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 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...
1899 $1 Black Eagle Star Note Ser # *11220942B. PMG VF-25. This is a nice inexpensive, no problem Black Eagle star note for the type collector. It has...
A really decent 1899 $1 Eagle star in an uncommon FR#. This Fr-233* is a Type 2 star note. It has been graded as a PMG VF-25 and the serial number is ...
This Fr.-233* star note of a 1899 $1 Silver Certificate. It is circulated but it is all there. There are no rips, tears or pinholes. It is a Face Plat...
This is one of the key star notes in the 1899 Black Eagle Silver Certificate Star Collection. This is a Fr.-235* star note. The serial number is *1576...
Is this note actually upside down? This is one of the very highest graded large size Black Eagle inverts I have ever owned. It has never been cleaned ...
This is a set of Fr.-226a cut sheet of 4 consecutive notes. All are in Uncirculated condition and graded by PCGS. The last set of Un cut Fr.-226A to s...
Here is a uncommon Fr.-233* or a 1899 $1 Silver Certificate Black Eagle Star Note. This note has the Type 2 Face Plate. It is a good VF note with no r...
This is a neat set of eight consecutive serialized numbered Fr.-234 Black Eagles. The serial numbers are E111A to E888A. When you go to view this note...
This is a circulated example of the 1899 $1 Black Eagle Silver Certificate with a rare Inverted Face Error. The inverted serial number is M84016486A. ...
This is an amazing find as it is one of the lowest serial numbers known for a Fr.-224 1896 $1 Educational note. The serial number is a super two-digi...
While I was at the Rocky Mountain Coin Show in Denver on May 11th, 2014 I had the opportunity to acquire a complete set of $1, $2, and the $5 1896 Edu...
This is a very nice and original $1896 $2 Educational note. This Fr-247 example is the scarcer of the two 1896 $2 Educational notes. this is the Til...
Here is a stunning Superb GEM 1886 $2 Silver Certificate. This note is commonly referred to as a Hancock Note. It features the bust of Union General W...