100,000 Dollars, Gold Certificate, United States, 1934 (2024)

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Description (Brief):

One (1) 100,000 dollar note

Description (Brief)

United States, 1934

Description (Brief)

Obverse Image: Portrait of Woodrow Wilson.

Description (Brief)

Obverse Text: 100,000 / THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THERE IS ON DEPOSIT IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GOLD PAYABLE TO BEARER ON DEMAND AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW / GOLD CERTIFICATE / THIS CERTIFICATE IS LEGAL TENDER IN THE AMOUNT THEREOF IN PAYMENT OF ALL DEBTS AND DUES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE / WASHINGTON, D.C. / SERIES OF 1934 / A00020109A / WILSON

Description (Brief)

Reverse Image: Decorative border in orange ink. Rays radiating from the center.

Description (Brief)

Reverse Text: 100,000 / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS

The $100,000 bill is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Federal Government. Printed in 1934, it was not intended for general use, but instead was used as an accounting device between branches of the Federal Reserve. It is illegal for a private individual to own this banknote.

Date Made: 1934

Depicted: Wilson, WoodrowIssuing Authority: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Place Made: United StatesAssociated Place: United States

See more items in: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection, Coins, Currency and Medals, Gold Certificates

Exhibition: Value of Money

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: U. S. Department of the Treasury

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: NU.78.5.807Accession Number: 1978.0941Catalog Number: 78.5.807Serial Number: A00020109A

Object Name: gold certificate

Physical Description: paper (overall material)Measurements: overall: 15.7 cm x 6.6 cm x .01 cm; 6 3/16 in x 2 19/32 in x in

Metadata Usage: CC0

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-9840-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_742353

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100,000 Dollars, Gold Certificate, United States, 1934 (2024)

FAQs

How much is a 1934 $100,000 bill worth today? ›

United States one hundred-thousand-dollar bill
(United States)
Estimated value$2,296,932 (1934 to 2023), $2,246,635 (1935 to 2023)
Obverse
DesignA vignette portrait of Woodrow Wilson
Design date1934
9 more rows

Is the $100 000 gold certificate real? ›

The $100,000 bill, a gold certificate from Series 1934, is the largest denomination banknote ever produced in the United States; it was printed to facilitate transactions between Federal Reserve Banks, and was never issued for usage by the public.

What is the $100000 gold certificate issued in 1934? ›

Printed in 1934, it was not intended for general use, but instead was used as an accounting device between branches of the Federal Reserve. It is illegal for a private individual to own this banknote. Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review.

Why are gold certificates illegal? ›

However, the Great Depression and the banking crisis of 1933 forced the U.S. off the gold standard, and Gold Certificates were taken out of circulation. The Gold Reserve Act of 1934 made it illegal for private citizens to hold Gold Certificates.

What is the rarest $100 dollar bill? ›

$100 Bills That Are Worth More Than a Standard Benjamin
  • 1863 $100 Gold Certificate. $2.12 million. ...
  • 1882 $100 Gold Certificate. $822,500. ...
  • 1878 $100 Silver Certificate. $540,000. ...
  • 1890 $100 'Watermelon' Treasury Note. $356,500.
Feb 7, 2024

Can you spend a 1934 $100 bill? ›

It is U.S. government policy that all designs of Federal Reserve notes remain legal tender, or legally valid for payments, regardless of when they were issued.

Are gold certificates a good investment? ›

Their dollar value fluctuates with the market. That makes them an investment in precious metals rather than an investment in currency. It is worth noting that this modern trade in gold certificates can be risky.

How much is a $2 bill worth? ›

Most $2 bills in circulation are worth exactly that: $2. And even though you don't see a lot of $2 bills in everyday life, they are still being printed. The Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) planned to print up to 204 million $2 bills in 2022, CNN reported.

Is it illegal to own a $100 000 dollar bill? ›

A collector cannot legally hold a $100,000 bill.

How much is a U.S. $100,000 bill worth? ›

It also includes sheets of America's largest denomination currency, the $100,000 bill, which is said to be worth about $1.6 million today. The gold certificate note, which bears President Woodrow Wilson's portrait, was used only for official transactions between Federal Reserve Banks.

Can you buy gold from the US Treasury? ›

You can buy or sell precious metal bullion and coins from private dealers. The Fed neither buys nor sells precious metals. The United States Mint offers bullion through dealers.

What was the gold Confiscation Act of 1934? ›

A few months later Congress passed the Gold Reserve Act of 1934, which gave legislative permanence to Roosevelt's orders. A new set of Treasury regulations was issued providing civil penalties of confiscation of all gold and imposition of fines equal to double the value of the gold seized.

How much gold can you legally own in the US? ›

Today, there are no specific limits on how much gold a person can own in the U.S. Whether it's bullion, coins, or jewelry, you can buy, own, and possess as much gold as you like. The only restrictions may come from reporting requirements if you simultaneously buy or sell large amounts of gold.

What gold coins are illegal to own? ›

The 1933 Double Eagle gold coin, minted but never legally circulated, is considered government property. Owning one of these rare $20 coins today is not just illegal but may result in confiscation. This makes the 1933 Double Eagle a captivating yet untouchable part of gold coin history.

How much gold can you buy without reporting USA? ›

You can purchase gold in any amount using cash. However, if your purchase exceeds $10,000 in value using cash or its equivalents, you must complete Form 8300. This form asks for essential details like your name, address, and social security number.

How much is a $100 000 bill worth today? ›

If you are referring to a United States $100,000 bill, it's worth nothing because it is illegal for a private citizen to own. There ARE such bills, but they were never issued for circulation. They were for transfers of funds between Federal Reserve Banks back in the days before computers.

How much is a dollar from 1934 worth today? ›

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of June 2024, a Peace Dollar from 1934 in circulated condition is worth between $34 and $135. However, on the open market 1934 Silver Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $55000.

How much does $1000000 worth $100 bills weigh? ›

Q: How much would a million dollars in $100 bills weigh? A: A million dollars in $100 bills would weigh approximately 22 pounds or 10 kilograms.

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