Old Currency with Little Collector Value

Old Currency with Little Collector Value

There are a lot of notes still in circulation that look old or antique that really aren’t.  As a general rule, if a note was found in circulation or is newer than 1930 it will have little to no collector value.  There are a few exceptions, but do make note of the common ones below.

 

Denomination Type  
One Dollar Silver Certificate
Years: 1957, 1957A, 1957B, 1935, 1935A, 1935B, 1935C, 1935D, 1935E, 1935F, 1935G, 1935H
1957 and 1935 silver certificates are by far the most commonly occuring “old looking”currency.  These were printed in the billions and are certainly still in circulation.  They wholesale for $1.25 each.  You can purchase new packs of 100 notes for as little as $5 per note.
Denomination Type
Two Dollar Legal Tender
Years: 1963, 1963A, 1953, 1953A, 1953B, 1953C, 1928, 1928A, 1928B, 1928C, 1928D, 1928E, 1928F, 1928G
Another common note that appears rare is the 1928, 1953, and 1963 red seal $2 note.  The $2 bill has been perceived to be rare for years.  This simply isn’t true.  These notes wholesale for $2.50 and an uncirculated example starts at about $8 and goes up from there.

If you have a star note from 1928, please contact us.  Those can be rare.

All 1976, 1995, and 2003 $2 bills are common and only worth face value unless they have a star in the serial number and are uncirculated.

Denomination Type  
Five Dollar Silver Certificate
Years: 1934, 1934A, 1934B, 1934C, 1934D, 1953, 1953A, 1953B
1934 and 1953 $5 silver certificates are not quite as common as the $1 silvers, but they are still not very valuable.  They wholesale for as little as $6 each and nicer examples can bring around $20.

If your note has a star in the serial number please contact us, especially if it is a 1953B star.

Denomination Type  
Five Dollar Legal Tender
Years: 1928, 1928A, 1928B, 1928C, 1928D, 1928E, 1928F, 1953, 1953A, 1953B, 1953C, 1963
1928, 1953, and 1963 $5 red seal notes are exotic looking but most of them aren’t rare.  Just like $5 silver certificates, they wholesale for $6 and bring closer to $20 if uncirculated.

Some star notes from this series can be rarer, for a more exact price contact us.

Denomination Type
Ten Dollar Federal
Reserve
Note
Years: 1934, 1934A, 1934B, 1934C, 1950 and newer
This is without a doubt the most commonly asked about note.  Its classic design makes it appear as though it should be valuable.  Tens of thousands of these notes are still in circulation.  They are all worth face value unless they have a star symbol in the serial number and they are in perfect condition.  There is simply no collectible market for such common notes.

If you have a 1928 example, send us an image and we will appraise it.

Notes with blue, yellow, or brown seals will be worth more.

Denomination Type
Twenty Dollar Federal
Reserve
Note
Years: 1934, 1934A, 1934B, 1934C, 1950 and newer
These $20 notes from the years listed above are very common.  None of these notes will say “In God We Trust”.  This is not an error.  There is also never going to be an error in the phrase “This note is legal tender for all debts…”  All green seal $20s say this, it adds no value to the note.  All notes are worth face value.

Some star notes in perfect condition from this series can be rarer, for a more exact price contact us.