$500.00 United States Notes (Legal Tenders)
Large Sized $500.00 Legal Tenders were issued for seven series: 1862, 1863, 1869, 1874, 1875, 1878 and 1880. There are ten distinct varieties (major differences with Face Design, Seal Type and / or Back Design) within this denomination. These notes are commonly called "Legal Tenders" because of their payment obligation stating "This Note is a Legal Tender.."


Series 1862			Series 1862 Face Design		Series 1862 Back Design

Series 1862 is the first Series of $500.00 Silver Certificates. The portrait in the center of the face is Albert Gallatin.


				Series 1862 - Overprinted with Small Red Seal at left. This Note has the "First Obligation" back.
Identifier LUS500-1		Fr. # 183a		Register Chittenden		Treasurer Spinner
See how much would $500 in 1862 be worth in today's dollars? $


				Series 1862 - Overprinted with Small Red Seal at upper right. This Note has the "Second Obligation" back.
Identifier LUS500-2		Fr. # 183b		Register Chittenden		Treasurer Spinner


Series 1863			Series 1863 Face Design		Series 1863 Back Design
The face and back of Series 1863 $500.00 Legal Tenders are very similar to Series 1862 notes.


				Series 1863 - Overprinted with Small Red Seal at left and 1 Serial Number at left.
Identifier LUS500-3		Fr. # 183c		Register Chittenden		Treasurer Spinner


				Series 1863 - Overprinted with Small Red Seal at upper right and 2 Serial Numbers.
Identifier LUS500-4		Fr. # 183d		Register Chittenden		Treasurer Spinner


Series 1869			Series 1869 Face Design		Series 1869 Back Design
The Series 1869 $500.00 Legal Tenders represent a complete new design from the 1862 and 1863 Series. The Portrait at the right side of the face is John Quincy Adams. The allegorical figure on the left represents "Justice". Because of the vivid colors and the blue tinted paper, this Series is refered to as the "Rainbow" series.


				Series 1869 - Overprinted with a Large Red Seal at the Right of Center.

Identifier LUS500-5		Fr. # 184		Register Allison		Treasurer Spinner


Series 1874			Series 1874 Face Design		Series 1874 Back Design
The Faces and Backs of Series 1874 $500.00 Legal Tenders represent complete new designs from the previous series. The portrait on the right side of the face is Major General Joseph Mansfield. The allegorical figure on the left side represents "Victory".


				Series 1874 - Overprinted with a Small Red Seal with Rays.

Identifier LUS500-6		Fr. # 185a		Register Allison		Treasurer Spinner


Series 1875			Series 1875 Face Design		Series 1875 Back Design
The Faces and Backs of 1875 $500.00 Legal Tenders are similar to those of the previous Series.


				Series 1875 - Overprinted with a Small Red Seal with Rays.

Identifier LUS500-7 LUS500-8		Fr. # 185b 185c		Register Allison Allison		Treasurer New Wyman


Series 1878			Series 1878 Face Design		Series 1878 Back Design
The Faces and Backs of Series 1878 $500.00 Legal Tenders are similar to those of the previous Series.


				Series 1878 - Overprinted with a Small Red Seal with Rays.

Identifier LUS500-9		Fr. # 185d		Register Allison		Treasurer Gilfillan

Series 1880<BR>Face Design

Series 1880
Face Design

Series 1880<BR>Back Design

Series 1880
Back Design

The Faces and Backs of Series 1880 $500 Legal Tenders are similar to those of the previous Series.


				Series 1880 - Overprinted with a Large Brown Seal.

Identifier LUS500-10 LUS500-11		Fr. # 185e 185f		Register Scofield Bruce		Treasurer Gilfillan Wyman


Series 1880 - Overprinted with a Large Plain Red Seal.
				Series 1880 - Overprinted with a Large Plain Red Seal.

Identifier LUS500-12 LUS500-13		Fr. # 185g 185h		Register Rosecrans Rosecrans		Treasurer Jordan Hyatt


				Series 1880 - Overprinted with a Large Spiked Red Seal.

Identifier LUS500-14		Fr. # 185i		Register Rosecrans		Treasurer Huston


				Series 1880 - Overprinted with a Small Scalloped Red Seal.

Identifier LUS500-15 LUS500-16 LUS500-17 LUS500-18 LUS500-19		Fr. # 185j 185k 185l 185m 185n		Register Rosecrans Tillman Bruce Lyons Napier		Treasurer Nebeker Morgan Roberts Roberts McClung

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