US Notes

Series 1891

The Series 1891 $10 Silver Certificate: Thomas Hendricks, a Dying Portrait, and One of the Lowest Survival Rates in Large-Size Currency

by

The Series 1891 $10 Silver Certificate features the portrait of Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks, a fleeting design that saw limited production and catastrophic attrition over 130 years. Collectors and historians alike regard this note as one of the most challenging large-size issues to acquire in any grade, making it a genuine white whale of American paper money.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $5 Silver Certificate Ulysses Grant Portrait: The Predecessor to the Tombstone and Why It Is Overlooked

by

Before the iconic Tombstone note captured collectors’ imaginations, the Series 1891 $5 Silver Certificate bore Ulysses S. Grant’s portrait in a design that bridged two eras of American currency artistry. Understanding this overlooked issue reveals a rich story of transitional design, scarce signature combinations, and undervalued collecting opportunities.

Read More →

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

by

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.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $100 Silver Certificate David Farragut Portrait: One of the Scarcest Large-Size Type Notes

by

The Series 1891 $100 Silver Certificate featuring Admiral David Farragut is among the most elusive large-size type notes in American currency history, with a surviving population so small that most collectors never encounter one in a lifetime of searching. This deep-dive covers its history, signature varieties, grading realities, and what you need to know if you ever get the chance to acquire one.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $50 Silver Certificate Edward Everett Portrait: An Almost Unknown Large-Size Type

by

The Series 1891 $50 Silver Certificate featuring Edward Everett is one of the rarest and most overlooked large-size notes in American numismatics, with surviving examples numbering in the dozens. This deep-dive explores its history, design, signature combinations, and why collectors fortunate enough to encounter one should treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $2 Silver Certificate: William Windom’s Portrait and One of the Shortest Production Runs in 19th-Century Currency

by

The Series 1891 $2 Silver Certificate is a fascinating and scarce large-size note featuring Treasury Secretary William Windom, produced during a narrow window before Windom’s death in January 1891 effectively closed the chapter on this design. Collectors prize this note for its rarity, its unique portrait subject, and the numismatic stories packed into its brief production history.

Read More →

Silver Certificates Series 1891 $5 Jumping Deer Back: A Rarely Discussed Large-Size Type

by

The Series 1891 $5 Silver Certificate with its distinctive ‘Jumping Deer’ reverse design stands as one of the most visually striking and overlooked large-size notes in American currency history. This deep dive covers the history, varieties, signature combinations, grading realities, and collector values that every serious large-size enthusiast needs to know.

Read More →

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

by

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.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $20 Treasury Note: John Marshall’s Portrait on One of the Most Overlooked Coin Notes in American Currency

by

The Series 1891 $20 Treasury Note features the dignified portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall on a denomination that sits in a fascinating historical and numismatic crossroads. Understanding its design history, signature varieties, and survival rates helps collectors make smarter decisions in a market where genuine knowledge is rare.

Read More →

The Series 1891 $20 Silver Certificate: The Daniel Manning Portrait and Its Surprisingly Low Survivor Population

by

The Series 1891 $20 Silver Certificate featuring Treasury Secretary Daniel Manning is one of the most overlooked treasures in large-size currency collecting, with a survivor population so thin that even worn examples command serious premiums. This deep-dive explores the note’s historical context, signature varieties, grading challenges, and what collectors should know before hunting one down.

Read More →