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Until the Series of 1957, the Federal Government issued bank notes that were actually backed by real silver in the U.S. Treasury.  These fascinating and long-gone bank notes are known as Silver Certificates.  At the time, you could have taken a Silver Certificate to the U.S. Treasury and redeemed it for $1 in silver.  Silver Certificates  were trusted by the American public – because they were just as valuable as the actual silver, unlike today’s Federal Reserve bank notes which are backed only by the faith of the Government.

There was a major design change that took place in 1957 on America’s Silver Certificate bank notes.  Prior to 1957, the motto “In God We Trust” did not appear on bank notes.  It was added to the Series of 1957 $1 Silver Certificate.

This collection includes the last $1 Silver Certificate issued without the motto “In God We Trust,” plus the first $1 Silver Certificate issued with the motto “In God We Trust.”

Silver Certificates are the only bank notes that have a blue Treasury seal and serial numbers, unlike today’s Federal Reserve Notes that have a green seal and numbers.  They are very distinctive because of the blue seal and numbers.

Unlike coins, bank notes are not dated by the year of issue but rather by the year the last major design change was made.  The Series of 1935 $1 Silver Certificate was issued from 1935 to 1957.  It was the first $1 bill to show the familiar back design depicting the Great Seal of the United States – the 13-step pyramid topped by the all-seeing eye of God on the left side, and the American eagle and national motto “E Pluribus Unum” on the right side.

The front of the $1 Silver Certificate shows the portrait of George Washington.  The inscription reads “This certifies that there is on deposit in the Treasury of the United States of America ONE DOLLAR in silver payable to the bearer on demand.”

The Series of 1935 $1 Silver Certificate was last issued almost 50 years ago and is a scarce piece of America’s currency history.

The Series of 1957 $1 Silver Certificate is almost identical to the Series of 1935 $1 Silver Certificate, except that the motto “In God We Trust” was added to the back design, above the large “ONE” in the center.  This was also the last $1 Silver Certificate ever issued.  The Silver Certificate bank notes were abolished by Congress on June 4, 1963, due to the rising cost of silver bullion.  However, $1 Silver Certificates were still redeemable for $1 in silver at the Treasury until June 24, 1968.

This remarkable set of $1 Silver Certificates traces the history of the motto “In God We Trust” on the back of the notes.  It also includes the last two major design variations of $1 Silver Certificates before the notes were withdrawn from circulation.

When the $1 Silver Certificates were withdrawn from circulation in the 1960’s, they were destroyed by the government.  Of course, almost all $1 Silver Certificates were worn out or damaged in circulation.

Amazingly, the Silver Certificates offered here are in About Uncirculated to Crisp Uncirculated condition.  This is a very high grade for classic Silver Certificates like these.  They are protected in a custom display that shows the two back designs – one with the motto “In God We Trust” and one without the motto.