1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
If you have recently come across the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill or are willing to add one to your collection, you’ve made the right choice because this banknote is an excellent find. And although it is not particularly rare, this $1 note bill is worth a considerably reasonable price.
So, what’s the actual value of the 1957 silver certificate dollar bill? We’ll discover this, its history and everything you should know about this banknote in this article.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value Details
The 1957 silver certificate dollar bill is one of the silver certificate categories issued from 1878 to 1964 in the United States. It has three series with a blue seal and over 5 billion printed notes, including star replacement bills, regular-issue banknotes, and different signatures.
The three pieces can be identified by their marks, 1957, 1957 A, and 1957 B series. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced this dollar bill. It is composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen. Also, its shape is rectangular, and measurements include 66.28 millimeters in height, 156 millimeters wide, 1.0922 millimeters thick and 1 gram in weight.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Chart
| Mint | Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated |
| 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill | $1 | $5 | $15 | $20 |
| 1957-A Silver Certificate Dollar Bill | $1 | $5 | $12 | $21 |
| 1957-B Silver Certificate Dollar Bill | $1 | $5 | $10 | $24 |
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The three series of this banknote year have minimal variations as they look almost the same, and due to the high production, these notes may be a little higher than their face value. The first series, the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar bill, was produced on 9th September 1957. Each series has two signatures on the front page, and the signature for this series includes that of Treasury Secretary Robert Bernard Anderson and Treasury Ivy Baker Priest. There are also star notes where a star replaces a letter in the serial number; these notes are rarer and will ultimately cost more.
This note is worth up to $5 in uncirculated and average condition and will cost 418 in uncirculated condition. However, star notes range between $12 to $20 depending on their condition or grade.
1957-A Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
As earlier stated, there isn’t so much physical difference between the three series and on most occasions, they might cost approximately the same. The 1957-A Silver Certificate Dollar bill is the second series produced from 7th February 1961 till February 1963. It had two signatures, including the Treasury Secretary Clarence Douglas Dillon and Treasurer Elizabeth Rudel Smith’s signatures. And like the previous note series, it also has a star note variation worth invariably higher than standard notes. This often happens when there is an error in the printing; thus, the star shows replacement. The stars can be one to four which can be seen before or after the serial number; the number of stars you can see shows the number of times the note was replaced.
This $1 Silver certificate is worth $1 to $5 in averagely good and circulated condition and is up to $12 in uncirculated condition. However, this value might climb to about $21 with star notes as they are rarer. Also, note that these prices may sometimes differ depending on the signature type on each note.
1957-B Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The last series was produced from 17th January 1963 to November of the same year. And since the prices/value of the three series is almost the same, you shouldn’t expect much difference with this B series, but they are still considered valuable. Like others, it has two signatures on its front page: those of Treasury Secretary Clarence Douglas Dillon and Treasurer Kathryn Elizabeth Granahan. These notes also have a star note variation.
The 1957-B series dollar bill is worth $5 on average and about $10 in uncirculated condition but may significantly reach up to $24 in bills with a star. You may also check price variations with different signatures.
History of 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill
The Silver Certificates are part of the paper currency produced from 1878 to 1964 in the United States; they are regarded as representative money. The bill was created in response to the people’s silver agitation and opposition to the Fourth Coinage Act. It was first produced in large-silver certificates, in different denominations ranging from $10 to $1000, then $1, $2, and $5 in later years, in 1886. However, in 1923 the note was reduced and re-designed into small sizes, mostly issued in low denominations ranging from $1 to $10 denominations. The small-size silver certificates were produced in 1934 and 1935, then later in 1957 after their debut in 1923.
Notably, the 1957 Silver Certificate dollar bill was the first banknote printed with “IN GOD WE TRUST”, the U.S motto signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1955 to be added to the Silver certificate. It was also the last note with this motto alongside a silver standard. These notes were worth their face value in their original production years. However, this changed in 1963 when the price of Silver plummeted. Most currencies with 90% silver, including Quarters, dimes, half dollars and dollars, were worth more than their face value and were traded for their intrinsic bullion value.
Due to this change, the United States, through President Kennedy’s executive order, stopped the production of silver certificates in 1968 and further restricted their redemption for silver bullion. Thus, the Federal Reserve Notes, which Silver Certificates replaced still is used today, and the Silver Certificate stopped with the 1957 series. However, these notes have been kept by collectors and are still sold to be collected today. The note was printed in 5.3 billion copies and is still in circulation.
The 1957 silver certificate dollar bill’s front page has a portrait of George Washington facing right with bunches of bay laurel leaves on either bottom side of the oval frame. The note also has a blue seal and “WASHINGTON D.C.” written over it and “SERIES 1957” beneath it on one side and the signature under. Above the seal are the “ONE DOLLAR” face value and the serial number. On the other side of Washington’s portrait are the number 1 with a certificate of legal tender overprinted, a repetition of the note’s serial number, and another signature. Above the portrait is “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” boldly.
Meanwhile, the note’s back page has the Great Seal of the United States with an eagle having a shield featuring 13 stripes on the right and an incomplete 13-step pyramid having the eye of providence above it. In the middle of both images is the bold print of the face dollar value, “ONE”, and the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, at the top. And the country is written above at the edge of the note.
The note is printed as a standard raised printing, making it easily distinguishable from fake ones, so you can quickly tell them apart by feeling the surface. Also, while many will think the bill is paper, it is composed of fine cotton and linen material in a ratio of 75:25.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Grading
Each 1957 silver certificate bill is priced according to its grade, subject to factors such as the condition and popularity. And since it was produced long ago, the note may have more worn-out types and will need to be graded to determine its accurate value. These grades range from poor to perfect state and can be classified. Here’s how grading the 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar bill works:
- Uncirculated: This banknote has been stored after printing and is considered perfect as the note still has its details visible and the paper crisp with defined corners, free from any tear.
- Extra fine: Notes in this grade have gone through a few exchanges and may have incurred slight wear, especially in their detailing and neatness. However, they still have a considerably high value, and tears are only slightly visible.
- Fine: If you find a note in this grade, you may likely notice certain damages as it has gone from hand to hand and now looks worn and torn with rounded corners and folds. In addition, the note will now be sold for a lesser value and won’t enjoy collectability like the other grades.
- Good: Notes collected in this grade are probably collected to complete the series as they are in a bad condition and will sell for not more than their face value.
Find out how the 1957 Silver Certificate dollar bill is graded in the video below.
Rare 1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Error Lists
With over 5 billion productions, this note is unlikely to have no errors. Even star notes were produced as a result of an error during printing. And these errors may frequently be worth more than standard notes. Here are some examples of errors you may find:
1. 1957-B Silver Certificate Mismatched Serial Numbers
This means that sometimes, you may find two different serial numbers on the same note. This error may be manual or mechanical. It is manual if the inconsistency with the numbers can be seen in the first digits and is mechanical if it occurs with the last numbers; this means that the numbering machine got stuck. This error may cost about $750, so it is something you may want to look out for.
2. 1957 Silver Certificate Unique Serial Numbers
You may not find significant errors with this note worth a lot to be collected. Still, it would be best if you looked out for specific unique serial numbers like low (below 100 or 1000) or high (over 99999900) serial numbers, repetitive numbers (58585858), binary (only 0s and 1s), perfect up numbers (12345678), double quad (55556666), etc. notes like these are worth higher than normal ones.
3. 1957 Silver Certificate Inverted Numbers
This happens when the serial number is printed upside down or in the wrong direction. This is considered valuable and the extent of the error determines its price.
4. 1957 Silver Certificate Misaligned Printing
This error shows a misalignment on either side of the bill, which may make the design slightly off the center. However, this is primarily inconspicuous and may not be worth a lot.
5.1957 Silver Certificate Overprinting
An overprinting error occurs when excess ink is used during printing, making some texts or parts of the note’s design appear blurred or distorted. The value of this error is determined by how noticeable and rare it is.
Watch this video to learn more about other 1957 Silver certificate varieties worth money.
1957 Silver Certificate Dollar Bill FAQs
1. Are 1957 Dollar Bills Worth Anything?
The 1957 Silver Certificates are worth slightly higher than their face value in average condition but are up to about $18 in pristine or uncirculated condition. However, star notes are considered higher and are worth up to $24.
2. How Do I Know If My $1 Bill Is Rare?
Generally, the 1957 silver certificate bill isn’t rare due to its high production, but you may find rare conditions and unique elements with some notes, such as error and star notes.
3. How Can I Check The Serial Number On My Money?
The serial number, a combination of eleven numbers and letters, can be seen twice on the note’s front page. Occasionally, you may find stars at the beginning or end of these numbers, indicating a star note and a note replacement.
Conclusion
Since the 1957 Silver Certificate stopped production in 1963, you’d expect these notes to have stopped being in circulation. However, you can often find it today thanks to collectors and people who value these bills. They are not worth a lot and may often be just a little over their face value in low grades, but you can still find a considerably valuable one in high grades. Also, you score more points if the note has an irregularity or error, which is considered worth more. You can buy these bills in currency markets and may also find them on sale online.
