Yes, silver certificates are generally worth keeping because most have a collector value greater than their face value as regular currency. While they can still be spent as legal tender, doing so means you would lose out on the potential numismatic (collector) value.
In general, a silver certificate with a star in the serial number or error on the face of the bill is worth more than a silver certificate of the same year, grade, and denomination without these features. Star notes from 1957 are common, and some collectors won't buy them.
Redemption and Legal Status Today
Silver Certificates are valid currency and can still be exchanged at banks for face value, though they are not legal tender in the statutory sense that applies to Federal Reserve Notes.
1935 and 1957 Silver Certificates
Collectors sometimes call items like these “small certificates” because of their physical size and value. Because they are extremely common, they aren't worth much. Today, you can purchase these items for just over one dollar.
The value of silver certificates depends on the series year, condition, rarity, and demand. Common $1 silver certificates from the 1935 and 1957 series often sell for slightly above face value, typically ranging from a few dollars to around $10. Scarcer or higher-grade notes can be worth significantly more.
With millions of these notes issued and a substantial mintage, the condition of these notes plays a significant role in their value today. Uncirculated examples of the 1935F $1 Silver Certificate are prized for their rarity and the preservation of their crisp details and bright luster.
1878 $1,000 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill. The 1878 $1,000 Silver Certificates are extremely rare, making their value difficult to estimate. As one of the first silver certificates ever issued, this series features a portrait of William Marcy on the front.
A silver certificate is a type of legal tender in the form of paper currency that was issued by the U.S. government beginning in 1878. These certificates were eventually phased out in 1964 and today can be redeemed for their face value in cash only, rather than in actual silver.
To this day, outstanding silver certificates are still legal tender and can be spent exactly the same way as U.S. currency. Meanwhile, silver's former partner in the bimetallic system—gold—remains a prominent investment option as well as the topic of a popular tour at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
No, silver certificates can no longer be redeemed for silver coins or bullion, but can be used as legal tender to conduct transactions — or bought as a collectible.
Star notes are much scarcer than regular notes. They replaced defective notes in the printing process. Very few star notes were ever issued, so they are always prized by collectors. To identify the note as being special, the serial number starts with a star (*) instead of a letter.
Confirm the purity: Examine each piece carefully for the "925" hallmark or other markings that indicate sterling silver. Look up the current silver price: Visit financial websites or precious metal dealer sites for the up-to-date spot price of silver, listed per gram or troy ounce.
1957A $1 Silver Certificate, Star Note XF. When a currency note is deemed imperfect in its manufacture, it is replaced with a Star Note which bears a star before or after the serial number. Star Notes are scarcer than regular issues, as only a limited number are produced and fewer still are placed in circulation.
The obligation on the Series 1957 $1 Silver Certificate states, “This certifies that there is on deposit in the Treasury of the United States of America [one dollar] in silver payable to the bearer on demand… This certificate is legal tender for all debts public and private.”
As of early January 2026, the price of a silver ounce (XAG) in USD is fluctuating around the mid-$70s, with recent quotes showing values like $72.80 - $74.50 per troy ounce, though it can vary slightly by the minute, influenced by market conditions. Prices are dynamic, so checking a live tracker on financial sites like JM Bullion, Xe.com, or Metals Daily provides the most current rate.
IT HAS A SHADOW MIS PRINT ACROSS THE ENTIRE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE IN FRONT OF THE BILL AND ALSO ACROSS THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE BILL. IT IS OFF CENTER WITH THE LEFT MARGIN BEING LARGER THAN THE RIGHT ONE. THIS IS A 1935E RARE ERROR SILVER CERTIFICATE DOLLAR BILL WITH ERRORS.
Exactly 2,368,000 from the 1935A series were produced. A large red “R” in the lower right corner distinguished notes printed using regular paper while those printed with special paper had the letter “S.” This specific series are the only experimental Silver Certificates printed in this unique fashion.