This page was created to help answer the many emails I receive from ebay members and my website requesting the information shown below. I would be happy to answer any other question you may have.
All small size $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 notes were printed only in the 1928, 1934, 1934 A, 1934 B, or 1934 C series. Although all these High Denomination notes are rare, the 34 B and 34 C series are extremely rare with none having been seen. The 1928 series were "Redeemable in Gold on demand." The 1934 A, B and C series were the last High Denomination notes printed in 1945. On July 14, 1969 the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve system announced that due to lack of use, the High Denomination notes would be discontinued immediately. All High Denomination notes that are turned into banks are forwarded to the Federal Reserve and destroyed.
We receive several emails asking "who is in the portraits on the High Denomination notes?" We also get asked how many of these notes were printed. Below you will find the answers to both questions. Keep in mind that only a fraction of the notes printed are still in existence.
Portraits on High Denomination Notes:
- William McKinley (25th President) is on the $500
- Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th President) is on the $1,000
- James Madison (4th President) is on the $5,000
- Salmon Chase (Treasury Secretary under Lincoln) is on the $10,000
history of
small size
high denomination notes