Silver Certificate Value
Most silver certificates are blue seal $1 notes from 1935 or 1957, worth about $4 to $16 worn. 1934 and 1928 notes are worth more.
You can tell a silver certificate by its blue seal and the words SILVER CERTIFICATE on the front.
- Worn $1$4–46Folds, soft paper, normal wear
- Uncirculated $1$10–150Crisp, no folds, never spent
- Star note $1$7–190Star (★) in the serial number
$1 silver certificates by series
Find the series date on the front of the note.
| Series | Worn | Uncirculated | Star note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 silver certificate | $20–40 | $90–135 | $75–200 |
| 1934 silver certificate | $23–46 | $75–150 | $80–190 |
| 1935 silver certificate | $5–16 | $16–28 | $10–25 |
| 1957 silver certificate | $4–8 | $10–16 | $7–30 |
$5 and $10 silver certificates
| Note | Worn | Uncirculated | Star note |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 Series 1934 | $14–25 | $25–90 | $20–80 |
| $5 Series 1953 | $11–20 | $17–30 | $15–30 |
| $10 Series 1934 | $38–60 | $70–130 | $45–70 |
| $10 Series 1953 | $30–60 | $50–120 | $45–76 |
Notes worth much more
1935A Hawaii (brown seal)
$40–72 worn
Printed with HAWAII on the front and back for use in Hawaii during World War II.
1935A North Africa (yellow seal)
$53–86 worn
Issued to troops in North Africa and Europe.
1935A with a red R or S
$100–190 worn
A 1944 test of two paper types.
1928 and 1934 $1 star notes
$75–200 worn
Scarce replacement notes from the funnyback series.
Check your serial number
Type the 8 digits of the serial number. Add the letters and the star if your note has them; the checker reads the digits.
Questions
Can I trade a silver certificate for silver?
No. Silver certificates could be exchanged for silver until June 24, 1968. Now they are worth face value plus what collectors pay.
Is a silver certificate made of silver?
No. It's paper. The name comes from the promise, now ended, to exchange it for silver.
Is old paper money still legal tender?
Yes. All U.S. paper money issued since 1861 is still legal tender at face value. Collectors usually pay more for older or crisp notes.
Where can I sell it?
For common notes, a local coin or currency dealer is quickest. eBay works for notes worth $20 or more. Send notes worth several hundred dollars to a currency auction house.
Should I get it graded?
Only if it's worth well over $100. Grading by PMG or PCGS Banknote costs tens of dollars per note plus shipping, which is more than most common notes are worth.
Values checked October 9, 2026 against recent sold listings. They are typical prices, not offers. Worn modern notes are valued at face, since that is what a bank or store gives you. How values work.