Large denominations of United States currency

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates

Large denominations of United States currency greater than Template:US$ were circulated by the United States Treasury until 1969. Since then, U.S. dollar banknotes have been issued in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Overview and history

Large-denomination currency (i.e., banknotes with a face value of Template:US$ or higher)[1] had been used in the United States since the late 18th century.[2] The first Template:US$ note was issued by North Carolina, authorized by legislation dated May 10, 1780.[3] Virginia quickly followed suit and authorized the printing of Template:US$ and Template:US$ notes on October 16, 1780,[4] and Template:US$ notes on May 7, 1781.[5] High-denomination treasury notes were issued; for example, during the War of 1812 ($1,000 notes authorized by an act dated June 30, 1812).[6] During the American Civil War, Confederate currency included Template:US$ and Template:US$ notes.[7] The earliest (1861) federal banknotes included high-denomination notes such as three-year interest-bearing notes of Template:US$, Template:US$, and Template:US$, authorized by Congress on July 17, 1861.[8] In total, 11 different types of U.S. currency were issued in high-denomination notes across nearly 20 different series dates. The obverse designs of United States banknotes generally depict either historical figures, allegorical figures symbolizing significant concepts (e.g., liberty, justice), or both. The reverse designs range from abstract scroll-work with ornate denomination identifiers to reproductions of historical art works.

Public versus institutional use

Series 1934 gold certificates ($100; [[United States five-hundred-dollar bill|Template:US$]]; [[United States one-thousand-dollar bill|Template:US$]]; [[United States ten-thousand-dollar bill|Template:US$]]; and [[United States one hundred-thousand-dollar bill|Template:US$]]) were issued after the gold standard was repealed and gold was compulsorily confiscated by order of President Franklin Roosevelt on March 9, 1933 (see United States Executive Order 6102). Thus, the series 1934 notes were used only for intragovernmental (i.e., Federal Reserve Bank) transactions and were not issued to the public.[9] This series was discontinued in 1940. The series 1928 gold certificate reverse was printed in black and green (see History of the United States dollar).

Passive retirement

Although they remain legal tender in the United States, high-denomination bills were last printed on December 27, 1945, and were officially discontinued on July 14, 1969, by the Federal Reserve System[10] because of "lack of use".[11] The lower production Template:US$ and Template:US$ notes had effectively disappeared well before then.[nb 1]

Beginning in July 1969, the Federal Reserve began removing high-denomination currency from circulation and destroying any large bills returned by banks.[11] Template:As of, only 336 Template:US$ bills were known to exist, along with 342 Template:US$ bills, 165,372 Template:US$ bills and fewer than 75,000 Template:US$ bills (of over 900,000 printed).[12][13] Due to their rarity, collectors pay considerably more than the face value of the bills to acquire them, and some are in museums.

These larger denomination bills were mainly used by banks and the federal government for large financial transactions, which was especially true for gold certificates from 1865 to 1934. The introduction of electronic money systems has made large-scale cash transactions mostly obsolete, and concerns about counterfeiting and the use of cash for unlawful activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering has caused the U.S. government not to reissue any large-denomination currency.

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury website, "The present denominations of our currency in production are Template:US$, Template:US$, Template:US$, Template:US$, Template:US$, Template:US$ and Template:US$. The purpose of the United States currency system is to serve the needs of the public and these denominations meet that goal. Neither the Department of the Treasury nor the Federal Reserve System has any plans to change the denominations in use today."[14] However, in 2025 a bill was introduced in Congress to issue a $250 note.[15]

High-denomination banknote issuing data

Key to high denomination banknote type abbreviations[nb 2]
Abbr Type Size[nb 3] Series dates High denomination series date Comments
Template:US$ Template:US$ Template:US$ Template:US$ Template:US$
LT Legal tender Large 1862–1923 1862
1863
1869
1874
1875
1878
1880 		1862
1863
1869
1878
1880 		1878 1878 – [nb 4]
CITN Compound interest treasury note Exception 1863–1864 1863
1864 		1864 – – –
IBN Interest bearing note Exception 1861–1865 1861
1863
1864
1865 		1861
1863
1864
1865 		1861
1863
1864
1865 		– – [nb 5]
SC Silver certificate Large 1878–1923 1878
1880 		1878
1880
1891 		– – –
TN Treasury note Large 1890–1891 1891[nb 6] 1890
1891 		– – –
NBN National bank note Large 1865–1875 1865
1875 		1865
1875 		– – –
FRN Federal reserve note Large 1914–1918 1918 1918 1918 1918 –
NGBN National gold bank note Large 1870–1883 1870[nb 7] –[nb 8] – – – [nb 9]
GC Gold certificate Large[nb 10] 1865–1922 1865
1870
1875
1882
1922 		1865
1870
1875
1882
1907
1922 		1865
1870
1882
1888 		1865
1870
1875
1882
1888
1900 		–
FRN Federal reserve note Small 1928–present 1928
1934 		1928
1934 		1928
1934 		1928
1934 		–
GC Gold certificate Small 1928–1934[nb 11] 1928 1928
1934 		1928 1928
1934 		1934

Table of banknotes

The National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution contains the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) certified proofs and the Treasury Department collection of United States currency. Using a combination of proofs and issued notes, a nearly complete type set of high-denomination currency was compiled. Notably missing are several types of Compound and Interest Bearing Notes. Printed during the early to mid-1860s on very thin paper, these high-denomination notes are virtually non-existent. Their issuance (1861–65) predates the BEP's responsibility for U.S. currency (1870s), so very few proofs exist in the current archives.

High denomination United States banknotes[nb 12]
Value Type Series Friedberg number Image Portrait/engraving[nb 13] Comments[nb 14]
000500$500 LT 1862–1863 Fr.183c $500 Legal Tender note, Series 1862–63, Fr.183c, depicting Albert Gallatin. Gallatin-AlbertAlbert Gallatin 4 known (variety)
7 known (type)[22]
000500$500 LT 1869 Fr.184 $500 Legal Tender note, Series 1869, Fr.184, depicting John Quincy Adams. Adams-John-QuincyJohn Quincy Adams
(Charles Burt)[23]
Justice
(Stephen A. Schoff)[24] 		4 known (only one privately)[25]
000500$500 LT 1874–1878 Fr.185b $500 Legal Tender note, Series 1874–78, Fr.185b, depicting Joseph Mansfield. Mansfield-JosephJoseph Mansfield
(Charles Burt)[23]
Victory
(Charles Burt)[26]
000500$500 LT 1880 Fr.185l $500 Legal Tender note, Series 1880, Fr.185l, depicting Joseph Mansfield. Mansfield-JosephJoseph Mansfield
(Charles Burt)[23]
Victory
(Charles Burt)[26] 		5 known (variety)[nb 15]
000500$500 CITN 1864 Fr.194a
Proof 		$500 Compound Interest Treasury Note, Series 1864, Fr.194a, depicting a soldier and a ship. zStandard Bearer-New IronsidesStandard Bearer (left)
(George D. Baldwin)[28]
New Ironsides (right)
(James Smillie)[29] 		Unknown[30]
000500$500 SC 1878 Fr.345a $500 Silver Certificate, Series 1878, Fr.345a, depicting Charles Sumner Sumner-CharlesCharles Sumner
(Charles Burt)[23] 		Unique (variety and type)[31]
000500$500 SC 1880 Fr.345c $500 Silver Certificate, Series 1880, Fr.345c, depicting Charles Sumner Sumner-CharlesCharles Sumner
(Charles Burt)[23] 		5 known (variety)
7 known (type)[31]
000500$500 TN 1891 Fr.379
Proof 		$500 Treasury note (1890–91) proof, Series 1891, unreported Friedberg number, depicting William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman-WilliamWilliam Tecumseh Sherman None issued[32]
000500$500 NBN 1865–1875 Fr.464 $500 National Bank Note, Original Series, Fr.464, vignette depicting Civilization; Sirius arriving in New York (obv); Surrender of General Burgoyne (rev). zCivilization-Sirius-BurgoyneCivilization (left)
(James D. Smillie)[33]
Sirius arriving in New York (right)
Surrender of General Burgoyne (rev)
(Frederick Girsch)[34] 		2 known (variety)
3 known (type)[35]
000500$500 FRN 1918 Fr.1132d $500 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1918, Fr.1132d, depicting John Marshal. Marshall-JohnJohn Marshall
(Charles Schlecht)[36]
de Soto discovering the Mississippi (rev)
(Frederick Girsch)[34]
000500$500 GC 1863 Fr.1166d
Proof 		$500 Gold Certificate, Series 1865, Fr.1166d, with a vignette of an eagle and shield (left). zEagle-shieldEagle with shield or E Pluribus Unum
(Charles Skinner)[37] 		Unknown[38]
000500$500 GC 1870–1875 Fr.1166i $500 Gold Certificate, Series 1870, Fr.1166i, depicting Abraham Lincoln Lincoln-AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
(Charles Burt)[23] 		Unique[38]
000500$500 GC 1882–1922 Fr.1216a $500 Gold Certificate, Series 1882, Fr.1216a, depicting Abraham Lincoln Lincoln-AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
(Charles Burt)[23]
000500$500 FRN 1928–1934 Fr.2200g $500 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1928, Fr.2200g, depicting William McKinley. McKinley-WilliamWilliam McKinley
(John Eissler)[39]
000500$500 GC 1928 Fr.2407 $500 Gold Certificate, Series 1928, Fr.2407, depicting William McKinley. McKinley-WilliamWilliam McKinley
(John Eissler)[39]
001000$1,000 LT 1862–1863 Fr.186e $1,000 Legal Tender note, Series 1862–63, Fr.186e, depicting Robert Morris. Morris-RobertRobert Morris
(Charles Schlecht)[36] 		Unique (variety)
5 known (type)[40]
001000$1,000 LT 1869 Fr.186f
Proof 		Clinton-DeWittDeWitt Clinton 2 known[41]
001000$1,000 LT 1878 Fr.187a $1,000 Legal Tender note, Series 1878, Fr.187a, depicting DeWitt Clinton. Clinton-DeWittDeWitt Clinton
Columbus in his study
(Henry Gugler)[42]
001000$1,000 LT 1880 Fr.187k $1,000 Legal Tender note, Series 1880, Fr.187k, depicting DeWitt Clinton. Clinton-DeWittDeWitt Clinton
Columbus in his study
(Henry Gugler)[42] 		4 known (variety)
~20–25 known (type)[nb 16]
001000$1,000 IBN 1863 Fr.201
Proof 		$1,000 Interest Bearing Note, Series 1863, Fr.201, depicting vignettes of Justice and Liberty. zJustice-LibertyJustice (left); Liberty (right) Unknown[43]
001000$1,000 IBN 1863 Fr.206
Proof 		$1,000 Interest Bearing Note, Series 1863, Fr.206, depicting ships at battle and conquistadors. zShipsGuerriere and the Constitution (left) and Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto (right) Unknown[44]
001000$1,000 SC 1878 Fr.346a
Proof 		$1000 Silver Certificate, Series 1878, Fr.346a, depicting William Marcy Marcy-WilliamWilliam Marcy
(Charles Schlecht)[36] 		Unknown[45]
001000$1,000 SC 1880 Fr.346d $1000 Silver Certificate, Series 1880, Fr.346d, depicting William Marcy Marcy-WilliamWilliam Marcy
(Charles Schlecht)[36] 		5 known (variety)
5 known (type)[45]
001000$1,000 SC 1891 Fr.346e $1000 Silver Certificate, Series 1891, Fr.346e, depicting William Marcy Marcy-WilliamWilliam Marcy
(Charles Schlecht)[36]
Liberty
(Charles Burt)[46] 		2 known[45]
001000$1,000 TN 1890 Fr.379a $1,000 Treasury note (1890–91), Series 1890, Fr.379a, depicting George Meade. Meade-GeorgeGeorge Meade
(Charles Burt)[23] 		5 known (variety)
7 known (type)[47]
001000$1,000 TN 1891 Fr.379c $1,000 Treasury note (1890–91), Series 1891, Fr.379c, depicting George Meade. Meade-GeorgeGeorge Meade
(Charles Burt)[23] 		2 known (variety)
3 known (type)[47]
001000$1,000 NBN 1865–1875 Fr.465
Proof 		$1,000 National Bank Note proof, Series 1875, Fr.465, vignette depicting (obv) Scott's entrance into Mexico City (rev) Washington surrendering his commission. zScott-Winfield-Washington-GeorgeScott entering City of Mexico (left)
(Alfred Jones)[48]
United States Capitol (right)
(James Smillie)[29]
Washington resigning his commission (rev)
(Frederick Girsch)[34] 		Unknown[49]
001000$1,000 FRN 1918 Fr.1133d $1,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1918, Fr.1133d, depicting Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton-AlexanderAlexander Hamilton
(G.F.C. Smillie)[50]
Eagle (rev)
(Marcus W. Baldwin)[51]
001000$1,000 GC 1863 Fr.1166e
Proof 		$1,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1865, Fr.1166e, with a vignette of an eagle and shield (left) and justice (bottom center). zEagle-shield-Justice-scalesEagle with shield or E Pluribus Unum
(Charles Skinner)[37]
Justice with scales 		Unique[38]
001000$1,000 GC 1870–1875 Fr.1166o
Proof 		$1,000 Gold Certificate proof, Series 1875, Fr.1166j, depicting Alexander Hamilton Hamilton-AlexanderAlexander Hamilton
(Charles Burt)[52] 		Unique[38]
001000$1,000 GC 1882 Fr.1218g $1,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1882, Fr.1218g, depicting Alexander Hamilton Hamilton-AlexanderAlexander Hamilton
(G.F.C. Smillie)[50]
001000$1,000 GC 1907–1922 Fr.1219 $1,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1907, Fr.1219, depicting Alexander Hamilton Hamilton-AlexanderAlexander Hamilton
001000$1,000 FRN 1928–1934 Fr.2210g $1,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1928, Fr.2210g, depicting Grover Cleveland. Cleveland-GroverGrover Cleveland
(John Eissler)[39]
001000$1,000 GC 1928 Fr.2408 $1,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1928, Fr.2408, depicting Grover Cleveland. Cleveland-GroverGrover Cleveland
(John Eissler)[39]
001000$1,000 GC 1934 Fr.2409 $1,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934, Fr.2409, depicting Grover Cleveland. Cleveland-GroverGrover Cleveland
(John Eissler)[39]
005000$5,000 LT 1878 Fr.188
Proof 		$5,000 Legal Tender note proof, Series 1878, Fr.188, depicting James Madison. Madison-JamesJames Madison
(Alfred Sealey)[53]
Eagle
(William Chorlton)[54] 		All notes have been redeemed, none outstanding[18]
005000$5,000 IBN 1863 Fr.202
Proof 		$5,000 Interest Bearing Note proof, Series 1863, Fr.202, with vignette Altar of Liberty. zAltar-of-LibertyThe Altar of Liberty
(Louis Delnoce)[55] 		Unknown[43]
005000$5,000 IBN 1865 Fr.212h
Proof 		$5,000 Interest Bearing Note proof, Series 1865, Fr.212h, vignettes depicting justice (left) and the ship New Ironsides (center). zJustice-New IronsidesJustice (left)
New Ironsides (center)
(James Smillie)[29]
005000$5,000 FRN 1918 Fr.1134d $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1918, Fr.1134d, depicting James Madison. Madison-JamesJames Madison
(Alfred Sealey)[56]
Washington resigning his commission (rev)
(Louis Delnoce)[55] 		Unique (variety)
5 known (type)[nb 17]
005000$5,000 GC 1863 Fr.1166f
Proof 		$5,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1865, Fr.1166f, with a vignette of an eagle and shield (left) and justice (bottom center). zEagle-Shield-FemaleEagle with shield or E Pluribus Unum
(Charles Skinner)[37]
Female 		Unique[38]
005000$5,000 GC 1870–1875 Fr.1166k
Proof 		$5,000 Gold Certificate proof, Series 1870, Fr.1166k, depicting James Madison Madison-JamesJames Madison
(Alfred Sealey)[52] 		Unknown[38]
005000$5,000 GC 1882 Fr.1221a
Proof 		$5,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1882, Fr.1221a, depicting James Madison Madison-JamesJames Madison
(Alfred Sealey)[58] 		Two known[38]
005000$5,000 FRN 1928–1934 Fr.2220g $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1928, Fr.2220g, depicting James Madison. Madison-JamesJames Madison
(Alfred Sealey)[58]
005000$5,000 GC 1928 Fr.2410 $5,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1928, Fr.2410, depicting James Madison. Madison-JamesJames Madison
010000$10,000 LT 1878 Fr.189
Proof 		$10,000 Legal Tender note proof, Series 1878, Fr.189, depicting Anderw Jackson. Jackson-AndrewAndrew Jackson
(Alfred Sealey)[59] 		All notes have been redeemed, none outstanding[18]
010000$10,000 FRN 1918 Fr.1135d $10,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1918, Fr.1135d, depicting Salmon P. Chase. Chase-SalmonSalmon Chase; Embarkation of the Pilgrims (rev) Unique (variety)
5 known (type)[nb 18]
010000$10,000 GC 1863 Fr.1166g
Proof 		$10,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1865, Fr.1166g, with a vignette of an eagle and shield (left) and justice (bottom center). zEagle-ShieldEagle with shield or E Pluribus Unum
(Charles Skinner)[37] 		Unknown[38]
010000$10,000 GC 1870–1875 Fr.1166l
Proof 		$10,000 Gold Certificate proof, Series 1875, Fr.1166l, depicting Andrew Jackson Jackson-AndrewAndrew Jackson Unique[38]
010000$10,000 GC 1882 Fr.1223a
Proof 		$10,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1882, Fr.1223a, depicting Andrew Jackson Jackson-AndrewAndrew Jackson
(Alfred Sealey)[58] 		Two known[38]
010000$10,000 GC 1900 Fr.1225 $10,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1900, Fr.1225, depicting Andrew Jackson Jackson-AndrewAndrew Jackson
(Alfred Sealey)[58]
010000$10,000 FRN 1928–1934 Fr.2230b $10,000 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1928, Fr.2230b, depicting Salmon P. Chase. Chase-SalmonSalmon P. Chase
010000$10,000 GC 1928 Fr.2411 $10,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1928, Fr.2411, depicting Salmon P. Chase. Chase-SalmonSalmon P. Chase
010000$10,000 GC 1934 Fr.2412 $10,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934, Fr.2412, depicting Salmon P. Chase. Chase-SalmonSalmon P. Chase
100000$100,000 GC 1934 Fr.2413 Script error: No such module "anchor".$100,000 Gold Certificate, Series 1934, Fr.2413, depicting Woodrow Wilson. Wilson-WoodrowWoodrow Wilson
(G.F.C. Smillie)[50]
Reverse
(Frederick Pauling)[60] 		Was never in circulation; cannot legally be privately held

See also

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References

Explanatory footnotes

Template:Reflist

Citations

Template:Reflist

General bibliography

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External links

Template:Sister project

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  1. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, pp. 232–35.
  2. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 22.
  3. ↑ Newman, 2008, p. 326.
  4. ↑ Newman, 2008, p. 454.
  5. ↑ Newman, 2008, p. 455.
  6. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 32.
  7. ↑ Fricke, 2014, p. 122 & 124.
  8. ↑ United States Congress. Act of July, 17 1861 Chapter V. Washington D.C.: 1861
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". As to "cereal boxes" as a repository for ill-gotten bribes, compare "Little Tin Box" in the musical Fiorello!.
  13. ↑ https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/06/11/how-much-is-a-500-bill-worth.aspx Template:Bare URL inline
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ "Bill calls for $250 note to be issued with Trump portrait", Coin World, March 11, 2025, accessed May 19, 2025
  16. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, generally.
  17. ↑ Friedberg, p. 7.
  18. ↑ a b c Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 58.
  19. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 72.
  20. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 91.
  21. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 164.
  22. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 54.
  23. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Hessler, 1993, pp. 71–73.
  24. ↑ Hessler, 2004, p. 36.
  25. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 55.
  26. ↑ a b Hessler, 2004, p. 38.
  27. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 38.
  29. ↑ a b c Hessler, 1993, p. 286.
  30. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 61.
  31. ↑ a b Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 89.
  32. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 97.
  33. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 290.
  34. ↑ a b c Hessler, 1993, p. 137.
  35. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 109.
  36. ↑ a b c d e Hessler, 1993, p. 265.
  37. ↑ a b c d Hessler, 2004, p. 216.
  38. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 165.
  39. ↑ a b c d e Hessler, 1993, p. 114.
  40. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 56.
  41. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 57.
  42. ↑ a b Hessler, 1993, p. 145.
  43. ↑ a b Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 64.
  44. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 66.
  45. ↑ a b c Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, pp. 89–90.
  46. ↑ Hessler, 2004, p. 95.
  47. ↑ a b Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 98.
  48. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 180.
  49. ↑ Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 110.
  50. ↑ a b c Hessler, 1993, p. 280.
  51. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 40.
  52. ↑ a b Hessler, 2004, p. 219.
  53. ↑ Hessler, 2004, p. 39
  54. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 83.
  55. ↑ a b Hessler, 1993, p. 99.
  56. ↑ Hessler, 2004, p. 200.
  57. ↑ a b Friedberg & Friedberg, 2013, p. 159.
  58. ↑ a b c d Hessler, 2004, p. 223.
  59. ↑ Hessler, 2004, p. 39.
  60. ↑ Hessler, 1993, p. 237.


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