Washington Silver Era

Our Founding Father and first President, George Washington, features prominently on U.S. coin and currency. In addition to quarters, first struck in 1932, a $5 gold coin in 1999, Washington resides on the familiar on dollar bill. The first use of George Washington's portrait on the $1 note was on Series of 1869 United States Notes. In 1957, the $1 Silver Certificate marked the end of an era for banknotes that could be exchanged for real silver. Silver Certificate bank notes once circulated alongside other types of currency such as Federal Reserve Notes. Each Silver Certificate was backed by its face value in Silver Dollars or silver bullion in the United States Treasury, and holders of the notes could actually exchange them for the silver. Unlike today’s Federal Reserve Notes that have green Treasury seals and serial numbers, Silver Certificates have distinctive blue Treasury seals and serial numbers.
While the last Silver Certificate ever issued was the Series of 1957 $1 Silver Certificate, it was last redeemable for silver in 1968, and they remain legal tender. Most of these historic $1 Silver Certificates were worn out or destroyed in circulation half a century ago or more.

The modern commemorative coin era began in 1982, when Congress authorized coins to celebrate the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The 1982 George Washington Commemorative Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver. It was the first 90% silver coin issued since 1964. One side shows George Washington in a military uniform and on a horse. The other side shows Washington’s Mount Vernon home. The coin has been unavailable from the U.S. Mint since 1982.