Can I still redeem silver certificates for silver?

No. The government ended silver redemption in 1968. Silver certificates are now collectibles but remain legal tender at face value. You can spend them like regular dollars or sell to collectors.

What are silver certificates worth?

Common 1935-1957 series are worth $1.25-$5 circulated, $5-$15 uncirculated. Older 1928 series are worth $15-$150. Star notes add 50-200% to base values.

How do I know if my bill is a silver certificate?

Check for a blue Treasury seal and blue serial numbers. The text above the portrait should read 'SILVER CERTIFICATE' instead of 'FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE'.

Are all blue seal bills silver certificates?

Yes. The blue Treasury seal was used exclusively for silver certificates. Modern Federal Reserve Notes have green seals, and United States Notes (now discontinued) had red seals.

Published: January 6, 2025

Value Guide

Complete Silver Certificate Guide

Scan blue seal bills to identify silver certificates and discover their value.

What Is a Silver Certificate?

Silver certificates were a form of paper currency issued by the United States from 1878 to 1964. Unlike today's Federal Reserve Notes, silver certificates were backed by and redeemable for actual silver bullion held in the U.S. Treasury. The most recognizable feature is the blue Treasury seal, which distinguishes them from modern bills.

Silver certificate value guide U.S. Currency Education Program

Blue Seal

All silver certificates have a distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers.

Silver Backing

Each certificate represented a claim on silver stored at the Treasury.

Legal Tender

Still valid as legal tender at face value today.

No Redemption

Silver redemption ended in 1968. They're now collectibles.

How to Identify a Silver Certificate

Distinguishing silver certificates from modern currency is straightforward once you know what to look for. Here are the key identifying features:

Counterfeit detection guide How to check if money is real

Blue Seal

Look for the blue Treasury seal on the right side (modern bills have green seals).

Blue Serial Numbers

Serial numbers are printed in blue ink, not green.

"Silver Certificate"

Text above the portrait reads 'SILVER CERTIFICATE' not 'FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE'.

Redemption Text

Early versions promise 'ONE SILVER DOLLAR' payable to bearer.

Scan and identify bills instantly with CashScan.

Free Download

Silver Certificate Value by Series

Values vary significantly by series year, condition, and whether it's a star note. Here are typical values for the most common silver certificates:

PCGS currency grading PMG paper money grading Currency grading guide

Series	Circulated Value	Uncirculated Value	Star Note Premium
1928 $1	$15-$30	$50-$150	+$20-$100
1928A-1928E $1	$12-$25	$40-$100	+$15-$75
1934 $1	$3-$8	$15-$35	+$10-$30
1935 $1	$2-$5	$10-$25	+$5-$20
1935A-1935H $1	$1.50-$4	$8-$20	+$5-$15
1957 $1	$1.25-$3	$5-$12	+$3-$10
1957A-1957B $1	$1.25-$3	$5-$10	+$3-$10
1934 $5	$8-$15	$30-$75	+$20-$50
1953 $5	$6-$12	$25-$50	+$15-$40
1934 $10	$15-$25	$50-$100	+$30-$75
1953 $10	$12-$20	$40-$80	+$25-$60

Most Valuable Silver Certificates

While most common silver certificates are worth modest premiums, certain varieties command significant collector prices:

Star notes value guide Rare dollar bills worth money

1928 $1 First Series

The first small-size silver certificates. Worth $50-$150+ uncirculated.

Star Notes

Any silver certificate star note adds 50-200% to value.

1935A Hawaii $1

Emergency WWII issue with 'HAWAII' overprint. Worth $25-$200.

1935A Yellow Seal

North Africa WWII issue. Worth $30-$150.

Large Size ($1+)

Pre-1928 'horse blanket' certificates are valuable ($100-$1000+).

Experimental Issues

R and S experimental series from 1935A are scarce.

Scan and identify bills instantly with CashScan.

Free Download

Silver Certificate History

Understanding the history adds context to your collection. Silver certificates evolved significantly over their 86-year history:

Large size currency guide Bureau of Engraving and Printing How to start collecting paper money

1878-1923

Large-size 'horse blanket' certificates issued in multiple denominations.

1928

Small-size certificates introduced, matching modern bill dimensions.

1934-1957

Most common series still found in circulation today.

1942-1945

Special Hawaii and North Africa wartime emergency issues.

1963

Last silver certificates printed (1957B was final $1 series).

1968

Silver redemption ended, and certificates became pure collectibles.

Features

How CashScan Helps With Silver Certificates

Blue Seal Detection

Instantly identify silver certificates by their distinctive blue Treasury seal.

Series Identification

Identify all series from 1928 to 1957B silver certificates.

Star Note Premiums

Detect silver certificate star notes worth extra to collectors.

Value Ranges

Get value estimates for circulated and uncirculated conditions.

Try CashScan free to scan, identify, and value your bills.

Free Download

FAQ

Identify Silver Certificates FAQ

Silver certificates were U.S. paper currency issued 1878-1964, backed by and redeemable for silver. They have a distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers, unlike modern Federal Reserve Notes with green seals.