were issued before the motto was required on currency.

In contrast, today’s Federal Reserve Notes state they are legal tender rather than representing a claim on silver. Modern bills include much more advanced security features like color-shifting ink and watermarks to prevent counterfeiting.

But both older silver certificates and newer currency rely on the “full faith and credit” of the United States for their value.

Why Were Silver Certificates Created?

Tying Currency to Metals like Silver and Gold

Silver certificates were initially created in the late 19th century to tie paper currency to the value of precious metals like silver and gold. At the time, the US dollar was backed by both metals, with a fixed amount of silver or gold representing each dollar.

However, carrying around heavy silver and gold coins was cumbersome. Silver certificates allowed people to have paper money that could be redeemed for the equivalent value of silver coins. This made transactions easier while still linking the currency to tangible assets.

The Bland-Allison Act of 1878

A key reason silver certificates came about was the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. This law required the US Treasury to purchase between $2 million and $4 million worth of silver bullion every month to mint into coins. It aimed to boost declining silver prices and help silver miners in Western states.

As the government accumulated more silver, it began issuing silver certificates that citizens could redeem for the standard silver dollar coins. By backing paper money with silver, the goal was to make the currency more stable and rebuild confidence in the dollar after the financial upheavals of the Civil War era.

Silver certificates remained in circulation in the US well into the 20th century.

Changes to Silver Certificates Over Time

The Gold Standard Act of 1900

The Gold Standard Act of 1900 made revolutionary changes to American currency. It established gold as the only metal backing US currency. Previously, citizens could redeem paper currency for both gold and silver coins. After the act, only gold-backed US currency was.

However, the 1900 act allowed the US Treasury to continue issuing silver certificates – paper currency that could be redeemed for silver coins or bullion. So while most money became unsupported by silver, these silver certificates still gave citizens a way to exchange paper for the precious metal.

Issuing Silver Certificates for Silver Bullion

Later, the government issued silver certificates in exchange for silver bullion rather than coins. Citizens deposited pure silver bars and ingots to the US Treasury and received silver certificates of equal value to the deposited bullion.

The certificates functioned as a more convenient way to transfer the value of large silver bars and ingots. Rather than physically handing over cumbersome silver bullion, people could transfer the value via paper certificates.

Executive Orders and the Great Depression

In the early 1930s, the Great Depression threatened deflation. President Roosevelt issued an executive order forbidding the hoarding of gold coins and bullion, effectively taking the US off the gold standard. The government collected gold in exchange for paper dollars.

However, Roosevelt’s executive order exempted silver bullion and foreign silver coins from the hoarding ban. The US government wanted to expand silver currency to fight deflation. This increased reliance on redeemable silver certificates rather than non-redeemable dollars.

The End of Silver Certificates in the 1960s

The government stopped issuing new silver certificates in the 1960s after silver shortages. With the booming electronics industry competing for silver demand, the US Treasury lacked the silver to back additional paper certificates.

In 1968, Congress passed legislation to remove all silver backing from US currency. With monetary silver in short supply, they eliminated silver certificates. Despite no longer being redeemable for silver, existing silver certificates continued circulating as standard paper dollars.

Identifying and Valuing Silver Certificates Today

Key Features to Look for When Identifying Originals

There are a few key features to examine when determining if a silver certificate dollar bill is an original from the late 1800s to mid-1900s versus a reproduction. Check if the serial numbers and seals are sharp and printed.

Examine the paper’s texture and the absence of red and blue fibers to verify the age as modern reproductions often use newer materials. An original portrait and back design are also indicators of authenticity.

Carefully inspect for the signature and detailed artwork as reproductions commonly miss intricate aspects.

Grading Condition and Rarity

The collector value of silver certificates depends heavily on the bill’s physical condition. Experts use a 1-70 grade scale with 70 being perfect. Damage, folds, stains, and tears all lower the grade and value dramatically.

Rarity is also crucial as some silver certificate series with specific year dates and seal types are considerably more scarce. The 1895 “Educational” $1 Silver Certificate and 1934 $500 and $1000 bills in good shape are prized by collectors for their age and remarkably low production numbers.

Current Collector and Resale Value

While most silver certificates from circulation have modest worth, some particular issues such as high denomination bills trade for thousands up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The famous inverted “upside down” Series 1935G $1 bill has sold at auction for over $20,000.

Many series from 1928 and 1934 carry strong premiums as well. Broadly speaking, collector interest and prices trend upward over time. However, with some rare pieces setting new records, silver certificates remain an intriguing collector niche with upside value potential.