US Notes

Martha Washington

The Series 1886 $1 Silver Certificate Martha Washington: The Only Woman Ever Portrayed on a Small-Denomination US Note

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The Series 1886 $1 Silver Certificate stands alone in American currency history as the only small-denomination note to feature a woman’s portrait, showcasing Martha Washington in stunning engraved detail. Understanding its varieties, signature combinations, and grading challenges is essential knowledge for any serious collector of Nineteenth Century paper money.

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The Series 1891 $1 Silver Certificate: Stanton, Martha Washington, and the Transition Between Portrait Subjects

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The Series 1891 $1 Silver Certificate stands at a fascinating crossroads in American currency design, featuring two entirely different portrait subjects across its signature combinations. Understanding the shift from Edwin M. Stanton to Martha Washington reveals as much about political priorities as it does about numismatic treasure.

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The Series 1878 $1 Silver Certificate: The Very First Silver Certificate Issue and What Makes It Unique

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The Series 1878 $1 Silver Certificate holds a singular place in American monetary history as the very first silver certificate ever issued by the United States government. Understanding its design varieties, signature combinations, and surviving populations is essential knowledge for any collector serious about large-size currency.

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Women on US Paper Money: Martha Washington, Pocahontas, and the Long Road to Harriet Tubman

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From Martha Washington’s brief but historic appearance on the 1886 Silver Certificate to the long-delayed promise of Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, women have had a complicated and fascinating relationship with American paper money. This guide traces every significant female portrait on US currency, with catalog numbers, rarity data, and collecting strategies for each.

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Silver Certificates Series 1886 and 1891: A Collector’s Deep Dive into Large-Size Portrait Notes and Their Varieties

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The Silver Certificates of 1886 and 1891 represent some of the most visually striking and historically significant large-size notes ever issued by the United States Treasury. From the iconic ‘Tombstone’ $1 to the rare Martha Washington $1, this guide covers every major variety, signature combination, and collecting strategy you need to navigate these fascinating 19th-century beauties.

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