Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/9/2008

Question
I have a silver certificate 1935 dollar bill that is stamped HAWAII is it worth anything or just a conversation piece?

Answer
Hello Loren,                             

These are the Hawaii Wartime Currency Notes that were released during WWII when the U.S. government released them for use only in Hawaii. The idea was that if Hawaii was occupied by the Japanese government during WWII, these notes could then be demonetized and rendered useless. That did not happen, and these notes are still legal tender. Such notes came out in $1 1935A Silver Certificates, $5, $10, and $20 denominations were Federal Reserve Notes.

These WWII emergency silver certificates can run anywhere from $10 to $150 depending on condition and grade.

The value depends on how worn your note is. Most circulated one dollar notes that have not got a star “*” in the serial number get around $5 to $12 dollars if in collectable condition. If it is a stained low grade example it is still valued as a conversation piece as you said.

I hope this information helps! Feel free to write me again for more information on this or ask me any question on US Coins.

Good Luck

PapaJack