Historical Currency

Gold Certificates
Gold Certificates were authorized by legislation in 1863 and were first produced two years later in 1865. Although there were nine issues of the certificates, only four circulated among the public. This was because Gold Certificates generally served the needs of banks and other financial institutions in settling their gold accounts.

The most colorful of all United States paper currency and arguably the most attractive, Gold Certificates were issued in denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, and $10,000. Additionally, a $100,000 Gold Certificate was issued in 1934, but only circulated among Federal Reserve Banks.

Silver Certificates
In accordance with an act of Congress on February 28, 1878, the Department of the Treasury issued to the public Silver Certificates which could be exchanged for silver dollars. On March 25, 1964, the Secretary of the Treasury announced that Silver Certificates would no longer be redeemable for silver dollars. Subsequently, another act of Congress on June 24, 1967 provided that Silver Certificates could be exchanged for silver bullion for a period of one year, until June 24,1968. Even though Silver Certificates are no longer printed, those which remain outstanding are still legal tender and can be spent just like a Federal Reserve Note.

Hawaii Overprints
Notes bearing a ¡°Hawaii¡± overprint were used during World War II to ensure identification if they should have fallen into enemy hands. Types of these notes (with brown seals and serial numbers) included $1 Silver Certificates and $5, $10, and $20 Federal Reserve Notes. It was not until October 21, 1944 that all currency restrictions were revoked and normal monetary conditions returned to that area.

Wonder how much your old or rare currencies are worth? Don¡¯t take them to the Department of the Treasury because they redeem all genuine United States currency at face value only. Instead, go online and look for a private collector or dealer.