United States — Silver Certificate — 1 Dollar — Series 1935
Also known as: One Dollar Silver Certificate
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Series 1935
Issuing entity
United StatesThe Series 1935 one-dollar silver certificate is a small-size United States banknote produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Issued as representative money redeemable in silver on demand at the time of its release, the note was printed by intaglio on paper composed of a blend of 75 per cent cotton and 25 per cent linen. Although silver certificates ceased to be redeemable in silver bullion or coin after 1968, notes of this type remain valid legal tender at their face value.
The reverse design featuring both faces of the Great Seal of the United States made its debut in 1935, replacing earlier small-size backs. Under Treasury practice of the period, the series date inscribed on a note did not reflect the precise calendar year of printing, but rather indicated a significant revision in design. One-dollar silver certificates served as the primary circulating one-dollar paper currency until the denomination was issued as a Federal Reserve Note in 1963.
The obverse is centred on a portrait of George Washington based on Gilbert Stuart's 1796 Athenaeum Portrait, framed by a blue Treasury seal and blue serial numbering, with star notes utilised to replace imperfect sheets. The reverse depicts both sides of the Great Seal of the United States. Individual varieties within the Series 1935 group are distinguished by the series letter suffix and the specific pairing of Treasury signatures.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 3
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Silver certificates were issued against silver held by the Treasury. The Series 1935 one dollar ran through many series letters and signature combinations over more than two decades, including wartime emergency variants.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Paper
- Seal colour
- Blue
Technical characteristics
- Printing
- Intaglio, Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Serial numbering
- Blue serial numbers; star notes used as replacements
Design
- Back
- Great Seal of the United States, both sides
- Front
- Portrait of George Washington
Identification
- How to identify
- To distinguish this silver certificate from contemporary United States Notes and Federal Reserve Notes, check for the blue Treasury seal, blue serial numbering, and silver obligation text, noting the series letter and signature pair to identify the specific variety.
- Key diagnostics
- Series letter and the pair of signatures determine the exact variety
- Common confusions
- Federal Reserve notes and United States notes of similar design differ by seal colour and obligation text
- Source note
- Background drawn from Wikipedia (“United States one-dollar bill”; “Silver certificate (United States)”), a tertiary source; details have not yet been checked against issuing-authority records or a standard catalogue.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Field evidence
- images.primary{"url":"/catalogue/3f67502e-85c4-4f71-841c-a1e3d4307cb6.jpg","view":"Front","credit":"National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution","license":"Public domain"}Source locator: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US-$1-SC-1935-Fr-1607.jpg
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Varieties
Series letters and signature combinations
Each combination is a distinct collecting variety; individual entries not yet created.
Star notes
Replacement notes identified by a star in the serial number.
Research required
- Friedberg numbers and the full signature-combination table pending transcription from a verified reference.