This is our single most received question here at www.highdenomination.com. We therefore want to take the time to fully explain the status of $100,000 Gold Certificates. Many people who say they have a $100,000 Gold Certificate claim their “note” was discovered many decades ago in a cave in the Philippines. Regardless of where it was found, this examination of genuine $100,000 Gold Certificates will hopefully answer some of your questions.

The $100,000 Gold Certificate is the highest denomination ever printed for all Federal paper money in the United States. The notes were dated Series of 1934 and a total of 42,000 units were printed. Depicted on the front of the note is Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States. He served as President from 1913 to 1921.  View an image of a genuine $100,000 Gold Certificate here. View an image of a fake $100,000 Gold Certificate here.

It is important to understand that $100,000 Gold Certificates were intended for use in FISCAL CHANNELS ONLY. They were never issued for general circulation. The notes are strictly government property and are not legal to collect or own.

Of the 42,000 notes printed, there are no notes outstanding. In other words, all the notes that were printed are accounted for. The vast majority of $100,000 Gold Certificates have been destroyed. Surviving examples can be seen from time to time when the Bureau of Engraving and Printing sets up their displays at major coin and currency shows. Other genuine examples can be found at the Smithsonian Institute and at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco currency display. All remaining survivors (like the examples mentioned above) are institutionalized. None are in public hands.

To reiterate: These notes were never issued to the public. Even if they were, all surviving examples are accounted for and each one of those surviving notes is in Government hands. Therefore, these notes cannot, and do not exist within the general population. – If you think that you have a genuine $100,000 Gold Certificate, I assure you that it is not genuine. Any such items that are in public hands are play money, and not genuine United States currency. Such copies have no monetary value and cannot be redeemed. I apologize in advance to readers who find this information unfavorable.

Most small size $1 Silver Certificates were printed for Series 1935 and 1957. They could originally be redeemed for their face value in silver dollars. They look very similar to today’s dollar bills with the central vignette being George Washington. The primary difference is the blue seal and the wording “Silver Certificate.” Today, the silver redemption aspect of these notes is obsolete. They are however still legal tender. They are worth just a small premium over the face value. Circulated $1 Silver Certificates sell for $1.25-$1.50. Uncirculated examples are worth $3 – $5 each.

These US Notes or Legal Tender Notes were printed for Series 1928, 1953 and 1963. The $2 and $5 red seals in circulated condition carry very little premium over face value. You can figure on a premium of just 20-40% over the face value for these notes.

This fake denomination of United States currency is faux “currency” which makes no assertion of being legal tender. It was created for the purpose of promotions, practical jokes or social statements. This paper has no value. We do not buy these.

Series of 1923 $1 Silver Certificates are the most common large size note you will likely encounter. Although these notes are “old” they were printed in the tens of thousands and are by no means rare or even scarce. Today these notes are worth $10-20 in average circulated condition. Even nicely uncirculated 1923 $1 silver certificates don’t sell for much more than $100.