People bring in old bills from a dresser drawer, a family Bible, or a coffee can in the attic and ask the same few questions. Here are plain answers from Apex Gold Silver Coin at 605 Walnut St SW in Winston-Salem about selling old US paper money. Quick note up front: we do not offer appraisals. We look at your notes and make a buy offer, and we explain that offer on the spot.
Do you buy old paper money?
Yes. We buy older US paper money at the coin shop, including silver certificates, red seal United States Notes, gold certificates, large-size notes, and star notes. We price what we can use and tell you why. If a note is just worth face value, we will say so instead of dressing it up. Our coins page has a paper-money section with more on what we buy.
Do you buy silver certificates (blue seal notes)?
Yes. Silver certificates are the bills with a blue seal and blue serial numbers, and the words “Silver Certificate” printed across the top. The $1 notes from series 1935 and 1957 are the ones we see most. They are a common walk-in item, and we look at the series, the condition, and the serial number before we make an offer.
Is a $1 silver certificate worth a lot?
Usually not a lot. Most $1 silver certificates are common, so the offer is often modest. Condition and series matter: a crisp, uncirculated note is worth more than a worn, folded one, and some series and star notes do better than others. We will not quote a number before we see the note, and we will not promise a windfall.
Can I still redeem a silver certificate for silver?
No. The government stopped exchanging silver certificates for silver in 1968. Today they are still legal tender at face value, but any value above face comes from collectors, not from a silver payout. That is why condition and series matter so much.
Old silver coins are a different story, since those are priced on silver content. See Selling Pre-1964 Silver Coins in Winston-Salem if your stash includes dimes, quarters, or halves.
Do you buy red seal United States Notes?
Yes. Red seal notes are United States Notes with a red seal and red serial numbers. In the small size, they are most often $2 and $5 bills. Many are common and worn, while sharp examples and star notes can do better. Bring them in and we will go through them with you.
What about gold certificates with a yellow seal?
We buy them. Gold certificates have a gold or yellow-orange seal and say “Gold Certificate” on the note. They are legal to own today. Like other old notes, the offer depends on the denomination, the series, and the condition. They cannot be cashed in for gold.
What is the difference between large-size and small-size notes?
Large-size notes are the older, bigger bills printed before the government switched to today’s smaller size with series 1928. People sometimes call them “horse blankets.” They are generally more sought after than common small-size notes, but condition still drives the offer. Small-size notes are the size of the bills in your wallet now.
What is a star note?
A star note has a small star printed next to the serial number. It was printed to replace a sheet that was damaged during production. Some star notes carry extra interest, and some are common. We check the series and the condition and price it from there.
Does condition matter?
Yes, a lot. Folds, creases, tears, stains, pinholes, missing corners, and heavy wear all lower what a note is worth. Please do not try to fix a note. Do not clean, wash, iron, press, or tape it. Repairs and cleaning usually hurt value more than the original damage. Bring it in as it is.
How should I bring my notes in?
Keep them flat in a paper envelope, a currency sleeve, or between the pages of a book. Skip rubber bands, paper clips, and tape. Rubber bands can stain and crease paper money, and clips leave marks. If you have a stack, keeping them in the order you found them is fine.
What do I need to bring, and do I need an appointment?
Bring the notes and a government-issued photo ID. No appointment is needed. Just walk in during shop hours. Tania runs the counter day to day, and Jeff is the owner.
If the bills came from a relative’s estate along with coins or gold, our guide to selling inherited gold and coins in Winston-Salem walks through that visit. For general questions about selling metal, see our FAQ on selling gold and silver in Winston-Salem.
Do you appraise paper money?
No. We do not offer appraisals. We look at your notes and make a buy offer, and we explain how we got there. If you decide not to sell, that is fine.
Where are you and what are your hours?
Apex Gold Silver Coin, 605 Walnut St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Monday–Friday 10am–4pm, Saturday 12–3pm, closed Sunday. Phone (336) 505-9503.
Watches go next door
Paper money, coins, gold, and silver come to the coin shop at 605. High-end watches go next door to Apex Gold Silver Watches at 607 Walnut St SW.
Ready to sell old paper money?
Put your notes in an envelope or sleeve, bring a photo ID, and walk in during hours. We will go through each note, make a buy offer, and explain it on the spot. People come in from Greensboro, Lexington, Mount Airy, Reidsville, and nearby; that is our service area, and the shop is the one location on Walnut Street. Questions first? Call (336) 505-9503 or use our contact page.
