Legal Tender

The term legal tender can be applied to any old currency that was issued as a United States note. Legal tenders were not bank issued and not backed by gold or silver. The US initially experimented with legal tenders during the Civil War. Be sure to visit our small size legal tender and type notes pages for more information.

  • Type



Fr No.DenomTypeDateGradePrice
19$1Legal Tender1874PMG 20$665
FR 19 $1

A well centered early issue Legal with small red seal with rays and floral embellishment.  Pleasing and affordable example.

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27$1Legal Tender1878CH CU $2250
FR 27 $1

An uncirculated, nicely centered 1878 Legal Tender with cherry red serial numbers and pleasing pink seal and floral embellishment.

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40$1Legal Tender1923PMG 30 $385
FR 40 $1

Broad margins all around, along with vivid red seals and numbers on this VF 30 example.

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40$1Legal Tender1923PMG 30$365
FR 40 $1

Evenly circulated example of this popular Legal.  Vivid red seal and numbers as well as balanced margins all around.

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41$2Legal Tender1862PMG 30$2165
FR 41 $2

Evenly circulated deuce with very bright colors on front and back, as well as margins all around!  PMG does note […]

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60$2Legal Tender1917CH AU$495
FR 60 $2

Some of the best margins you will see on a FR 60!  Very bright with bold inks on front and […]

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60$2Legal Tender1917PMG 40EPQ$435
FR 60 $2

Margins all around on this pleasing Jefferson deuce with cherry red seal and numbers.  No hard folds visible on this […]

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63b$5Legal Tender1863PMG 25$1650
FR 63b $5

One of only 213 examples of this popular type. Offered here is an evenly circulated and problem free Very Fine […]

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69$5Legal Tender1878CH CU $2375
FR 69 $5

A beautifully inked early issue Woodchopper with vibrant blue end paper across top margin, as well as lovely red floral […]

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69$5Legal Tender1878PMG 45$1650
FR 69 $5
88$5Legal Tender1907PMG 64 $1050
FR 88 $5

A lovely Woodchopper bearing the Teehee Burke signature combination.  A bright and vividly inked example with pleasing centering.

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91$5Legal Tender1907Gem CU $965
FR 91 $5

A lovely Gem Woodchopper with bold red seals and serial numbers and dark green reverse.  Punch-thru embossing is clearly evident […]

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136$20Legal Tender1880PMG 40$1950
FR 136 $20

A very bright Legal with bold blue serial numbers and beautiful large red spiked seal.

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181$100Legal Tender1880PMG 35 $28750
FR 181 $100

A pleasing example of this desirable issue with broad margins all around, bright paper, deep blue serial numbers and cherry […]

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