Silver certificates were issued between 1878 and 1964 in the United States as part of its circulation of paper currency.[12] They were produced in response to silver agitation by citizens who were angered by the Fourth Coinage Act, which had effectively placed the United States on a gold standard.[13] The certificates were initially redeemable for their face value of silver dollar coins and later (for one year – 24 June 1967 to 24 June 1968) in raw silver bullion.[12] Since 1968 they have been redeemable only in Federal Reserve Notes and are thus obsolete, but still valid legal tender.[12]
Large-size silver certificates (1878 to 1923)[nb 2] were issued initially in denominations from $10 to $1,000 (in 1878 and 1880)[15][16] and in 1886 the $1, $2, and $5 were authorized.[16][17] In 1928, all United States bank notes were re-designed and the size reduced.[18] The small-size silver certificate (1928–1964) was only issued in denominations of $1, $5, and $10.[19] The complete type set below is part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.