The first Silver Certificates were printed in 1878 in response to Western silver-mining interests, who were unhappy about the U.S. gold standard. They wanted silver coins, but they got the next best thing—bills redeemable in silver stored in government vaults.
The late 19th-century Silver Certificates are some of the most beautiful bank notes ever produced by the U.S. government. The so-called educational notes are particularly handsome. They include a $1 bill from 1896 with "History Instructing Youth" on the front and portraits of Martha and George Washington on the back, as well as a $2 bill from the same year with "Science Presenting Steam and Electricity to Science and Industry" on the front and portraits of inventors Robert Fulton and Samuel Morse on the back.
In 1899 the popular "Chief Onepapa" $5 was produced followed by a hiatus until 1923, when a $5 Lincoln was issued. In 1928, Silver Certificates shrunk in size a bit like all U.S. currency, and Silver Certificates were printed until 1935. In the 1940s and 1950s, most bills were taken out of circulation and shredded. The bill was briefly revived in 1957, but by 1964 the redemption of Silver Certificates for actual silver had ended.
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Marvellous masters of mathematics
Market Rasen Mail, May 19thPictured are, back row from left: Poppy Smith and Leo Eugster, from Year 10 who received bronze certificates; Mark Chan and Rebecca Dame, Year 11 bronze; Shanty Kwan, Year 11 silver certificate; Thomas Brocklebank, Abigail Hebert and Marco Chow,...Read more
Wishaw and Shotts staying young at heart with the Discovery Award
Wishaw Press, May 15thAnn Fisher, 74, from Overtown, a silver certificate participant, said: “It gives you an interest, you meet lovely people and you're learning something all the time. But it's not heavy learning as if you're at school, it's very enjoyable and it's very...Read more
Collectible Currency World is Stunned as Highest Graded 1896 Sequential $5 ...
PR Web (press release), May 10thAlways desired, the $5 Silver Certificate version was formally named as one of the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by David M. Sundman & Q. David Bowers in their 2005 book by the same name. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on...Read more
Change begins in 1963
Coin World, May 9thLikewise, a paper silver certificate was worth more as a proxy for bullion than as money. Silver half dollars, quarter dollars and dimes contained 0.72338 ounce of silver for each dollar of face value. The tipping point for these smaller coins was $1...Read more
SA device scoops innovation award
Independent Online, May 8thThe silver certificate went to Hunter's HawkEye Elite Wheel Alignment System, which was developed in the US, and two other locally manufactured products tied for bronze award status - Supreme Spring's Cobra Coil-Over Suspension Kit and Powertech's...Read more
SJSU working on becoming a sustainable campus
Spartan Daily, May 8thAccording to the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system is a rating that provides third-party verification of green buildings. To receive a LEED Silver certificate, buildings have to maintain...Read more
Wallet found in San Marino after 66 years holds family treasure
Los Angeles Times, May 5thAlong with a 1934-series $5 silver certificate were a black-and-white photo of a pretty teenage girl posing in a lush garden, and a 1947 pocket calendar marked with names and dollar amounts. Victoria Marshall, Lisa Carlson and Janet Ruiz of San Marino...Read more
Silver In A Weak Economy
Seeking Alpha, May 2ndYou could legally demand silver with a silver certificate. You could not legally demand it with a Federal Reserve note. Silver was effectively demonetized by law on June 4, 1963, when silver certificates were abolished. Only for as long as they did not...Read more
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