Description
A Remarkable Piece of American Numismatic History: The 1957 Silver Certificate Star Note
This listing offers a remarkable and historically significant piece of American numismatic history. It is a 1957 Series One Dollar Silver Certificate, designated as a Star Note with serial number 54635587A. This note has been professionally graded by CGC, or Currency Grading and Certification, Inc., as Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 with the PQ, or Premium Quality, designation, a testament to its exceptional preservation, excellent centering, and full originality with no folds, tears, or stains. The note is presented in a hard-case holder, preserving its condition for generations to come.
Understanding the Star Note
The star at the end of the serial number signifies that this is a replacement note, a highly collectible variety of United States currency. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, or BEP, produces sheets of notes, any notes damaged during the printing process must be destroyed. By law, the BEP must print new notes bearing the damaged serial numbers, and these replacement notes are distinguished by a star symbol.
Star notes are inherently scarcer than regular issues because only a limited number are produced to replace defective notes. This scarcity, combined with their unique purpose, makes them widely collected by numismatists, and some of the highest prices paid for modern United States banknotes have been for star notes.
The Silver Certificate Legacy
This note is a Silver Certificate, a type of paper currency that is distinct from Federal Reserve Notes. Its most distinctive feature is the blue Treasury seal and serial numbers, setting it apart from the green seals found on standard Federal Reserve notes.
Silver Certificates were part of a historic system where the note itself was a claim on physical silver held in the United States Treasury. The obverse includes a legend stating that silver had been deposited in the Treasury and was payable on demand to the note's bearer. This redeemability ended in June 1968 when the Treasury stopped exchanging these notes for silver, though they remain legal tender today.
The 1957 series is significant as it represents the last Silver Certificates issued, with the One Dollar denomination being the last to be replaced by Federal Reserve Notes starting in 1963. These notes were printed from 1957 through the early 1960s, and the newest examples are now over half a century old. The inclusion of the PQ, or Premium Quality, designation from CGC further confirms the note's exceptional paper quality and originality.
Design and Specifications
The obverse of this note features the iconic portrait of George Washington, while the reverse displays the Great Seal of the United States. The distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers distinguish this note from modern Federal Reserve Notes.
Product Specifications
Denomination: 1 Dollar
Type: Silver Certificate
Series: 1957
Friedberg Number: Fr. 1619, Star Note
Serial Number: 54635587A
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington
Reverse: Great Seal of the United States
Seal Color: Blue
Certification: CGC, or Currency Grading and Certification, Inc.
Grade: Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 PQ
Why This Note Deserves a Place in Your Collection
This is a Star Note rarity, a replacement note printed in limited quantities, making it more collectible than standard issues. It carries CGC 66 PQ certification, with Superb Gem Uncirculated status and Premium Quality assuring outstanding preservation and originality. It represents the last Silver Certificate series, the final issuance of United States silver-backed paper currency before the transition to Federal Reserve Notes. It features an iconic blue seal design, with the distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers distinguishing it from modern green-seal Federal Reserve Notes. Most of all, it represents a high-grade Silver Certificate, especially a Star Note, a combination that is highly sought after by discerning collectors.
This note is more than currency. It is a piece of American numismatic history, offering a rare and exceptional example of the final silver-backed currency issued by the United States. For the discerning collector, it represents a truly significant and desirable acquisition.
The auction is live. Notes of this caliber do not appear often. Place your bid and secure this remarkable piece of history for your collection.
Dimensions:
Height 3.5, Width 7, Depth 0.2 inches
Weight 0.1 lbs
Condition:
Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 PQ. Exceptionally preserved, no visible flaws, excellent centering and margins.
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund pro
This listing offers a remarkable and historically significant piece of American numismatic history. It is a 1957 Series One Dollar Silver Certificate, designated as a Star Note with serial number 54635587A. This note has been professionally graded by CGC, or Currency Grading and Certification, Inc., as Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 with the PQ, or Premium Quality, designation, a testament to its exceptional preservation, excellent centering, and full originality with no folds, tears, or stains. The note is presented in a hard-case holder, preserving its condition for generations to come.
Understanding the Star Note
The star at the end of the serial number signifies that this is a replacement note, a highly collectible variety of United States currency. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, or BEP, produces sheets of notes, any notes damaged during the printing process must be destroyed. By law, the BEP must print new notes bearing the damaged serial numbers, and these replacement notes are distinguished by a star symbol.
Star notes are inherently scarcer than regular issues because only a limited number are produced to replace defective notes. This scarcity, combined with their unique purpose, makes them widely collected by numismatists, and some of the highest prices paid for modern United States banknotes have been for star notes.
The Silver Certificate Legacy
This note is a Silver Certificate, a type of paper currency that is distinct from Federal Reserve Notes. Its most distinctive feature is the blue Treasury seal and serial numbers, setting it apart from the green seals found on standard Federal Reserve notes.
Silver Certificates were part of a historic system where the note itself was a claim on physical silver held in the United States Treasury. The obverse includes a legend stating that silver had been deposited in the Treasury and was payable on demand to the note's bearer. This redeemability ended in June 1968 when the Treasury stopped exchanging these notes for silver, though they remain legal tender today.
The 1957 series is significant as it represents the last Silver Certificates issued, with the One Dollar denomination being the last to be replaced by Federal Reserve Notes starting in 1963. These notes were printed from 1957 through the early 1960s, and the newest examples are now over half a century old. The inclusion of the PQ, or Premium Quality, designation from CGC further confirms the note's exceptional paper quality and originality.
Design and Specifications
The obverse of this note features the iconic portrait of George Washington, while the reverse displays the Great Seal of the United States. The distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers distinguish this note from modern Federal Reserve Notes.
Product Specifications
Denomination: 1 Dollar
Type: Silver Certificate
Series: 1957
Friedberg Number: Fr. 1619, Star Note
Serial Number: 54635587A
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington
Reverse: Great Seal of the United States
Seal Color: Blue
Certification: CGC, or Currency Grading and Certification, Inc.
Grade: Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 PQ
Why This Note Deserves a Place in Your Collection
This is a Star Note rarity, a replacement note printed in limited quantities, making it more collectible than standard issues. It carries CGC 66 PQ certification, with Superb Gem Uncirculated status and Premium Quality assuring outstanding preservation and originality. It represents the last Silver Certificate series, the final issuance of United States silver-backed paper currency before the transition to Federal Reserve Notes. It features an iconic blue seal design, with the distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers distinguishing it from modern green-seal Federal Reserve Notes. Most of all, it represents a high-grade Silver Certificate, especially a Star Note, a combination that is highly sought after by discerning collectors.
This note is more than currency. It is a piece of American numismatic history, offering a rare and exceptional example of the final silver-backed currency issued by the United States. For the discerning collector, it represents a truly significant and desirable acquisition.
The auction is live. Notes of this caliber do not appear often. Place your bid and secure this remarkable piece of history for your collection.
Dimensions:
Height 3.5, Width 7, Depth 0.2 inches
Weight 0.1 lbs
Condition:
Superb Gem Uncirculated 66 PQ. Exceptionally preserved, no visible flaws, excellent centering and margins.
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund pro
- Low Estimate: 150.00
- High Estimate: 300.00
Buyer's Premium
25%
1957 $1 Silver Star - Last Series Rare
Estimate $150-$300
Starting Price
$1
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The Imperial Vault: National Bank Rarities
Jul 21, 2026, 6:00 PM EDTIrvine, CA, United States
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