Product Description:
MetalStacks presents a distinctive piece of 1970s American currency with this Series 1974 $1 Federal Reserve Note, featuring the iconic green Treasury seal and signatures of Francine I. Neff (Treasurer of the United States) and William E. Simon (Secretary of the Treasury). Issued during the height of the post-Bretton Woods era — when the United States had fully transitioned away from the gold standard — this note represents a defining moment in American monetary policy: the modern fiat currency system as we know it today.
(PSV 10)
This particular example is housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly presented within a handsome wood display frame with a black matted backdrop, transforming it into a finished showcase piece ready for immediate display. The note exhibits natural signs of age and circulation consistent with its mid-1970s vintage, with subtle toning and paper texture variations that enhance its authenticity and historical character. Only one note is available, and it bears a unique serial number, making this a truly one-of-one collectible offering.
The note features the distinctive matched-letter serial number format (E...E) characteristic of standard Federal Reserve Notes, issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Virginia (District 5) — one of the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks responsible for currency distribution across the southeastern United States.
Note Information
- Series: 1974
- Denomination: $1
- Type: Federal Reserve Note
- Seal Color: Green Treasury Seal
- Issuing Bank: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (E5)
- Serial Number: E39278679E
- Signatures: Francine I. Neff (Treasurer) / William E. Simon (Secretary of the Treasury)
- Grade: Circulated
- Issuer: United States of America
- Paper Type: Government-issued cotton/linen blend
- Presentation: Rigid currency holder mounted within a wood display frame
- Availability: One (1) note only
Design Details
Obverse: Features the classic engraved portrait of George Washington at center, framed by ornate scrollwork and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond seal (E5). The green Treasury seal and matching green serial numbers (E39278679E) flank Washington's portrait, with the "FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE" designation prominently displayed across the top — distinguishing this note from Silver Certificates and United States Notes. The "SERIES 1974" designation appears alongside the signature of Secretary William E. Simon, who served as the 63rd Treasury Secretary under both Presidents Nixon and Ford. Treasurer Francine I. Neff's signature appears at the lower left.
Reverse: Displays the traditional $1 design with the Great Seal of the United States on both sides — the pyramid with the all-seeing eye (reverse of the Great Seal) on the left and the American eagle (obverse of the Great Seal) on the right. The bold "ONE" lettering and the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" anchor the center of the note. This iconic reverse design has remained essentially unchanged on $1 Federal Reserve Notes since 1935, making it one of the most recognizable currency designs in the world.
Historical Significance
The Series 1974 $1 Federal Reserve Note was issued during a pivotal period in American economic history. Just three years earlier, in 1971, President Richard Nixon had officially ended the convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold — a policy shift known as the "Nixon Shock" that effectively concluded the Bretton Woods system and ushered in the modern era of free-floating fiat currency. By 1974, the U.S. dollar was firmly established as a pure fiat currency, no longer redeemable for any precious metal.
The 1974 series specifically carries the signatures of Francine I. Neff and William E. Simon, who served together during the Ford administration. William E. Simon is notable as one of the most influential Treasury Secretaries of the 20th century, having served during the 1973 oil crisis as "Energy Czar" before being appointed Treasury Secretary in 1974. Francine I. Neff holds the distinction of being only the fourth woman ever to serve as Treasurer of the United States, continuing the trend of female leadership in the office that began with Georgia Neese Clark in 1949.
Federal Reserve Notes have been the only form of paper currency issued by the United States since 1971, when the last United States Notes were retired and Silver Certificates had already ceased production over a decade earlier. The Series 1974 note represents one of the earliest examples of fully-modern American fiat currency, anchored entirely by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government rather than any precious metal backing.
Presentation
This note is securely housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly mounted within a wood display frame with a black matted background, ready for immediate display on a desk, shelf, mantel, or wall. The framed setup protects the note while allowing full visibility of its design, green seal, serial number, and signatures. As with all MetalStacks offerings, the note has been carefully handled and verified for authenticity.
Because only one example is available, the exact note shown — including its distinct serial number and individual condition — is the note you will receive.
For additional details or collector inquiries, please contact MetalStacks at (561) 529-3001.