Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 3/1/2010

Question
I have one dollar bill (1935)gold seal it also has Hawaii stamped  on it how much do you think its worth

Answer
Tina, it really depends greatly on condition.  It will also depend on what series (i.e., who signed your note), whether it is a starred note (with a star in the serial number it would be worth more).  The Hawaii stamped notes do have a following and have a premium over the usual note.  Do you know the story of that?  After Pearl Harbor, there was great fear that the Japanese could mount a successful invasion of the Hawaiian islands.  The notes on the island were stamped as a precaution -- if the Japanese invaded, at least they wouldn't get the monetary value of the money on the island -- the U.S. could demonitize it quickly in that eventuality (which as you know never came to pass).  Jim Lawniczak