Serious Buyers of Large Size U.S. Paper Money

In currency collecting, “large size” U.S. currency generally refers to federal paper money issued from 1861 through 1923. These historic banknotes are physically larger than the small-size U.S. currency introduced in 1928 and still used today.

The broader category of old American paper money can include Confederate currency, silver certificates, gold certificates, United States Notes (Legal Tender Notes), Treasury Notes, Federal Reserve Notes, National Bank Notes, and obsolete currency issued by states and private banks.

Values can vary dramatically. A common, heavily circulated old note might be worth relatively little, while a rare variety in exceptional condition can be worth thousands of dollars or more.

If you have old paper money, identifying the type, date, denomination, issuing authority, variety, serial number, and condition is important before determining what it may be worth.

What Makes Old Paper Money Valuable?

Age alone does not determine the value of an old banknote. Collectors typically consider several factors, including:

• Type of note
• Date and series
• Denomination
• Rarity and variety
• Issuing bank or location
• Signatures and seal types
• Serial numbers
• Condition
• Collector demand

Two notes from the same general period can have dramatically different values, which is why it's important to properly identify old currency before selling it.

Confederate Currency

Being in South Carolina, we regularly encounter Confederate paper money that has been passed down through families or discovered in old collections.

Confederate currency is collectible, but not every Confederate note is rare or extremely valuable. Many varieties survived in substantial numbers, while others are considerably more difficult to find.

One important area to pay attention to is 1861 Confederate currency associated with Montgomery, Alabama, the Confederacy's first capital. Certain early Montgomery-issued notes are scarce and can be considerably more valuable than many later Confederate issues.

For other Confederate notes, value can depend heavily on the specific variety, denomination, signatures, issue date, and condition.

Spartan Gold & Coin is interested in Confederate currency regardless of whether you already know it is rare. If you're unsure what you have, bring it in and we'll take a look.

Large Size Silver Certificates

The United States began issuing Silver Certificates in 1878, and large-size Silver Certificates continued through the Series of 1923.

Early issues, including certain 1878 and 1880 Silver Certificates, can be scarce and valuable. Later large-size issues include notes dated 1886, 1891, 1896, 1899, and 1923.

Some of these notes are famous for their artwork. The 1896 Educational Series Silver Certificates, for example, are particularly well known among collectors for their elaborate designs.

For more commonly encountered Silver Certificates, condition can have a major effect on value. A crisp, well-preserved note can be much more desirable than the same variety with heavy circulation, tears, stains, writing, or other damage.

Large Size Gold Certificates

Gold Certificates are another important category of historic U.S. paper money. Some of the earliest issues are exceptionally rare.

Gold Certificates dated 1863 are seldom encountered. Large-size Gold Certificates dated 1882 are more likely to appear, although rarity varies considerably by denomination and specific variety.

Later large-size Gold Certificate series include 1900, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1913, and 1922. Among notes that surface in old collections, $10 and $20 Gold Certificates from the early 1900s are some of the types you may encounter.

As with other collectible currency, the denomination, series, variety, and condition can all influence value.

United States Notes and Legal Tender Notes

The terminology surrounding Legal Tender Notes can be confusing. In the collecting world, the term generally refers to historic United States Notes, many of which are recognizable by their red seals.

Large-size United States Notes were issued across numerous series, including dates such as 1862/1863, 1869, 1874, 1875, 1878, 1880, 1901, 1907, 1917, and 1923.

This is a diverse category with numerous designs and varieties.

One of the best-known examples is the 1901 $10 “Bison Note,” which features an American bison on the front. Another popular design is the $5 “Woodchopper” note, named for the image of a pioneer family and a man holding an axe.

Values depend on the exact note and its condition, so identifying the specific series and variety is important.

Obsolete Currency

Obsolete currency is a broad collector term generally used for paper money issued by private banks, businesses, states, municipalities, and other entities before the modern federal currency system became established.

You may encounter notes bearing names such as State of Georgia, State Bank of South Carolina, or the names of long-defunct banks and businesses.

Many obsolete notes are relatively common, but there are important exceptions. Value depends on the issuer, location, denomination, design, rarity, and condition.

If you find an unfamiliar piece of old paper money, don't assume it is valuable—or worthless—based solely on its age. We're happy to identify it and explain what you have.

National Bank Notes

National Bank Notes are another major category of collectible American currency and are one of our specialties.

Unlike many other forms of U.S. paper money, the issuing bank and location can have a major impact on a National Bank Note's rarity and value. Notes from scarce banks and towns can attract significant collector interest.

If you have one, visit our page about National Bank Notes to learn more about what can make these notes valuable.

Should I Clean or Repair Old Paper Money?

No. Avoid cleaning, washing, pressing, taping, trimming, or attempting to repair an old banknote before having it evaluated.

Collectors generally prefer original notes. Attempts to make old currency look better can cause permanent damage or negatively affect its collectible value.

If your note is already torn, stained, folded, or damaged, simply leave it as it is and have it evaluated in its current condition.

Sell Old Paper Money in Spartanburg, SC

If you've inherited a collection or discovered old U.S. currency, Confederate money, Silver Certificates, Gold Certificates, Legal Tender Notes, obsolete banknotes, or National Bank Notes, bring them to Spartan Gold & Coin in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

We'll help identify what you have, explain the factors that affect its value, and let you know what we would be willing to pay if you're interested in selling.

You don't need to know whether your old banknote is rare before bringing it in. That's what we're here to help determine.