09/20/2026
Ever seen one of these? 💵 YES… the U.S. really made $500 and $1,000 bills — and they’re still legal tender.
Before Venmo, wire transfers and moving money with the click of a button, there was BIG money. Literally.
The United States once issued $500 and $1,000 bills for moving large sums of money between banks and businesses.
The familiar small-size versions feature:
💵 $500 — President William McKinley
💵 $1,000 — President Grover Cleveland
They were last printed in 1945, and in 1969 the government officially discontinued large-denomination bills as electronic banking made them increasingly unnecessary.
But here’s the cool part…
They were never demonetized. A genuine $1,000 bill is STILL technically worth $1,000 as legal tender today.
Please don’t spend it, though. 😂
Collectors will often pay well over face value, with condition, year, Federal Reserve district, serial number, star notes and rarity all playing a role. Exceptional examples can be worth thousands more than the number printed on the bill.
These are exactly the kinds of pieces we LOVE seeing come through the door at Glen’s Pawn Shop.
Old currency tucked away in a safe? Inherited a collection? Found something unusual in an estate?
Don’t take it to the bank for face value. Bring it to us & we’ll tell you exactly what it’s worth, and help you find the right buyer.
You never know what that old piece of paper might actually be worth. 👀💵
📍 Glen’s Pawn Shop — serving Denton County since 1977
