1891 Silver Certificates - Large

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the Silver Certificates - Large series of Large Size Notes in the U.S. Currency contains 25 distinct entries with CPG^® values between $75.00 and $1,900,000.00.

Silver certificates encompass a wide-ranging assortment of designs, denominations, and series spanning from the $1 note to $1,000. Their authorization came in two Congressional acts passed in 1878 and 1886. The first two series, in 1878 and 1880, consisted of notes ranging from $10 to $1,000 and imprinted on the obverse with the words "Certificate of Deposit," which is not seen on later notes. A second run of silver certificates of Series 1886, 1891, and 1908 include denominations of $1 to $1,000, and are those perhaps most widely known by most collectors.

One of the most popular issues from this generation of silver certificates is the $1 1896 Education note. The obverse depicts an allegorical figure of "History" pointing out various landmarks in Washington, D.C., seen afar in the background, to a child representing "Youth." The reverse shows two portraits, with one depicting Martha Washington and the other her husband, George Washington.

The latest entries among the large-size silver certificates are the Series 1923 $1 and $5 notes. These were among the last of the large "horse blanket" or "saddle blanket" notes issued before reductions in the physical size of U.S. paper currency began with Series 1928 issues.