Purchasing currency for X-mas

[fireant911]

I realize that it is too late now but several weeks ago I set out to locate a $1,000 bill to give my wife for Christmas. I went to several banks and received some rather dumb looks when I made this request - some banks claimed that this denomination was never made. Back many years ago I saw one, or at least a picture of one and it had the portrait of Grover Cleveland so I know at one time these were produced (all the way up to a $100,000 with Woodrow Wilson). During one of my unsuccessful visits to a bank, another customer overheard my request and said that the government deemed it illegal to own these notes as he had been contacted to return several $500 bills he had in his possession. Does anyone acually know the truth about the higher dominations (greater than $100)?

[Rich76_911s]

I thought that higher denominations of currency above 100 were stricktly used for bank to bank transfers. I am no expert, and if you find a 1000 dollar bill could you send one to me too?

[Rich76_911s]

Here is some info:
Printing of other high-denomination bills was discontinued in 1946, but continued to circulate until 1969, when they were officially withdrawn. The $5,000 and $10,000 effectively disappeared well before then: there are only about 200 $5,000 and 300 $10,000 bills known, of all series since 1861. Most of the $10,000 bills are due to the preservation of 100 ($1,000,000) of them by Benny Binion, the owner of Binion's Horseshoe casino in Nevada. For many years, they were displayed in a glass case in the casino. The case is no longer there, and the bills were sold to collectors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_denomination_bills_in_U.S._currency

[masraum]

I've seen a $1000 bill in person. Some guy that came into a bar that I used to bartend in had one that he carried with him.

You're best bet is probably to go to a place that sells old coins, etc... It probably won't be easy to find.

[masraum]

I just did a search on google. You should try it sometime

http://www.highdenomination.com/

http://www.thecurrencyhouse.com/

http://www.google.com/search?hs=KEC&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=%241000+bill+collect&btnG=Search

[Rot 911]

I know it sounds like a cool gift, but I would be amazed that any store she goes to would accept it. Then she will be stuck going to the bank to exchange it for $100 bills.

[vangndy]

I happen to collect currnecy, among other things.
1. High denom notes ($500, $1,000, $5,00, $10,000) are not illegal to own, and small size one are still legal tender, althugh you would have a hard time spending one as they were last printed in 1934 and have been actively removed from circulation since the 1960's(?). What this means is that when a high denom notes gets to the bank, it is sent to the fed and destroyed.
2. All of these notes sell for maore than face value. Except possibly a single issue of $10,000 that were canceled and never circulated.
3. I suspect that whover contacted that person mentioned in the thread was being misled into giving up their notes to someone who knew what they are actually worth.
4. $100,000 bills were never ciruclated, they were used to secure "overnight loans" between banks, if a bank dropped below its reserve requirement. THere are 12 of these, all gold certificates, and all accounted for in a federal vault somewhere.
5. you have the best luck trying to loacte these at a coin/currency dealer. Some suggestions are:
http://www.donckelly.com/sm_type/sm_type.html#FRN scroll down to the desired denomination
http://www.kyzivatcurrency.com/catalogue2a.cfm?McatID=60#HIGH%20DENOMINATION%20NO TES
and for higher end stuff www.jhonecash.com
I would suggest small size notes, as a general rule the older the series, the more expensive it is. IF you have any questions please feel free to ask. COndition, issuing district, serial number and centering of the note can affect the value of the note. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Joeaksa]

I have a few "interesting" bills and coins as well. Have a few early 1920's gold certificates. They state on the front that "this bill is redeamable in gold"... wonder if they still would?!

Have seen and held a $1000 bill but that was 25 years ago.

JoeA