Expert: Ronald Fern - 3/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a $100 l934 bill
a series (7)
was wondering what the value was

ANSWER: Hi Grace:

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.

A lot depends on your note's condition as well as the federal reserve branch the note was issued for. You need to properly grade the note and identify which branch the notes are from. In addition, the star notes, designated with a "*" at the beginning of the serial number, are worth more. The (*) becomes a part of the serial number as a replacement note with the same serial numbers that was damaged or did not meet quality specifications when first printed.

Federal Reserve Branches - Prior to Series 1996, each Federal Reserve Note bears a regional seal at the left of the portrait. This seal, printed in black, bears the name of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank and the letter (A through L) designating the Federal Reserve district in which that bank is located. On notes of the 1950 series and later, the black Federal Reserve regional seal is smaller than earlier designs and is surrounded by sharp points. Starting with the 1996 series Federal Reserve notes, a new universal seal represents the entire Federal Reserve system. A letter and number below the upper left serial number identifies the issuing Federal Reserve Bank.

A recent issue of "Paper Money Values" shows your 1934 $100 Federal Reserve Note in very fine condition to have a retail value of $150 and $175 in extra fine condition. The star notes have a value of $200 in very fine condition.  An extra fine note has a value of $400.

Remember, should you decide to sell your notes to get at least two estimates from established currency dealers. You can find then listed at link: http://www.rarecurrency.net/ Dealers will normally pay 50% to 60% of retail for notes they are interested in.

For determining the grade of your notes as well as some other interesting facts on paper money, see link: http://www.littletoncoin.com/LCC/html/features/pdf/How_to_Collect_Paper_Money.pd

For more information on currency, see links: http://www.secretservice.gov/money_characteristics.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_one_hundred-dollar_bill

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for the information.

Just one more note I noticed on this bill it does not say in god we trust.
Is that common for this year.
It was printed from there the federal reserve of Chicago Illinois
no star on the serial G05043211A and the back of the bill is very bright green

Answer
Hi Again Grace:

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate both answers. I spend a great deal of my free time researching the responses. About half of the people who ask questions take the time to read my replies. Many fail to rate the questions. This is my only way of knowing if I'm making a difference. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Your bill did not have "In God We Trust" on it. That was common for that year. The serial number of your bill is not unusual. The Chicago Federal Reserve Branch, where your note was issued from, is not scarce. The estimates of your bill I originally provided are still accurate.

Congressional Legislation approved July 11, 1955, made the appearance of "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States. This was influenced by the Red Scare sentiment of the time, reacting to the threat posed by "godless Communism".

In God We Trust was first used on paper money in 1957 when it appeared on the one-dollar Silver Certificate. The first paper currency bearing the motto entered circulation on October 1, 1957. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) was converting to the dry intaglio printing process. During this conversion, it gradually included In God We Trust in the back design of all classes and denominations of currency.

Thank You again, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.