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High-denomination currency was prevalent from the very beginning of U.S. Government issue (1860). ] of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 were issued in 1861, and $5,000 and $10,000 United States Notes were released in 1878. There are many different designs and types of high-denomination notes. High-denomination currency was prevalent from the very beginning of U.S. Government issue (1860). ] of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 were issued in 1861, and $5,000 and $10,000 United States Notes were released in 1878. There are many different designs and types of high-denomination notes.


The high-denomination bills (together with the $1 through $100 denominations) were issued in 1929 in the smaller size that remains the format to this day. The designs were as follows:
* $500: ], 25th ] (1897–1901)
* $1,000: ], 22nd and 24th U.S. President (1885–89, 1893–97)
* $5,000: ], fourth U.S. President (1809–17)
* $10,000: ], sixth ] (1864–73) * $10,000: ], sixth ] (1864–73)
* $100,000: ], 28th U.S. President (1913–21) * $100,000: ], 28th U.S. President (1913–21)
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Although they are still technically legal tender in the United States, high-denomination bills were last printed in 1945 and officially discontinued on July 14, 1969, by the ].<ref name = "Money Factory">, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing.</ref> The $5,000 and $10,000 effectively disappeared well before then. Of the $10,000 bills, 100 were preserved for many years by ], the owner of ] casino in ], ], where they were displayed encased in acrylic. The display has since been dismantled and the bills sold to private collectors. Also, there is one large-size, 1800s-era $1,000 bill in the ] in ] underneath the glass counter top. Although they are still technically legal tender in the United States, high-denomination bills were last printed in 1945 and officially discontinued on July 14, 1969, by the ].<ref name = "Money Factory">, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing.</ref> The $5,000 and $10,000 effectively disappeared well before then. Of the $10,000 bills, 100 were preserved for many years by ], the owner of ] casino in ], ], where they were displayed encased in acrylic. The display has since been dismantled and the bills sold to private collectors. Also, there is one large-size, 1800s-era $1,000 bill in the ] in ] underneath the glass counter top.

The Federal Reserve began taking high-denomination bills out of circulation in 1969. {{As of|2009|5|30|df=US}}, only 336 $10,000 bills were known to exist; 342 remaining $5,000 bills; and 165,372 remaining $1,000 bills.<ref name=slate>{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Brian |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2223484/ |title=Somebody Call Officer Crumb!:How much cash can a corrupt politician cram into a cereal box? |publisher=] |date=July 24, 2009 |accessdate=July 24, 2012}} As to "cereal boxes" as a repository for ill-gotten ] compare "]" in the musical '']''.</ref> Due to their rarity, collectors will pay considerably more than the face value of the bills to acquire them. Some are even in other parts of the world in museums.

For the most part, these bills were used by banks and the Federal Government for large financial transactions. This was especially true for gold certificates from 1865 to 1934. However, the introduction of the ] system has made large-scale cash transactions obsolete. When combined with concerns about ] and the use of cash in unlawful activities such as the ] and ], it is unlikely that the U.S. government will re-issue large denomination currency in the near future, despite the amount of ] that has occurred since 1969. According to the US Department of Treasury website, "The present denominations of our currency in production are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Neither the Department of the Treasury nor the Federal Reserve System has any plans to change the denominations in use today."<ref>.</ref>

==$500 bill==
The $500 bill featured ] on the ] and the words "Five Hundred Dollars" on the reverse. It was released as a small-size Federal Reserve Note (sometimes nicknamed "] notes" due to the design on the reverse) in 1918 and 1934, and a small-size Gold Certificate in 1928.

{|
|{{multiple image
| align = none
| direction = vertical
| header = 1879 $500 bill
| width = 225
| image1 = US $500 1869 Legal Tender Note.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1869 $500 Legal tender note
| caption1 = Series 1869 $500 Legal tender note with a vignette of Justice and ]
| image2 = 500gold.jpg
| alt2 = A small-size $5090 gold certificate, Series 1928. The reverse is the same as the Federal Reserve Note
| caption2 = A small-size $500 gold certificate, Series 1928. The reverse is the same as the Federal Reserve Note
}}
|{{multiple image
| align = none
| direction = vertical
| header = 1918 $500 bill
| width = 225
| image1 = 500lrgsize.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1918 $500 bill, Obverse, with Chief Justice ]
| caption1 = Series 1918 $500 bill, Obverse, with Chief Justice ]
| image2 = 500lgszeback.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1918 $500 bill, Reverse, depicting ] discovering the ]
| caption2 = Series 1918 $500 bill, Reverse, depicting ] discovering the ]
}}

|{{multiple image
| align = none
| direction = vertical
| header = 1934 $500 bill
| width = 225
| image1 = 500-2f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $500 bill, Obverse, with President ]
| caption1 = Series 1934 $500 bill, Obverse, with President ]
| image2 = 500-2b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1928 and 1934 $500 bill, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1928 and 1934 $500 bill, Reverse
}}
|}

==$1,000 bill==
The $1,000 bill featured ] on the obverse and the words "One Thousand Dollars" on the reverse. It was printed as a small-size Federal Reserve Note in 1918, 1934 and 1934A, and a small-size Gold Certificate in 1928 and 1934. {{As of|2009|May|30|df=US}}, 165,372 $1,000 bills were known to exist.<ref name=slate/> '']'' game-show host ] occasionally gave $500 and $1,000 bills away as prizes, until they were discontinued.

{|
|{{multiple image
| align = none
| direction = vertical
| header = 1918 $1,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 1000-1f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1918 $1,000 bill, Obverse, with ]
| caption1 = Series 1918 $1,000 bill, Obverse, with ]
| image2 = 1000-1b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1918 $1,000 bill, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1918 $1,000 bill, Reverse
}}
|{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = 1934 $1,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 1000-2f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $1,000 bill, Obverse, with ]
| caption1 = Series 1934 $1,000 bill, Obverse, with ]
| image2 = 1000-2b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1928 or 1934 $1,000 bill, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1928 or 1934 $1,000 bill, Reverse
}}

|{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = 1934 $1,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = GoldCert1934.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $1,000 bill, Obverse, with ]
| caption1 = Series 1934 $1,000 Gold Certificate.
}}
|}

==$5,000 bill==
The $5,000 bill featured ] on the obverse. There is a large-sized $5,000 Federal Reserve Note on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. The $5,000 bill was printed as a gold certificate in 1928, and a federal reserve note in 1928, 1934, and 1934A. {{As of|2009|May|30|df=US}}, 342 $5,000 bills were known to exist.<ref name=slate/> Currently, there are no known 1928 $5000 Gold Certificates in existence except the unique specimen (# A00000001A) in the Smithsonian Institution.

{|
| {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = 1878 $5,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 5000 Dollar 1878 US Legal Tender.png
| alt1 = Series 1878 $5,000 United States Note, Obverse
| caption1 = Series 1878 $5,000 United States Note,<br> Obverse
| image2 = 5000 Dollar 1878 US Legal Tender reverse.png
| alt2 = Series 1878 $5,000 United States Note, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1878 $5,000 United States Note,<br> Reverse
}}
| {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = 1918 $5,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 5000f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1918 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Obverse
| caption1 = Series 1918 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Obverse
| image2 = 5000b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1918 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Reverse, featuring the resignation of General George Washington
| caption2 = Series 1918 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Reverse, featuring the resignation of General ]
}}
| {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = 1934 $5,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = US $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Obverse
| caption1 = Series 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Obverse
| image2 = US $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note Reverse.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1928 or 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Reverse
}}
|}

==$10,000 bill==
] appears on the $10,000 bill. It is the largest denomination of U.S. currency ever in public circulation, and was issued until 1946.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jordan Kellogg |url=http://cincinnati.com/blogs/ourhistory/2012/04/18/paper-money-introduced-to-fund-civil-war/ |title=Paper money introduced to fund Civil War |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=November 21, 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2009|May|30|df=US}}, only 336 $10,000 bills were known to have survived.<ref name=slate/> Currently, there are no known 1928 $10,000 Gold Certificates in existence except the unique specimen (# A00000001A) in the Smithsonian Institution. Photographic records show that at least three 1934 $10,000 Gold Certificates are still in existence (#s A00000001A, A00000537A, A00000540A) within government archives.
{|
|-
| ]
| {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = $10,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 10000-1f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1918 $10,000 bill, Obverse
| caption1 = Series 1918 $10,000 bill, Obverse
| image2 = 10000-1b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1918 $10,000 bill, Reverse, depicting the Pilgrims
| caption2 = Series 1918 $10,000 bill, Reverse, depicting the ]
}}
| {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header = $10,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = 10000-2f.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $10,000 bill, Obverse
| caption1 = Series 1934 $10,000 bill, Obverse
| image2 = 10000-2b.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1928 or 1934 $10,000 bill, Reverse
| caption2 = Series 1928 or 1934 $10,000 bill, Reverse
}}
|}

==$100,000 bill==

The $100,000 Series 1934 Gold Certificate featuring the portrait of ] These notes were printed from December 18, 1934, through January 9, 1935, and were issued by the Treasurer of the United States to Federal Reserve Banks only against an equal amount of gold bullion held by the Treasury Department. The notes were used only for official transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and were not circulated among the general public.<ref>{{cite web|title=Denominations|url=http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/denominations.aspx|publisher=U.S. Treasury Department|accessdate=December 5, 2011}}</ref> Photographic records show that at least seven 1934 $100,000 Gold Certificates are still in existence (#s A00000001A, A00020102A, A00020106A, A00020108A, A00020109A, A00020110A, A00020113A) as well as a number of specimen notes, including an uncut sheet of 12 specimen notes.

{{multiple image
| align = left
| direction = vertical
| header = $100,000 bill
| width = 250
| image1 = US100000dollarsbillobverse.jpg
| alt1 = Series 1934 $100,000 bill, obverse
| caption1 = Series 1934 $100,000 bill, obverse
| image2 = US100000dollarsbillreverse.jpg
| alt2 = Series 1934 $100,000 bill, reverse
| caption2 = Series 1934 $100,000 bill, reverse
}}
{{clear}}

==Fake denominations==
{{see|Fake denominations of United States currency}}
Numerous fake large denominations of US currency have been created by various individuals and organizations.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Money of the United States by denomination}}
* from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

{{US currency and coinage}}
{{Obsolete U.S. currency and coinage}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2012}}
]

Revision as of 18:21, 21 July 2013

The base currency of the United States is the U.S. dollar, and is printed on bills in seven denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. U.S. currency previously included five larger denominations. Notes in the denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 were printed for general use; a $100,000 note was printed for certain internal transactions.

Overview and history

High-denomination currency was prevalent from the very beginning of U.S. Government issue (1860). Interest-bearing notes of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 were issued in 1861, and $5,000 and $10,000 United States Notes were released in 1878. There are many different designs and types of high-denomination notes.

The reverse designs are abstract scroll-work with ornate denomination identifiers. All were printed in green, except for the Series of 1934 gold certificate, which were printed in orange on the reverse. These Series 1934 gold certificates (of denominations $100, $1000, $10000, and $100000) were issued after the gold standard was repealed and gold was compulsorily confiscated by order of President Franklin Roosevelt on March 9, 1933 (see United States Executive Order 6102), and thus were used only for intra-government transactions and not issued to the public. Of these, the $100,000 is an odd bill in that it was printed only as this Series 1934 gold certificate. This series was discontinued in 1940. The other bills are printed in black and green.

Although they are still technically legal tender in the United States, high-denomination bills were last printed in 1945 and officially discontinued on July 14, 1969, by the Federal Reserve System. The $5,000 and $10,000 effectively disappeared well before then. Of the $10,000 bills, 100 were preserved for many years by Benny Binion, the owner of Binion's Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they were displayed encased in acrylic. The display has since been dismantled and the bills sold to private collectors. Also, there is one large-size, 1800s-era $1,000 bill in the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona underneath the glass counter top.

  1. US BEP large banknote images, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing.