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A picture of a gold certificate (top image is the obverse of the certificate, bottom image is the reverse of the certificate)

Series 1934 $100 Gold Certificate, Obverse

$100,000 Gold Certificate, Obverse

The gold certificate was used from 1882 to 1933 in the United States as a form of paper currency. Each certificate gave its holder title to its corresponding amount of gold coin. All gold certificates prior to 1928 were Large Size notes. Two Small Size series were issued, the first in 1928. The 1928 issue was the last one legal for general circulation. A second Small Size series was issued in 1934, including the $100,000 denomination featuring Woodrow Wilson's portrait. However, by then the public had been banned from possessing either gold or gold certificates, and the 1934 certificates were intended only for transactions among the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. This fact was reflected by the wording of the redeemability clause, to which the phrase "as authorized by law" was appended. In addition, the phrase "in gold coin" was changed to "in gold", to emphasize that the authorized person redeeming the certificate would not be receiving its face value in pre-1933 gold coins, but rather merely bullion at whatever price was then in effect. Image File history File links Circle-contradict. ... Broadly speaking, a contradiction is an incompatibility between two or more statements, ideas, or actions. ... A picture of a gold certificate. ... A picture of a gold certificate. ... In logic (and usually without being paired with reverse), obverse has a meaning close to contrapositive. ... Reverse may refer to: Obverse and reverse side of a coin changing the direction: of movement: forward - reverse, see gearbox of a design: see reverse engineering This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Image File history File links Series1934_100gold_obverse. ... Image File history File links Series1934_100gold_obverse. ... Image File history File links 100000f. ... Image File history File links 100000f. ... A £20 Ulster Bank banknote. ... Gold coins are one of the oldest forms of money. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ...

Michael Hillegas, the first Treasurer of the United States appeared on the 1907-1922 certificate. Michael Hillegas (1728 - 29 September 1804) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The Treasurer of the United States is the only position within the United States Department of the Treasury older than the Department itself. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

A gold certificate is a banknote that is redeemable in gold. The United States issued them from 1865 to 1934, in denominations from $10 to $100,000. A £20 Ulster Bank banknote. ...

The early history of United States gold certificates is somewhat hazy. They were authorized under the Act of March 3rd, 1863, but unlike the United States Notes also authorized, they apparently were not printed until 1865. They did not have a series date, and were hand-dated upon issue. "Issue" meant that the government took in the equivalent value in gold, and the first several series of Gold Certificates promised to pay the amount only to the depositor, who was explicitly identified on the certificate itself. The first issue featured a vignette of an eagle uniformly across all denominations. Several later issues (series 1870, 1871, and 1875) featured various portraits of historical figures. The reverse sides were either blank or featured abstract designs. The only exception was the $20 of 1865, which had a picture of a $20 gold coin. United States Notes (also known as Legal Tender Notes because of their payment obligation stating This Note is a Legal Tender) are banknotes characterized by a red seal and serial number. ...

The Series of 1882 was the first series that was payable to the bearer - namely, it was transferable and anyone could redeem it for the equivalent in gold. This was the case with all gold certificate series from that point on, with the exception of 1888, 1900, and 1934. The series of 1888 and 1900 were issued to specific depositors, as before. The series of 1882 had the same portraits as the series of 1875, but a different back design, featuring a series of eagles, as well as complex border work.

The fronts of all gold certificates from 1870 to 1882 had the portrait off to one side (usually left, but occasionally the right) and a large denomination counter opposing it. The middle section held the correct verbiage and signatures, both of which varied extensively over the years.

The issues of 1905, 1907, and 1913 featured different designs, more like "modern" currency. These featured a central portrait and the customary "numbers in the corners, words on top and bottom". The reverse design was abstract, and incorporated the Great Seal of the United States.

Gold certificates, along with all other U.S. currency, were made in two sizes - a larger size from 1865 to 1928, and a smaller size from 1928 to 1934. The backs of all large-sized notes, and also the small-sized notes of series 1934, were orange. The backs of the series 1928 bills were green, and identical to the corresponding denomination of the more familiar Federal Reserve Notes, including the usual buildings on the $10 through $100 designs and the less-known abstract designs of denominations $500 and up. Various Federal Reserve Notes Notes are missing serial number imprints. ...

When the U.S. was taken off the gold standard in 1933, gold certifcates were withdrawn from circulation and it became illegal to own them. Because of this, and also due to public fear that the notes would be devalued and made obsolete, the vast majority of circulating notes were retired. Because of historical interest in the surviving notes, the legal status of gold certificates was altered in the 1960's to allow collectors to own them. Surviving notes were in effect converted to standard legal tender with no status relating to gold redemption. In general, the notes are scarce and valuable, especially examples in 'new' condition.

Another interesting note is the Series of 1900. Along with the $5000 and $10,000 of the Series of 1888, all 1900 bills ($10,000 denomination only) have been redeemed, and no longer have legal tender status. Most were destroyed, with the exception of several 1900 $10,000 bills that were in a box in a post office near the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C.. There was a fire on December 12th, 1935, and employees threw burning boxes out into the street. The box of cancelled high-denomination currency burst open. Much to everyone's dismay, they were worthless. There are several hundred outstanding, and their ownership is technically illegal, as they are stolen property. However, due to their lack of intrinsic value, the government has not prosecuted any owners, citing more important concerns. They carry a value of several hundred dollars in the numismatic market. This is the only example of "circulating" U.S. currency that is not an obligation of the government, and thus not worth the full face value. The United States Department of the Treasury is a Cabinet department, a treasury, of the United States government established by an Act of U.S. Congress in 1789 to manage the revenue of the United States government. ... Nickname: the District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Official website: http://www. ...

Summary of Gold Certificate series. All designs are black obverse and gold reverse, unless otherwise noted.

to depositor variants:

• 1865: eagle on front, abstract design on back
• 1870, 1871, 1875: portrait on front, same abstract design on back
• 1888: similar to 1875, except blank reverse
• 1900: similar to 1888

to bearer variants:

• 1882: slightly modified front from 1875, with offset portrait. New back design featuring eagles.
• 1905-1913: new design, similar to modern currency, central portrait, Great Seal of the United States on reverse
• 1922: design elements taken from 1882 or 1905-1913
• 1928: similar to Federal Reserve Notes, green back
• 1934: similar to above, gold back, for bank use only to settle gold balances. Still not legal to privately own.

Various Federal Reserve Notes Notes are missing serial number imprints. ...

See also

• Gold as an investment
• Liberty Dollar
• Silver certificate
• Perth Mint