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 scarce Fr-233* or commonly refered to as a 1899 $1 Black Eagle STAR in a nice PMG VF-30 Holder. The 1899 $1 Black Eagle is one of the most p...
This is an outstanding 1896 $1 Educational Silver Certificate. This is one of those notes that I believe is truly under graded. Please look closely at...
They do not come any nicer than this one. Here is the famous 1896 $1 Educational note in Superb GEM condition. Look close and you will see perfect mar...
This is a very nice example of the 18936 $1 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the Educational note. It is part of the 3 note series of 1896 c...
This is a very nice 1896 $1 Education note which was part of a complete set of Educational's I just purchased at the Rocky Mountain Denver show held M...
This 1896 $1 Educational comes as close to a GEM66 note as you will ever see. The only thing that kept it from that lofty grade that I can tell is the...
This is one of the Black Eagle stars you never see anywhere. The FR-232 star has a total population of only 46 in all grades. there are 5 UNCs known. ...
This is a very nice 1891 $1 Silver Certificate commonly referred to as the Martha Note because Martha Washington in on the front. This is the only US ...
A nice and decent large size 1923 $1 SC star note at an incrediable price. See large scans. This is the note the winner of the contest will recieve. G...
This is a solid problem free Extra Fine Fr-273*, 1923 $1 Silver Certificate Star that has been graded as a PMG EF-40. The serial number is *18397606D....
This is one outstanding 1923 $1 Legal Tender Star note housed in a PMG GEM 65EPQ holder. It is not often you find large size stars in GEM Uncirculated...
You gotta see this "Presentation Set" of 10 Black Eagle Silver Certificates. The serial numbers are R10A to R100A. They are all graded from GEM PCGS-6...
This is a super 3-digit 1899 $1 Black Eagle Silver Certificate. The serial number is M333A and it is in a PCGS-64 holder. I would call it a solid seri...