Some of you might remember about a month ago I obtained a 1993 $100 star note. Well, it got me thinking, so I decided to pull all of my currency together to see what I had- it was in 3 different places until this afternoon. Keep in mind that my knowledge is currency is extremely limited at best. I don't have much to speak of, but the highlights would include a 1974 $100 bill in probably above average condition, 2 other older style $100s (1977), an older style $50 (1985) an older style $20 (1985?)- should have written it down- both in average circulated condition, a 1935 $2 bill in fair shape, an uncirculated 1976 $2 bill stamped and dated 4/11/76 (a present for my 10th birthday), and a few 1957 A and B $1 Silver Certificates. My question is about the Silver Certificates. With Morgan silver dollars it is generally accepted that about +/- 10% of those ever minted still survive today. I was wondering if such estimates/figures had ever been compiled for Silver Certificates? Has anyone ever complied such statistics and, if so, are they generally accepted as being accurate by those who collect notes? Any information would be appreciated. Oh, and I took the advice I was given and ordered a copy of the Standard Guide to Small Size U. S. Paper Money 1928 to Date. I should have it by the end of this week. Thanks!
I have never heard of any estimates of surviving silver certs. And eventhe +/- estimate of Morgans surviving, i wonder how close to official that could get. i know they melted down millions of them for the pittman act was it?! but compared to the total ... not sure .. plus the melting of silver inthe 80's adds to the uncertanty. but at least the pittman act gives us a clear number of how many were melted, just not what!
Yeah, you hit the nail on the head there. I've never been really, really confortable with signing off on the 10% figure for Morgans, it just seems to be a stat that is often quoted and generally accepted. I mean really, who knows if there are any other LaVere Redfileds out there? I guess I'm wondering if the US government kept records of such things, like how many Silver Certificates were printed versus how many were shredded, or something similar. Again, my knowledge of currency collecting is poor at best, so I was looking for a little help.
to my knowledge, they dont track which coins or currency they shred, by date or mintmark. i think they might track which denominations, but i think they only do that much to know how mch they have in circulation at a given time.
Enjoy the book. There is really no way of knowing what percentage of silver certificates remain. It would take too much effort and, get this, tax payers money to document. As for the "1935 $2 bill in fair shape" betting that's a 1928 or was it a typo and a 1953? What can I say? You're in currency geek land now!
I'm lovin' it. Yeah, the 1935 should have been 1953. I actually have two, an "A" and a "C." Sorry, should have been more careful.
