Like silver and gold coins, U.S. silver certificates also are highly collectible. And like coins, their prices are a product of condition and rarity. If you are in possession of a CU, (crisp uncirculated) or an AU (almost uncirculated) $1, 1935 Series-E Silver Certificate in either of these conditions, you will have little trouble selling it. If it is a "star" note, meaning there is a small blue star next to the serial number, it will be worth considerably more.
Use your currency catalog to determine the condition and potential value of your silver certificate.
Contact a currency dealer and ask if he is buying silver certificates. If dealers are in your immediate area, it may be faster to visit them in person.
Describe the $1, 1935 Series-E Silver Certificate you are interested in selling. If you are unable to accurately determine its condition, the dealer may ask you to fax an image, or email a photo to him. By dealing in person with a local currency buyer, you can avoid this.
Wait to receive the dealer's offer. Based upon the catalog value, if you receive an acceptable offer, agree to it.
Tips
"Star" notes are replacement notes the B.E.P. (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) prints to replace a note which was damaged during the printing process. They are highly valued by collectors.
Handle your silver certificate carefully. Oil or dirt transferred from your fingers will decrease its value. Keep it flattened in an envelope or transparent plastic sleeve. Do not expose it to excessive amounts of direct sunlight. This will cause the inks to fade.
Warnings
The 1935, $1 silver certificate went through a total of eight printings (1935, and Series A-through-G). If your note is in pristine condition, it has collector value. However, if it is worn, creased, wrinkled, soiled/stained, or partially torn, it will have little value to a dealer or collector. Billions of these notes were issued. If yours has been exposed to the ravages of time, it might be advisable to retain it as a keepsake.
References
- CoinSute Buyers: Got Old Coins You Want to Sell?
- Coins International: U.S. Paper Money
- Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing. "BEP History Fact Sheet: Silver Certificates." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- U.S. Department of Commerce. "The Monetary Use of Silver in 1933." Page 2. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Dickson H. Leavens. "Silver Money." Pages 18-19, 24 and 36. Principia Press, 1939. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Dickson H. Leavens. "Silver Money." Pages 36-39. Principia Press, 1939. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- U.S. Government Printing Office. "Public Law 88-36: An act to repeal certain legislation relating to the purchase of sliver, and for other purposes." Page 2. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Federal Register. "Volume 29, Issues 43-63." Page 3819. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- U.S. Mint. "Treasury Publishes Procedures for Exchanging Silver Certificates for Silver Bullion." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Robert Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, Arthur Friedberg. "Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide with Valuations." Page 74. Coin & Currency Institute, 2010. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Robert Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, Arthur Friedberg. "Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide with Valuations." Page 187. Coin & Currency Institute, 2010. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury. "Silver Certificates." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Paper Money Guaranty. "PMG Paper Money Grading Scale." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Old Currency Values. "Series of 1957 $1 Silver Certificate Star Notes – Values and Pricing." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Variety & Errors. "Fancy Serial Numbers and Collectible Bills Worth Lots of Money." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Heritage Auctions. "How Much is a One Dollar Silver Certificate Worth?" Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Littleton Coin Company. "1896 $1 Silver Certificate Educational Series." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Littleton Coin Company. "1896 $1 Silver Certificate Educational Series - Grade: Very Choice Uncirculated 64." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- IC Coin. "U.S. 1899 Black Eagle $1 Silver Banknote Certificate Very Good." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Littleton Coin Company. "Series 1899 $1 Large-Size Silver Certificate, Black Eagle - Grade: Gem Uncirculated Premium." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Silver Recyclers. "1928 One Dollar Silver Certificate." Accessed march 8, 2020.
- Silver Recyclers. "1934 One Dollar Silver Certificate." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Wheaton Precious Metals. "2019/2020 Guidebook." Pages 3-5. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Silvercorp Metals. "The Premier Silver Producer in China." Page 3. Accessed March 8, 2020.
- First Majestic Silver Corp. "About the Company." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- Hecla Mining Company. "About Us." Accessed March 8, 2020.
- SSR Mining. "Puna Operations." Accessed March 8, 2020.
Tips
- "Star" notes are replacement notes the B.E.P. (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) prints to replace a note which was damaged during the printing process. They are highly valued by collectors.
- Handle your silver certificate carefully. Oil or dirt transferred from your fingers will decrease its value. Keep it flattened in an envelope or transparent plastic sleeve. Do not expose it to excessive amounts of direct sunlight. This will cause the inks to fade.
Warnings
- The 1935, $1 silver certificate went through a total of eight printings (1935, and Series A-through-G). If your note is in pristine condition, it has collector value. However, if it is worn, creased, wrinkled, soiled/stained, or partially torn, it will have little value to a dealer or collector. Billions of these notes were issued. If yours has been exposed to the ravages of time, it might be advisable to retain it as a keepsake.
Writer Bio
Rich Finzer earned his boating license in 1960 and started his writing career in 1969. His writing has appeared in "Northern Breezes," "Southwinds," "Living Aboard," "Good Old Boat," "Latitudes & Attitudes," "Small Craft Advisor," "Life in the Finger Lakes," "BackHome" and "Dollar Stretcher" magazines. His maple syrup has won awards in competition. Rich has a Bachelor of Science in communications from Ithaca College.