5 Very Large Banknotes Around the World | ShermansTravel (2024)

FAQs

What is the world's largest banknote? ›

Measuring in at roughly the size of a sheet of legal paper, the world's largest single banknote is the 100,000-peso note created by the government of the Philippines in 1998.

Paper money

American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. But they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation.

USA 1890 Grand Watermelon $1,000 Treasury Note: $3.3 million

This “super-rare and world-famous” note might be the most valuable bill in the world.

$10,000 Series 1918 Blue Seal

It shows Salmon P. Chase, who served as President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 to 1864. The back of the bill shows the embarkation of the Pilgrims as they sailed for freedom in North America.

The $10,000 bill featuring the portrait of President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, was the highest denomination US currency ever to publicly circulate.

The bill, outside of the federal government, may only be used for educational purposes, particularly in museums for public viewing. The Smithsonian Museum along with the Federal Reserve System are known to have one hundred-thousand-dollar bills in their ownership.

It is illegal for a private individual to own this banknote. Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

So, is there a million-dollar bill? No, there is no official million-dollar bill in circulation, nor has one ever been commissioned by the Federal Reserve.

Some of the most valuable silver certificates include the 1896 $1 Silver Certificate Educational Note, which can be worth thousands if it's in uncirculated condition, and the Series 1933 $10 silver certificate bill, which sold for $70,000 at auction.

How much is my $2 bill worth? ›

Unless it has a unique feature, like a low serial number or misprint, a newer $2 bill likely isn't worth much more than $2, even if it's uncirculated.

The Federal Reserve System officially discontinued high-denomination bills such as the $500 note in 1969, citing a “lack of use.”

Wilson's image appeared on a $100,000 bill, currency that was once used in inter-bank transactions and never circulated publicly and was retired in 1969. Do 1,000,000 dollar bills exist? No US currency in that denomination ever existed.

The $100,000 bill is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Federal Government. Printed in 1934, it was not intended for general use, but instead was used as an accounting device between branches of the Federal Reserve. It is illegal for a private individual to own this banknote.

The £100 note is currently the largest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The current Ilay series of banknotes was first issued in 1987. These banknotes feature a portrait of Lord Ilay, first governor of the bank, on the front. Lord Ilay's image is also used as a watermark on the notes.

Its official, Malaysia RM600 commemorative banknotes in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Federation of Malaya Independence Agreement hold The Guinness World Records for World Largest Legal Tender Banknote.

Specific examples of these higher denominations include the $500 Note (Blue Seal), $500 Note (Green Seal), $1000 Note (Blue Seal), $1000 Note (Green Seal), $5000 Note (Blue Seal), $10,000 Note (Blue Seal), $10,000 Note (Green Seal), and the $100,000 Gold Certificate.