Last U.S. Note & Silver Certificate

All of today’s paper currency is Federal Reserve Notes with green Treasury seals.  In the past, though, Americans used several different types of currency, and each had a distinctively colored Treasury seal and serial numbers.  This collection features the last two different types of currency with different colored seals.

The last $5 United States Note was issued in the Series of 1963. Like a modern $5 Federal Reserve Note, the $5 United States Note features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on the back.

Unlike modern currency, though, the $5 Legal Tender Note has a distinctive red Treasury seal and red serial numbers on the front, which immediately sets it apart and makes it a treasured collector’s item. The last $5 Legal Tender Notes were withdrawn by the government and destroyed in the 1960’s, leaving few for collectors and historians.  They have been unavailable in circulation for about half a century. $1 Silver Certificates were last made in the Series of 1957 (over 55 years ago).  Each note was backed by $1 in silver bullion in the U.S. Treasury, and holders of the notes could once exchange them for the silver.

The $1 Silver Certificate has a blue Treasury seal and blue serial numbers.  Like modern $1 bills, the $1 Silver Certificate features the familiar portrait of George Washington.  Silver Certificates were last redeemable for silver in 1968, but they remain legal tender.  Most of these historic $1 Silver Certificates were worn out or destroyed in circulation half a century ago or more.  Those withdrawn by the U.S. government were destroyed.

Together, these two notes make a fascinating and historic collection of obsolete and rarely-seen currency.