One Dollar Bill Silver Certificate STAR NOTE Series 1957 US Currency

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We are pleased to offer for sale this One Dollar Bill Silver Certificate STAR NOTE Series 1957 US Currency.  These $1 Silver Certificates are off-quality notes that may have some stains, tears, heavy folds or writing. These $1 Silver Certificates were redeemable for silver dollars or silver bullion up until 1964.  These notes are STAR NOTES from Series 1957 (random pick our choice 1957, 1957 A, or 1957 B).  Each bill comes in a currency sleeve for protection.  These $1 Silver Certificates will make a nice addition to any currency collection!

Information on these Silver Certificate Series 1957 One Dollar Bills:

In 1929 all US Currency was changed to its current modern size.  Silver Certificates as well as Legal Tender Notes were the first small sized $1 bills issued.   The obverse features a cropped version of George Washington's portrait that was previously featured on large size $1 Silver Certificates.  The reverse of the bill is in the style we know today.   The series 1957 bill  includes the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST"  on the reverse over the large "ONE" in the center of the bill. 

What is a Star Note?

A Star Note is a bank note minted to replace a defective note that was not fit for circulation. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) uses these Star Notes to ensure that the correct amount of currency is created.  The BEP does not replicate the exact serial numbers of the defective bills, rather a separate run of notes (with their own sequential serial numbers) is created to mint the exact number of discarded notes.  These Replacement Star Notes are marked with a distinctive symbol, a "star" that is placed adjacent to the serial number.  On Legal Tender Notes and Silver Certificates the star is where the prefix (first letter) of to the serial number would be.  On Federal Reserve Notes the star is where the block letter (the last letter) of the serial number would be.

Historically, Star Notes were also used for the 100,000,000th note in a series, the last note in the block of serial numbers (the numbering machines could not print over 8 digits).  Star Notes are no longer used for this.  Star Notes occasionally replaced notes from a different series, as well.  

The number of Star Notes produced for a series depends on the number of printed bills found to be defective.  The BEP currently prints Star Notes in maximum runs of 3.2 million (100,000 sheets of 32 notes each).  The runs are often significantly smaller depending on how many Star Notes are needed. So what is the value of a Star Note?  The smallest run sizes produce the rarest, and potentially most valuable, Star Notes! 

What is a Silver Certificate?

Silver Certificates were United States Currency authorized in the Act of Congress of February 28, 1878 and issued through 1964.  Large size Silver Certificates were issued through 1923 and then the currency changed to the small or modern size we use today.  Silver Certificates all have distinguishing blue seals.  Silver Certificates could be exchanged for silver dollars or silver bullion.   The Silver Law of 1963 changed this, discontinuing redemption for silver dollars in 1964; then silver bullion in 1968 (based on silver price of $1.29 per ounce).  Small size Silver Certificates have been issued in $1, $5, and $10 denominations.

Small size $1 Silver Certificates were printed in multiple series: 1928, 1928 A through E, 1934, 1935, 1935 A through H, 1957, 1957 A and B.  $5 Silver Certificates were also printed in multiple series: 1934, 1934 A through D, 1953, 1953 A through C.  $10 Silver Certificates were printed in multiple series as well: 1933, 1933 A, 1934, 1934 A through D, 1953, 1953 A and B.