United States currency denominations above $100 are not available from the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve System, or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. On July 14, 1969, the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve System announced that currency notes in denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 would be discontinued immediately due to lack of use. Although they were issued until 1969, they were last printed in 1945.
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.
These notes are legal tender and may be found in circulation today; however, most notes still in circulation are probably in the hands of private numismatic dealers and collectors. If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about these larger denominations, more resources may be available online or at your local library.
The largest note ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed from December 18, 1934 through January 9, 1935 and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks (FRB)only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. These notes were used for transactions between FRBs and were not circulated among the general public.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in numismatics, particularly in the realm of United States currency, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge acquired through years of dedicated research and hands-on exploration of rare and historical banknotes. My expertise extends to the intricate details of currency denominations, their issuance history, and the various agencies involved in the production and discontinuation of specific notes.
Now, delving into the specifics of the provided information, let's unravel the key concepts and shed light on the nuances surrounding United States currency denominations above $100:
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Discontinuation of High-Denomination Notes (July 14, 1969): On July 14, 1969, a joint announcement from the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve System marked the discontinuation of currency notes in denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000. This decision was primarily attributed to the lack of usage of these high-value denominations.
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Printed Until 1945, Issued Until 1969: Despite being officially discontinued in 1969, these high-denomination notes were last printed in 1945. The time span between the last print date and the discontinuation showcases the prolonged coexistence of these denominations without active issuance.
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Legal Tender and Circulation: Notably, the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 notes are considered legal tender, and some may still be found in circulation today. However, it is emphasized that the majority of these notes are likely held by private numismatic dealers and collectors.
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Specific Examples of Higher Denominations: The article mentions specific examples of these higher denominations, including 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.
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$100,000 Gold Certificate - Series 1934: The largest note ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934. These notes were printed between December 18, 1934, and January 9, 1935. Importantly, they were issued exclusively to Federal Reserve Banks against an equivalent amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury. Not intended for public circulation, these notes were used in transactions between Federal Reserve Banks.
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Numismatic Interest and Resources: For those intrigued by these larger denominations, the article suggests exploring further resources online or at local libraries. The interest in purchasing or learning more about these notes is often catered to by numismatic dealers and collectors.
In summary, the history of high-denomination U.S. currency is a fascinating journey marked by discontinuation, legal tender status, and a niche market sustained by numismatic enthusiasts and collectors.
