The 1966 $100 Red Seal United States Note

Why does a $100 red seal even exist?

It was made to satisfy a law. Since the 1870s, the Treasury had been required to keep a set amount of United States notes outstanding. For decades the $2 and $5 notes did that job. When both were discontinued in August 1966, the Treasury needed another note to carry the load and chose a $100, which could hold the required total in far fewer pieces.

Printing ran through the late 1960s. Many of the notes never saw much public use; they sat in bank vaults to meet the requirement. Public distribution of all United States notes ended in January 1971 and none have been issued since.

Series 1966 $100 United States notes: signatures

How do I tell it from an ordinary old $100?

The color of the seal and serial numbers is the giveaway. A Federal Reserve note $100 of the same era has a green seal and green serials plus a black Federal Reserve Bank seal. The United States note has red serial numbers and a red Treasury seal, with UNITED STATES NOTE across the top. Franklin's portrait and the Independence Hall back look much like the green seal notes of the period.

Then read the series printed near the portrait. You should see SERIES 1966 or SERIES 1966A and the signatures should match the table. Granahan and Fowler sign the 1966. Elston and Kennedy sign the 1966A. Dorothy Andrews Elston later went by Dorothy Kabis, but the notes carry the Elston name.

Which is scarcer, 1966 or 1966A?

The 1966A. Its run was smaller than the 1966. It also came at the very end of United States note production. The 1966 has the advantage of star notes, which standard references list only for that series. A 1966 star in crisp condition is one of the more desirable small-size red seals.

What drives the value of a 1966 $100?

Every genuine example is worth more than face value, so the question is where in the collector premium band it lands. Condition comes first. Because many of these notes were stored rather than spent, uncirculated examples are not hard to find, which means collectors expect high quality. A note with folds, stains or soft paper lands lower.

After condition comes series and stars. A 1966A edges out a 1966 in the same grade and a 1966 star tops both. Fancy serial numbers, like very low numbers or solid digits, add on top of that.

• Look for folds by tilting the note under a light
• Check the four margins; each should be visible and roughly even
• Look at the serial numbers for a star at the front or an unusual pattern
• Note any pinholes, writing or ink stamps from banks

Is it legal tender?

Yes. United States notes are still legal tender and a bank will accept a 1966 $100 at face value. Don't deposit it. The bank won't pay you a collector premium and a red seal note returned to the Treasury is retired and destroyed rather than reissued. You'd be giving up the extra value and taking one more out of existence.

How do I sell one safely?

Because it's a $100 note, it's worth handling more carefully than a $2 or $5. Photograph both sides before you show it to anyone. Get offers from at least two dealers who handle small-size paper money, or consider third-party grading if it's crisp. Graded notes are easier to sell to distant buyers because the grade and authenticity have been checked.

If you're settling an estate and need a value on paper, ask a dealer for a written appraisal that lists the series, the signatures, the serial number and the condition. That record is useful for heirs and for your own peace of mind.

What else should I look for in the same envelope?

Families who held onto a red seal $100 often held onto other things too. Sort through the rest of the stack for red seal $2 and $5 notes, blue seal silver certificates, gold seal notes and any note with a brown seal. Each of those has its own page here. Keep everything flat and together until you know what you have.

Frequently asked questions