Obsolete Bank Notes

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. One of the most unusual types of paper currency was United States Notes, which are distinguished by their red Treasury seals and red serial numbers. The last $2 United States Notes were issued in the Series of 1963. The notes feature Thomas Jefferson on the front and Jefferson’s home, Monticello, on the back. U.S. Notes are also known as Legal Tender Notes because the obligation on the notes specifically states that they are “legal tender.” The 1963 note features the addition of “In God We Trust” on the back of the 1963 note. This was the first and only $2 U.S. Note with this motto.
The Series 1935 $1 Silver Certificate was the last U.S. bank note without the motto “In God We Trust.” The motto was added later in the series (on the back, above the large “ONE” in the center), but this note is one of the early editions without the motto. Silver Certificate bank notes circulated alongside other types of currency such as Federal Reserve Notes; they are easily identified by the distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers (unlike the green seal and numbers on today’s Federal Reserve Notes). Each Silver Certificate was backed by its face value in silver bullion or silver coins in the United States Treasury, and the holder of the note could actually exchange it for the silver. Both of these items are long out of issue and are seldom seen – especially in fascinating sets like this. Comes in a display wallet.