Series 1935G $1 Silver Certificate Star Replacement Note "WITH MOTTO" (Smith / Dillon) – Fr. 1617* – About Uncirculated to Crisp Uncirculated (AU 55 – Choice CU 63)

Item Overview

• Denomination: $1.00 ("One Dollar in Silver Payable to the Bearer on Demand")

• Currency Type: Small-Size U.S. Silver Certificate (Blue Treasury Seal & Blue Serials with Star Prefix)

• Series: Series 1935 G

• Key Variety: WITH MOTTO ("IN GOD WE TRUST" printed above the large central reverse "ONE")

• Catalog Reference: Friedberg # 1617* (Fr. 1617* / Star Replacement Note)

• Serial Number: * 19888731 G

• Signatures / Officials:

  • Elizabeth Rudel Smith (Treasurer of the United States)

  • C. Douglas Dillon (Secretary of the Treasury)

• Plate Position / Identifiers:

  • Check Letter: E (upper left)

  • Face Plate Number: E 7906 (lower right)

  • Back Plate Number: 6726 (lower left margin)

Variety Verification: Fr. 1616* vs. Fr. 1617*

• The Transition: In 1957, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began adding "IN GOD WE TRUST" to $1 Silver Certificates (first appearing systematically on Series 1957). However, Series 1935G was printed concurrently across the transition:

  • Fr. 1616* (No Motto): Printed without the national motto on the reverse back. Total star mintage was roughly 28.8 million notes.

  • Fr. 1617* (With Motto): Carries "IN GOD WE TRUST" centered directly above the large stylized ONE on the green reverse.

• Reverse Check: The back clearly shows "IN GOD WE TRUST" above the central denomination.

• Mintage Scarcity: Total production of Fr. 1617* star notes was limited to only 3,120,000 notes (printed in the *...G block). This represents one of the lowest mintage star replacement runs in the entire 1935 small-size silver certificate series.

Fancy Serial Breakdown

• Serial Number Analysis: 19888731

  • Digits Present: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9.

  • Pattern Breakdown: Features a tight grouping of three consecutive 8s (888), bookended by 1s (* 1...1 G). While classified technically as a standard production serial rather than a pure mathematical fancy (such as a radar or true trinary), triple-8 patterns are actively pursued for their visual appeal and positive lucky-number connotations.

Condition & Visual Grade

• Assigned Technical Grade: AU 55 to Choice Uncirculated (CU 63)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Crisp paper body with sharp embossing and bright, original paper white.

  • Pristine 90-degree squared corners and clean edge margins.

  • Free of heavy handling folds, tears, surface scuffs, pinholes, or teller ink marks.

  • Exhibits only the faintest handling wave or light count-flick from storage.

  • Deep, vivid blue ink on the Treasury seal, large numeral 1, and serial numbers.

• Centering:

  • Obverse: Nicely framed margins with slightly broader margin at the left.

  • Reverse: Well-centered with complete green lathework borders on all four sides.