1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate Facts and Information

The 1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate is a rare and valuable piece of currency history.

It was issued by the Department of the Treasury and featured a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.

The certificate was a silver-backed note, meaning its value was backed by a corresponding amount of silver.

It was one of the first Silver Certificates to be issued, with a total of 12 series produced between 1878 and 1899.

The 1899 five-dollar Silver Certificate was a standard denomination, but its value and rarity make it highly sought after by collectors.

It's a great example of the evolution of currency in the United States, from paper to silver-backed notes.

The 1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate has a fascinating history. G.F.C. Smillie of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing engraved the portrait of Running Antelope of the Hunkpapa Sioux.

Running Antelope wore his three-feathered headdress during the photoshoot, but it didn't fit in the space of the note. Smillie used an image of a feathered-War bonnet that was likely Pawnee instead. This decision caused controversy because the Sioux and Pawnee were enemies.

The BEP printed 566,054,000 of the 1899 five-dollar bills, but less than 12,000 are available for collectors today.

The 1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate features a powerful engraving of Running Antelope, a Chief of the Oncpapa (Hunkpapa) Lakota Sioux.

This image is highlighted by a bright vibrant blue seal and "V" denoting its denomination. The engraving was done by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which, unfortunately, wasn't aware of the Lakota and Pawnee tribes' history of being mortal enemies.

The note is referred to as a "horse blanket" note for its large size, measuring 7.5" x 3.5", which is 25% larger than today's dollar bill.

The 1899 Series $5 Oncpapa Indian Chief Silver Certificate contains a large blue seal and blue V overprint, and an elaborate reverse.

The central vignette of Running Antelope is the first and only Native American image used as the central motif on any U.S. paper currency.

Here are some key features of the 1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate:

The 1899 United States Five Dollar Silver Certificate is a unique piece of history. It's one of the most popular American currency notes ever issued. The series of 1899 five dollar silver certificates goes by many names, including Indian, chief, Running Antelope, or Onepapa.

This certificate features a Native American on the front, specifically Running Antelope or Tȟatȟóka Íŋyaŋke, a Chief of the Onepapa (Húŋkpapȟa) Lakota Sioux. The Chief passed away in 1896, so he never got to see his likeness on United States paper money.

The image of the Chief caused a lot of ill will among the tribes of the Great Plains. The engravers at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing weren't aware that the Lakota and Pawnee were mortal enemies on the Great Plains.

The 1899 Series $5 Onepapa Indian Chief Silver Certificate was $5 in legal tender and was the backbone of five-dollar silver certificates issued well into the 1920s.

This certificate measures 3-1/8” x 7-3/8” and contains a large blue seal and blue V overprint, and an elaborate reverse.