One of the joys of collecting U.S. currency is the number of different designs it has had over the years—some of them quite unique and even beautiful. The U.S. 1899 $1 Black Eagle Silver Certificate is one of those.

While not as ornate as the iconic 1896 $5 bill with its depiction of "Electricity Presenting Light to the Word" (generally considered the most beautiful U.S. paper bill), the Black Eagle is nonetheless an attractive bill with its spread-winged American eagle holding a U.S. flag in its talons and miniature portraits of presidents Lincoln and Grant below it. It is also one of the last of the "large size" bills printed, making it a must-have for collectors.

Condition and Rarity

As with all collectible paper money, after rarity, condition is the primary determinant of value. Beyond that, certain rarer signatures, lower serial numbers, and "star" replacement serials add value.

Since hundreds of millions of 1899 Black Eagles were printed from 1899 into the early 1920s, the bills aren't particularly rare. Estimates are that thousands still remain. But that isn't necessarily bad news since, unlike the 1896 $5 "electricity bills" that go for tens of thousands of dollars, you can get $1 Black Eagles in even the highest grades for just a few hundred. And if you're lucky enough to have one of the very rare ones, it could be worth thousands.

A Budget-Friendly Collectible Bill

The Great American Coin Company® is proud to offer 1899 $1 Black Eagle Silver Certificates in grades from Very Good to Uncirculated, making these highly desirable bills affordable to collectors regardless of their budgets.

They're just one item in our wide selection of U.S. and foreign coins and banknotes available for both seasoned and beginning collectors. Our inventory is constantly changing, so be sure to check back often.