US $1000 Dollar Banknote First Issued 1918

The US $1000 banknote first issued in 1918 is one of the most iconic and highest denomination notes ever produced for general Federal Reserve use. Created primarily for large interbank transfers and wholesale financial settlements, these notes were never intended for everyday spending and today are considered exceptionally rare, museum-grade pieces of American monetary history.

This note belongs to the early Federal Reserve Note issues of the twentieth century. It is printed in black ink on the front with a coloured Treasury seal and serial numbers, and a green engraved design on the reverse. The level of engraving detail reflects the peak craftsmanship of classic US banknote production.

The obverse features a central engraved portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first US Secretary of the Treasury and one of the principal architects of the American financial system. His portrait sits within an ornate oval frame, surrounded by intricate scrollwork and bold “1000” denomination numerals in each corner. Across the top runs the title “The United States of America”, with “One Thousand Dollars” prominently displayed along the lower border.

On the reverse, a large eagle dominates the centre of the design, wings spread, symbolising strength and national authority. Decorative engraving and repeated “1000” numerals fill the surrounding space, framed by an elaborate patterned border typical of high denomination notes of the period.

Although these notes technically remain legal tender in the United States, they were officially withdrawn from circulation in the late 1960s and are no longer used in the banking system. Most financial institutions will not accept them due to their rarity, very high face value and the need for specialist authentication. As a result, surviving examples are usually held in private collections, traded through specialist dealers, or preserved in museums.

We are able to review and process genuine historic high-denomination US banknotes such as this. Because of their value and scarcity, enhanced authentication and expert verification are always required before any exchange is confirmed. This means processing times are longer than for standard circulating notes, and every submission is assessed individually on receipt.

Withdrawn high-value notes like the 1918 $1000 are handled under strict verification procedures. While many authentic notes can be exchanged, acceptance is always subject to successful authentication and condition assessment once the note has been physically received and examined. This approach is designed to protect customers while maintaining the integrity of the exchange process, without implying guaranteed acceptance.

• Indicate the quantity of US $1000 banknotes you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the provisional exchange value

If you are looking to exchange old US dollar banknotes, we provide a secure and trusted UK service for withdrawn and historic United States currency. Many banks no longer handle these large denomination issues, but our specialist service is designed specifically for legacy notes that require careful expert review.

High-denomination historic notes are no longer in circulation even though they remain legal tender. Each note is individually checked and authenticated before we confirm whether it can be accepted for exchange.

For all high-value transactions, we will require valid identification in order to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (AMLR).

Image: National Museum of American History