1957 Silver Certificate $1 Bill Value: How Much is it Worth Today?
Did you come across a $1 1957 silver certificate bill? You are probably excited to find such an old and obsolete piece of currency and curious about what it’s worth.
So, what is the value of a 1957 silver certificate dollar bill?
Well, this depends on factors such as the grade and condition of the dollar bill.
The truth is, 1957 silver certificates are not rare. The Federal Bureau minted 5 billion of these notes, so you can find them here and there.
There is a lot of collector interest around silver certificate bills. So, we wrote this article to help you understand the value of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill. You will learn about this bill’s history, its features, and whether it is worth any money.
So, let’s get started!
| 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value Chart | ||||
| Series Type | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1957 Series | Less than $3 | Less than $5 | Up to $10 | $20 |
| 1957-A Series | Less than $3 | Less than $5 | Up to $10 | $20 |
| 1957-A Star Note | Less than $5 | Less than $8 | $12-$15 | $24 |
| 1957-B Series | Less than $3 | Less than $5 | Up to $10 | $18 |
| 1957-B Star Note | Less than $5 | Less than $8 | $12-$18 | $24 |
History of the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The 1878 Bland-Allison Act and the Coinage Act authorized the U.S. Federal Bureau to issue silver certificates for the redemption of the silver coins or silver bullion in denominations ranging from $1 to $1,000.
In 1957, the Federal Bureau minted about 5 billion silver certificate dollar bills. With a 1957 $1 silver certificate, you could go to a bank, issue the certificate, and receive a Peace or Morgan dollar in exchange.
At the start of the 1960s, the world, including the U.S., began facing a severe silver shortage, which saw the price of silver skyrocket. As such, the majority of silver coins suddenly became worth more for their intrinsic value than their face value, which led people to hoard and melt this coin.
Widespread hoarding led to another problem—a nationwide coin shortage. In response, the government stopped producing and issuing silver certificates in June 1963. Certificate holders could still use the existing ones to redeem silver coins, but new silver certificates were no longer available.
In 1968, through an Act of Congress, banks could no longer receive silver certificates in exchange for silver coins. But these silver certificates could be exchanged for the federal reserve notes we now use in our day-to-day transactions.
Now let’s take a look at the features and 1957 silver certificate dollar bill value.
Features of the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The Obverse of the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The front side of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill features the portrait of our country’s first president, George Washington, as is the case with all silver certificates issued since 1869.
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The bill also features a serial number and two signatures. You will notice the prominent blue seal on the right and the number 1 on all four corners of the certificate.
The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears above Washington’s portrait. The denomination, ONE DOLLAR, appears at the bottom of the bill where you will also notice the obligation, “In silver payable to the bearer on demand.”
The Reverse of the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
Like other silver certificate dollar bills, the 1957 silver certificate features the Great Seal and a pyramid with the eye of providence.
The Great Seal on the right comprises a bald eagle with a heraldic shield on its chest. You will notice 13 stripes on the shield and 13 stars above the eagle’s head.
The eagle also holds an olive branch in one of its talons and arrows in the other, symbolizing peace and independence, respectively. There is also a ribbon in the bird’s beak with the words E PLURIBUS UNUM.
On the left side, you will not see an incomplete pyramid set in a barren land. Crowning the pyramid is the Eye of Providence, while the figure MDCCLXXVI (1776) indicates the year the country obtained independence.
The words IN GOD WE TRUST and the bill’s denomination, ONE, appear in the middle. The word ONE DOLLAR also appears at the bottom of the bill along the rim, while the country’s name is printed at the top along the rim.
Other Features of the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
There are other notable features of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill. Let’s take a look at each:
- Seal
There is a blue seal on the front page of the 1957 silver certificate, with the words Washington DC printed over it. On the left, instead of the usual black Federal Reserve bank seal we see on today’s bank note, there is the number one and the inscription, ‘’This certificate is legal tender for all debts public and private.”
- Serial number
The serial number appears two times on the obverse, one at the top right corner and the other on the bottom left. The first and last articles of the serial number is an alphabetical letter, which bracket the eight numerals.
Sometimes, a star appears instead of one letter of the serial numbers. This ensures that neither the U.S. Bureau nor criminals produce banknotes with the same serial number.
- Signature
These dollar bills have two signatures on the obverse, one belonging to the Treasury Secretary and the other to the Treasurer. All three series of the 1957 dollar bill, including Series A and Series B, follow this format and spot the Treasury and State’s signature on the front.
