10000 us currency History and Collectibility

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The $10,000 US currency has a rich history that's steeped in controversy. It was last printed in 1945, and its large denomination made it a target for counterfeiters.

The $10,000 bill featured a portrait of Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. He was a key figure in the creation of the US currency system.

In the 1960s, the government began to phase out large denomination bills like the $10,000, citing concerns about organized crime and tax evasion.

History of $10,000 Bill

The $10,000 bill has a rich history that spans over a century. It was first introduced in 1878 as a gold certificate, featuring the portrait of Salmon P. Chase, President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury.

The highest denomination US currency, the $10,000 bill was printed from 1878 to 1934, with the 1928 series measuring 6.14 in (156 mm) by 2.61 in (66 mm).

The note was originally issued as a gold certificate, but the 1933 Executive Order 6102 limited the ownership of gold currency, so the note was redesigned and reissued as a Federal Reserve Note.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Us Currency Gold Standard

History

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Forgotten Bills from U.S. History! 😱💵

The $10,000 bill was printed from 1878 to 1934, with the first appearance in the Series 1878 legal tender.

The note was originally issued as a gold certificate. The 1933 Executive Order 6102 limited the ownership of gold currency, so the note was redesigned and reissued as a Federal Reserve Note.

The 1878 large-size "Horse Blanket" $1 measured 7.38 in (187 mm) by 3.18 in (81 mm), and the 1928 series measured 6.14 in (156 mm) by 2.61 in (66 mm). The note was reissued in the series 1914 and 1918 and in the series 1928 and 1934.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing stopped printing them in 1934 but continued to issue the notes until 1969.

1918 US $10,000 Federal Reserve Note

The 1918 US $10,000 Federal Reserve Note was a significant denomination in US currency history.

This note featured the portrait of Salmon P. Chase, President Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, and was the highest denomination US currency to publicly circulate.

For your interest: C Note Hundred Dollar Bill

Credit: youtube.com, Pawn Stars: 1918 $1000 Federal Reserve Note (Season 7) | History

The note was part of the Series 1918 and measured 6.14 in (156 mm) by 2.61 in (66 mm) in size.

The obverse text on the note read: "10,000 / FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS / 4-D / D1A / A / WASHINGTON D.C. / SERIES OF 1918 / CHASE / AUTHORIZED BY FEDERAL RESERVE ACT OF DECEMBER 23, 1913, AS AMENDED BY ACT OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1918 / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY / THESAUR AMER SEPTENT SIGIL / THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CLEVELAND OHIO."

The reverse text read: "10,000 / FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE / EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIMS / THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE BY ALL NATIONAL AND MEMBER BANKS AND FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS AND FOR ALL TAXES, CUSTOMS AND OTHER PUBLIC DUES IT IS REDEEMABLE IN GOLD ON DEMAND AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OR IN GOLD OR LAWFUL MONEY AT ANY FEDERAL RESERVE BANK."

The note was made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1918 and was a gold certificate, redeemable in gold or lawful money.

Collectibility and Value

US Dollar Bills
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A $10,000 bill can sell for a whopping $480,000 at auction, but this is an uncommon occurrence.

The value of a rare collectible bill is highly dependent on its grade, rarity, and whether it's truly unique.

Getting an expert's opinion is the best way to determine the value of your bill.

You can get an idea of your bill's value from the internet, but it's always best to have it evaluated by a professional.

Heritage Auctions is a great place to get your currency notes appraised and potentially sell them for a high price.

For another approach, see: Us Cents Value

Gold and Purchasing Power

In 1900, a $10,000 bill could buy you 483.79 ounces of pure gold at the gold spot price of $20.67.

The gold spot price has fluctuated over the years, with significant changes happening in 1934 when it increased to $35, and again in 1972 when it reached $38.

The price of gold continued to rise, reaching $42.22 in 1973.

A close-up image of euro banknotes in various denominations spread out, showcasing currency details.
Credit: pexels.com, A close-up image of euro banknotes in various denominations spread out, showcasing currency details.

A two-tiered pricing structure was established in 1968, allowing the market price of gold to fluctuate freely.

Here's a breakdown of how much gold you could buy with a $10,000 bill at different points in time:

The drastic change in gold spot price is evident, and it's interesting to note how much gold you could buy with a $10,000 bill in different eras.

General Information

The 10,000 US currency note is a relatively rare denomination that was last printed in 1945. It was a large note, measuring 7.42 inches by 3.13 inches.

The note was designed to be used in large transactions, such as business deals and international trade. Its large size made it easily noticeable and helped to prevent counterfeiting.

Description

The first ten-thousand-dollar bills were issued as large-size paper money measuring 7.38 in (187 mm) by 3.18 in (81 mm) and portrayed Andrew Jackson.

The size of the bill was reduced to the small-size variety with the 1928 series, measuring 6.14 in (156 mm) by 2.61 in (66 mm).

A close-up of a US hundred dollar bill on a warm yellow backdrop, ideal for financial themes.
Credit: pexels.com, A close-up of a US hundred dollar bill on a warm yellow backdrop, ideal for financial themes.

The 1918 version features a portrait of Salmon P. Chase, the former Treasury Secretary, on its obverse.

Its reverse features a portrait of the early settlers boarding ships, known as "The Embarkation of the Pilgrims", and the number 10,000 along with the words "Federal Reserve Note."

The 1928 and 1934 series had a simpler reverse design featuring a decorative border and the text "The United States of America", "Ten Thousand Dollars", and "10,000".

Reporting Money When Traveling

Reporting money when traveling can be a bit confusing, but it's essential to do it correctly to avoid any issues. You must declare what currency or monetary instruments you have on CBP Form 6059B if you're an international traveler entering the U.S.

If you're bringing more than $10,000 in currency or money instruments into or out of the U.S., you have a few options to report it. You can fill out the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105) online, print it out before you travel, or ask a CBP officer for a paper copy and fill it out at customs.

For another approach, see: Types of American Money

US currency bills with magnifying glass and calculator, symbolizing financial analysis.
Credit: pexels.com, US currency bills with magnifying glass and calculator, symbolizing financial analysis.

To report the money, you'll need to fill out Form FinCen 105. You can do this online or on a paper copy, and then present it to a CBP officer.

Here are your options for reporting money when you travel:

Remember to also declare what currency or monetary instruments you have on CBP Form 6059B, in addition to Form FinCen 105.

The 10000 dollar bill is a rare and historic piece of currency that features Salmon P. Chase, the Treasury Secretary under President Lincoln from 1861 to 1864.

Chase's image on the bill is justified by his significant contributions to American financial history and his role in creating a unified national currency.

The average annual salary of an American citizen at the time was between $200 and $400, making earning $10,000 a challenging feat.

In 1900, the $10,000 bill could purchase a certain amount of gold and silver, but the exact amount is not specified.

Consider reading: Early American Currency

Credit: youtube.com, $10,000 bill sells for $480,000

After 1935 until 1970, the bill could purchase a slightly different amount of gold and silver, but the exact amounts are also not specified.

The government and authorities always tried to maintain economic equilibrium to govern the country successfully.

Chase's legacy as a pivotal figure in American financial history is still remembered today, thanks in part to his image on the $10,000 bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest bill printed?

The highest denomination ever printed for public circulation in the US was the $10,000 bill. Its value can be even higher as a collector's item, especially for larger denominations like $500 and $1,000 bills.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

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