Acts of Congress dated Feb. 28, 1878, and Aug. 4, 1886 authorized the Large-Size Silver Certificates. There were five issues from Series 1878 to Series 1923.
The first issue, Series 1878 and 1880, consisted of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 denominations. The face side states that "There have been deposited with the Treasurer of the United States at Washington, D.C. payable at his office to the bearer on demand ... Silver Dollars." "Certificate of Deposit" is inscribed on the notes. All certificates of the 1878 series and one of the notes in the 1880 series are countersigned by assistant treasurers of the United States at New York and bear the signatures of G.W. Scofield and James Gilfillan.
The second issue of Silver Certificates consists of Series 1886, 1891 and 1908. The 1886 series was printed in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20. The 1891 series includes these, but added denominations of $50, $100 and $1,000. Only the $10 note was issued in Series 1908. On the face of Series 1886, 1891 and 1908 notes appears the wording "This certifies that there have been deposited in the Treasury of the United States ... Silver Dollars payable to the Bearer on Demand."
The third issue of Silver Certificates, Series 1896, is one of the most popular and deemed by collectors as the most beautiful series ever produced by the United States. Titled the "Educational Series," the notes were designed or redesigned by Thomas F. Morris, designer and chief of the Engraving Division of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Other designers of this famed series were Will H. Low, $1, Edwin H. Blashfield, $2, and Walter Shirlaw $5. Known engravers of the series were Charles Schlecht and George F.C. Smillie.
The fourth issue, Series 1899, was released in three denominations, $1 (The Black Eagle), $2 (The Agriculture Note) and $5 (The Chief Note). The face design of the $1 features the American Eagle with portraits of Lincoln and Grant. The $2 note portrays Washington between figures representing Mechanics and Agriculture, and the $5 note features Ta-to-ka-in-yan-ka, Running Antelope, a Sioux Indian. George F.C. Smillie engraved the design in November of 1899.
The fifth issue of Silver Certificates, Series 1923, consists of two denominations, $1 and $5. Washington is portrayed on the $1 and Lincoln on the $5. On the latter note, Lincoln is shown in the center of a circular design and therefore this note is sometimes called the "Porthole" note.
The
Bureau of Engraving and Printing's (BEP)
takes you to the official government site of the BEP
for some interesting information and facts on all of
our US currency.
US Papermoney will take you to a site that
is full of information on everything you ever wanted
to know about our US currency. Almost everything
anyway. Very cool site!
The American Numismatics Association (ANA) is a
professional organization for those who want to
further learn about US coins and currency.
PMG and
PCGS are the only two TRUE independent
currency-grading services available. I highly
recommend these two companies for those of you who
want to get their currency certified and graded for
insurance purposes or simply, a peace of mind.
This is a very nice 1899 $ Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the Chief Note. It is one of the most collected US large size notes along with t...
This is the famous 1899 $5 Silver Certificate or commonly referred to as the Chief note. The serial number is N61198735 and is in a PMG-VF25 holder. T...
ONLY 7 KNOWN TO EXIST!!! The 1899 $5 Chief star note,FR-279* is the Second Finest Known and rarest of all Chief star notes with only 7 known. The Chi...
Here is a spectacular looking Gem Porthole. PCGS has graded this beautiful Portholes a GEM-65 with the "Premium Paper Quality". Portholes are in high ...
This is the famous 1923 $5 Silver Certificate also known as the Porthole Note because of a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln inside of a circular ...
This is the famous 1923 $5 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the Porthole Note because of the circular design around Abraham Lincoln's head. ...
1923 $5 Silver certificate commonly referred to as the Porthole Note. it has been graded as PCGS-58. The serial number is A2547199B. You won't be able...
Fr.-287 This is the famous 1880 $10 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the Morris note or the "Black Back" note because of the black coloring ...
This is a FR-294 or it is also known as the Tombstone Note. It features a bust of Thomas A Hendricks, Vice President of the United States from March 4...
This is one of those named notes that everyone likes. This 1891 $10 Silver Certificate is commonly referred to as the famous Tombstone Note. The face ...
This is one of those named notes that everyone likes. This 1891 $10 Silver Certificate is commonly referred to as the famous Tombstone Note. The face ...
This is the famous 1891 $10 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the “Hendricks Note or the Tombstone Note". Thomas A Hendricks was Vice-Preside...
This is a Fr.-301 1891 $10 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the TOMBSTONE note. The serial number is E33094158and it resides in a PCGS VF-25...
POP2/2 finer! This is the famous 1908 $10 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the “Hendricks Note or the Tombstone Note". Thomas A Hendricks wa...
I had to do a lot of looking and searching to find this beautiful 1908 $10 Tombstone Silver Certificate. To find one in a mid grade with the PPQ on it...
This is the famous 1886 $20 Silver certifiate commonly refered to as the Manning Note or the Diamond Back note because of the back design is in a diam...
This note 1891 $1 treasury Note displays "Great Margins". This note has no problems and strictly un-molested. A very nice circulated type-note. There ...
This is one of those notes that I have never owned. It is the famous 1880 $50 Silver Certificates. This note is new to the census as it was just recen...