Do you have a 1957 silver certificate dollar bill? You probably know that some old coins and bills are worth more than their face value and maybe you are wondering if your 1957 dollar bill is worth anything.
The 1957 silver certificate dollar bill is a distinctive note that features a portrait of George Washington together with the Great Seal of the United States. In this article, we explore the value and the history of the 1957 dollar bill so you have a better understanding of what your dollar bill could be worth.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Details
- Category: One Dollar Bills
- Type: Silver Certificate
- Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Printing Location: Washington, D.C. and Fort Worth, Texas
- Series: Three: 1957, 1957A, 1957B
- Seal Color: Blue
- Total bills made: 5.3 billion notes
- Bill height: 6.6 centimeters (2.61 inches)
- Bill width: 15.6 centimeters (6.14 inches)
- The material used: 75% cotton and 25% linen
- Weight: one gram or 0.0022 pounds
Description
The 1957 silver certificate dollar bill has a portrait of the first President of the United States, George Washington, on the front. It also includes the words “One Dollar” and “Silver Certificate” at the top and bottom in large letters.
On the right-hand side is the Great Seal of the United States- The seal features arrows, an olive branch, and an eagle. The front of the bill also includes the phrase “In God We Trust” and the Latin Phrase “E Pluribus Unum”.
On the back of the bill is an engraving of the US Capitol building surrounded by the words “One Dollar” and ” The United States of America”. The words “Silver Certificate” are printed on the back with a blue seal and the serial number in black ink containing metallic particles. The bill’s edges are surrounded by a design that includes filigree and geometric patterns.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value Chart |
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Mint Mark | Circulated – Good | Circulated – Very Fine | Uncirculated |
1957/ 1957A/ 1957B Silver Certificate Dollar Bill | $1.25 – $1.50 | $1.50 – $3 | $12 – $12.50 |
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill with Star Serial Number | $1.50 | $4.50 | $17 – $24 |
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value
- Seal: Blue
- Treasurer: Ivy Baker Priest
- Secretary: Robert B. Anderson
- Year of printing: 1957
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.25 to $12.50
The silver certificate dollar bills from 1957 were printed in large quantities and therefore not considered rare by collectors. While the dollar bills are no longer legal tender, they can still be exchanged for face value at the bank.
The value of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill depends on its condition and there really is no significant difference in the value of the three notes in this series. While notes with low serial numbers, especially when uncirculated, can be worth more than circulated notes, they are unlikely to be worth more than around $12.50.
If you have 1957 silver certificate dollar bills, you can either change them in the bank or try to sell them to a collector for a small profit. However, many collectors may not be willing to buy them, especially not single notes. Your other option is to hang on to them as the value of old money can increase over time.
1957A Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value
- Seal: Blue
- Treasurer: Elizabeth Rudel Smith
- Secretary: C. Douglas Dillon
- Year of printing: 1957
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.25 to $12.50
The 1957A silver certificate dollar bills were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth, Texas and issued by the United States Department of the Treasury. They were distributed by the Federal Reserve System to financial institutions and banks throughout the country.
The silver certificate dollar bills were a type of paper currency redeemable for their face value in silver. The 1957A series of one-dollar bills were the last to feature this option and the United States stopped redeeming paper currency for silver officially in 1968.
Because these bills were printed in large quantities, they are generally worth their face value. However, some bills that have unique serial numbers, for example, star notes, or bills with repeating or low numbers can be worth more for money collectors. Uncirculated bills can also be worth more.
1957B Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value
- Seal: Blue
- Treasurer: Kathryn O’Hay Granahan
- Secretary: C. Douglas Dillon
- Year of printing: 1957
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.25 to $12.50
The 1957B silver certificate dollar bill bears the signatures of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Treasurer of the United States. It was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C and until 1963 it was redeemable for its face value in silver like all the other silver certificates of the time.
Even though the 1957B dollar bills are not rare or very valuable, they are still popular among currency collectors and numismatics. Bills that have been in circulation are not worth much more than their face value. Even in very fine circulated condition, they are generally worth around $3.00.
Bills that are uncirculated are usually worth a little more. If you have uncirculated 1957B silver certificate dollar bills, they could be worth around $12.50. Notes with star serial numbers or with low serial numbers can often fetch higher prices.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill With Star Serial Number Value
- Seal: Blue
- Treasurer: Elizabeth Rudel Smith
- Secretary: Robert B. Anderson
- Year of printing: 1957
- Face value: $1
- Price: $1.50 to $24
While the 1957 silver certificate dollar bills with star serial numbers can be more valuable than those without the star, they still are not worth a lot of money. The star was printed on replacement notes that were printed to replace defective notes that were noticed during the printing process.
The serial number on 1957 silver certificate dollar bills with a star can have one to four stars either before or after the serial number. The number of stars is indicative of how many times the note was replaced.
The exact value of the bills with star serial numbers depends on their rarity and condition. A circulated note with a star serial number in good condition is likely to be worth around $1.50, while notes that are uncirculated could be worth around $24.
History
Notes with silver certificates were a type of paper currency first printed in the United States in 1878. Initially, they were issued as part of the Bland-Allison Act. This Act required the US Treasury to purchase a minimum amount of silver every year. In exchange, they issued silver certificates.
The silver certificate notes were redeemable for silver coins or bullion at any time until 1968. However, despite the name, the notes did not contain any silver. The 1957 silver certificate dollar bills were issued in several denominations, which included $5, $10, $20, and $100 as well as the one-dollar bill.
During the time the silver certificates were in circulation, there were several series of silver certificate dollar bills. These included 1896, 1899, 1917, 1923, 1934, 1935, and 1957 series. Each series of silver certificate dollar bills have had its own unique features and design.
The 1957 dollar bill was a historical series of silver certificate dollar bills as it was the last series of silver certificates the United States Treasury issued. After the 1957 series, the government stopped issuing them and instead began printing Federal Reserve Notes.
The silver dollar bill of 1957 was also the first US paper banknote that included the motto “In God We Trust”. It was added in response to the Communist threat and the Cold War. It is the historical context of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bills rather than their rarity that makes them interesting to some collectors.
Why Did the US Treasury Stop Issuing Silver Certificate Dollar Bills?
The silver certificate dollar bills were stopped because of their ties to the backing of silver. When, in the mid-1960s, the price of silver increased, it became too expensive to continue redeeming the silver certificate notes for silver. Therefore, the government stopped issuing silver certificates already in 1964, and in 1968, they were officially discontinued.
There were additional factors that contributed to the decision to stop silver certificates. One of them was transitioning to a flat currency system from a gold standard that began in the 1930s and continued all the way through to the 1970s. In the flat currency system, the value of a currency is no longer tied to a precious metal like silver or gold.
Another factor was the increased use of Federal Reserve notes as the primary currency in the US. These notes were backed by the “full faith and credit” of the US government instead of a precious metal. They are still in circulation today.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Grading
The value of a 1957 silver certificate dollar bill depends on its grade, which refers to the condition it is in. Below are some examples of how paper bills are graded.
- Good (G) is often given for bills that have been heavily circulated and show signs of wear and tear.
- Very Good (VG) is for bills that have been in circulation but are in a better condition than notes graded as good. They will often have rounded corners, folds, or creases.
- Extremely Fine (XF or EF) refers to bills that have been circulated by are still in excellent condition.
- Uncirculated (UNC) is for bills that are in mint condition and were never circulated. They are crisp with sharp corners.
For more information, here is a ten-minute introduction video to grading paper money.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Errors
1. 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Misaligned Printing
This error occurs when the two sides of the bill are not properly aligned during the printing process. As a result, the design may appear misaligned or off-center. The value of the silver certificates from 1957 with this error will depend on the extent of the error. Bills with just minor misalignments may not be worth much more than regular bills.
2. 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Inverted Serial Numbers
This error refers to bills where the serial number is printed in the wrong direction or upside down and may make it more valuable for collectors. What the value of bills with inverted serial numbers will be, depends on the rarity of the mistake and the extent of the error.
3. 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Mismatched Serial Numbers
This error occurs when the serial numbers do not match due to, for example, different color fonts. If you suspect this error, you will need to check that it is not an intentional mismatch. Sometimes serial numbers have been intentionally mixed as part of the series or printing variety. In these cases, the mismatched numbers would not increase the value.
4. 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Overprinting
Overprinting can happen when too much ink is applied during the printing process. This can cause the text or design to appear blurred or distorted. The more significant the overprinting error is, the more valuable the bill could potentially be. However, this also depends on the condition of the note and its rarity.
5. 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Missing Printing
Sometimes paper money can get printed with a part of the text or design missing. This can occur because of, for example, misaligned plates, ink smudges, or incomplete printing. The more print there is missing, the more valuable the note could potentially be, depending on the note’s rarity and condition.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill FAQs
What is a 1957 silver certificate dollar worth?
Because the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill was printed in large quantities, it is not considered rare and therefore many of the notes are not worth much more than their face value. However, notes with errors or those with star serial numbers can be worth more. For example, an uncirculated 1957 B star note can be worth $24.
Is a silver certificate dollar bill worth anything?
The worth of a silver certificate dollar bill depends on various factors such as whether it is a circulated or uncirculated note and whether it has any errors. Most circulated notes are not worth much more than their face value.