The 1957 dollar bill was the last dollar silver certificate issued by the United States government and the first paper currency to feature the now-famous motto “In God We Trust.” This article will discuss the 1957 dollar bill worth, history, its supply and rarity, and its current market value. Keep reading to find out.
Have you ever wondered about the history and value of the 1957 dollar bill? The 1957 dollar bill was printed in massive amounts back then. Even today, quite a sizable amount are still available in circulation.
The large volume of the 1957 dollar bill in circulation currently means it is not considered rare and as such barely fetches more in resale value. However, 1957 dollar bills in pristine and uncirculated condition might fetch between $12 and $15 in current market value.
In this guide, we will break down everything that you need to know with regard to the current market value of the 1957 dollar bill.
Value of the 1957 dollar bill
So, how much is the 1957 dollar bill worth? No, considering its plentiful supply and large mint quantity, these notes are considered very easy to come by among collectors. Since they are not considered rare, these notes do not fetch quite a lot.
For instance, an uncirculated 1957 dollar bill that’s still in pristine condition has a resale price range of $12 – $18. Bills that are not in very good condition barely fetch more than their face value with rates often in the range of $2 – $5. A rare category of these bills referred to as “star notes” are often priced highly and can fetch close to double the value of pristine uncirculated notes.
A Brief History of the 1957 Dollar Bill
Whenever you mention the 1957 dollar bill, anyone familiar with the history of American currencies will tell you that it’s best known for popularizing the motto of “In God We Trust”. Today, the phrase has become very much a part of the American culture.
Here are some interesting facts about the history of the 1957 dollar bill:
First US notes with the motto “In God We Trust”
The legendary iteration “In God We Trust” was already inscribed on the American 2 cent coin as early as 1863 when it was first recommended by the then treasury secretary under President Abraham Lincoln, Salmon Chase. However, it only gained nationwide popularity when it first appeared notes. That happened with the 1957 dollar bill.
The last dollar silver certificate
Besides being the first dollar bill to feature the phrase “In God We Trust”, the 1957 dollar bill also happens to be the very last silver dollar certificate to that was issued by the US government. This type of currency was later replaced by the Federal Reserve Notes.
Supply and Availability of the 1957 Dollar Bill
Up to 5.3 billion units of the 1957 dollar bill were printed, including regular bills, signature combinations, and replacement star notes. With such an abundance, rarity of this notes isn’t possible. In fact, most of these notes are still in circulation today.
The total supply was released in three series, each featuring a different signature combination. However, none of these series is significantly rarer than the others, making them equally attractive to collectors. Furthermore, no unique variations of the 1957 dollar bill would make it particularly rare or valuable.
Factors Influencing the Value of the 1957 Dollar Bill
The true worth of a 1957 dollar bill depends on a number of factors. Here are some of the main ones that you might want to pay attention:
1. Rarity and Value
The 1957 dollar bill is not considered rare, so don't expect high resale prices for typical notes from this series. However, given that 5.3 billion silver certificates were printed and released, the current market prices make sense. On average, a 1957 dollar bill in pristine, uncirculated condition can sell for $12 – $15 each.
2. Exceptional Bills
There are exceptions to the average price range. And that regards different categories of the 1957 dollar bills. Some of the special variants with potential for high market value include Star notes, special error notes in high demand, and bills with exceptional aesthetics that collectors consider to have a high visual appeal.
Only rare uncirculated notes with a rating of MS 63 (PCGS Choice UNC PPQ63) and above are known to fetch high price tags in the collectors’ market. Less valuable bills fetch slightly more or equal to their current face value.
3. Series Variation
The 1957 dollar bills are available in different series variations, each with a different price range for their bills. Here's a summary of their average retail prices in an uncirculated MS 63 rating:
- Standard circulation notes from the regular 1957 series: $16-$18
- Standard regulation notes from Series 1957-A: $10-$12
- Standard regulation notes from Series 1957-B: $8-$10
4. Star Notes
Star notes have more consistent prices. Star notes from Series 1957 and Series 1957-A tend to go for around $20 – $22 in uncirculated condition, with Series 1957-B being sold for an average of $24.
Categories of Highly Valuable 1957 Dollar Bills
There exists a category of 1957 dollar bills that are considered very valuable, more than even the unique error notes. These notes possess distinguishing features that collectors value highly in the open market.
Some of the great values in this category often have rare combinations of seals/signatures, distinct serial numbers, and sets featuring consecutive serial numbers. All these features make the note stand out from the rest. To better understand these bills, let's look at some of them:
1. Solid Serial Number 88888888
This unique 1957 silver certificate features a special serial number that contains a solid block of 8s. This distinctive feature elevates the note's value range from under $30 to thousands of dollars.
The serial number 88888888 is highly sought-after by currency collectors in the United States, and the last sale of this note occurred at an auction in January 2022 for $8,700, making it the most expensive 1957 silver certificate.
2. Low Serial Number X00000001 A
Bills that sport extremely low serial numbers are always popular with collectors, irrespective of their production year. Some with a lower sequential number are the earliest ones printed for a specific series, making them highly sought-after by collectors who appreciate their sentimental value.
For example, the highly sought-after gem with the genesis serial X00000001A sold at an auction for $8050 in September 2005.
3. Matching Serial X00000032 A
Most individual 1957 dollar bills aren't all that valuable, but the value of these notes can be enhanced when you have a collection featuring serial numbers which match across variations or blocks of the series. An example is the matching serial X00000032A, which is considered one of the rarest and most valuable 1957 dollar bills by collectors.
Conclusion
While the 1957 dollar bill is no longer in circulation, it can still be exchanged for its face value of one dollar. However, if you're a collector or investor, you may be interested to know that some 1957 dollar bills are worth significantly more than their face value due to rarity or condition.
Overall, whether you're a currency collector, a history buff, or just curious about the value of money, exploring the world of the 1957 dollar bill can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
