Description
FR‑219 — 1886 $1 Silver Certificate “Martha Washington”
Large Brown Seal — PMG 25 Very Fine+ (Mounted, Rust)
This is a bright, well‑preserved example of the first‑issue 1886 $1 Silver Certificate, cataloged as Friedberg 219 and known universally as the Martha Washington. Featuring the only portrait of a real woman ever placed on U.S. federal paper money, the 1886 design remains one of the most historically significant and visually distinctive notes of the 19th century.
Features & Diagnostics
- Friedberg Number: FR‑219
- Seal Type: Large Brown Seal
- Signatures: Rosecrans / Huston
- Grade: PMG 25 Very Fine+
- Comments: Mounted; Rust
- Paper Quality: Bright for the grade, with strong remaining color
- Centering: Well‑balanced margins for an 1886 issue
Historical Significance
The 1886 series marked the debut of Martha Washington on U.S. currency. These Silver Certificates were redeemable for silver held by the U.S. Treasury and remained part of American commerce until the series was discontinued in 1957 — making them the nation’s second‑longest‑issued paper money type. A revised portrait appeared again in 1891, but the 1886 design remains the more ornate and desirable of the two.
Collector Appeal
Despite the PMG comment for prior mounting and rust, this note presents far better than typical VF material. The paper retains pleasing brightness, the design elements remain bold, and the overall eye appeal is strong for the grade. As the first issue of the Martha Washington type — and one of the most iconic Silver Certificates ever printed — FR‑219 continues to be a cornerstone note for 19th‑century type collectors.
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