What is a $1000 Bill Called? Exploring the Ultra-Rare Grand Note

Jul, 25 2025

Imagine catching a glimpse of a $1000 bill—yep, it actually existed and still stirs curiosity in money nerds, collectors, and even regular folks who just love a good story. This isn't your everyday $1 or $20. This monster of a note turns heads and drops jaws, even though you won't spot one in your local ATM. But what do people actually call it? Hang on, because this isn't just a trivia question for your next game night; this bill packs in decades of history, a crowd of famous faces, and more than a few conspiracy theories. If you ever wondered what made the $1000 bill special, or why someone would need such a thing, you’re about to find out.

The Proper Name for the $1000 Bill (and Who’s on It)

The $1000 bill has a nickname—the "Grand." This word works as a handy slang term for a thousand dollars (just like "grand" for a stack of regular bills), but when people talk about the literal bill, they usually call it the "$1000 note" or the "thousand-dollar bill." If you ever get your hands on one (seriously unlikely, unless you're a hardcore collector or running a museum), you’ll spot a familiar face: Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. The portrait isn’t just a nod to a random historical figure—Cleveland was chosen for his serious vibe and role in U.S. politics.

The bill went through several design tweaks over the years, but Cleveland’s stoic face started showing up on the Series 1928 and 1934 Federal Reserve notes, which are the ones most collectors obsess over today. Interestingly, even before that, different $1000 bills from the late 1800s featured other notable Americans. So, asking someone in the 19th century who was on the $1000 bill would get you answers ranging from Alexander Hamilton to Salmon P. Chase. Still, today, when people talk about the $1000 bill, they’re almost always thinking of the Cleveland design.

Insider fact: there are still around 165,000 of these bills theoretically out there, according to Federal Reserve stats. Most are in private hands or deep in bank vaults, never to see daylight. If you dream about finding one in your attic stash, well, don’t hold your breath. Most regular folks will never see one in the wild. And it ceased being printed for banks in 1945, with the Treasury officially discontinuing all bills above $100 in 1969 due to worries over organized crime and the rise of better banking tech for moving big sums.

The Wild History Behind the 00 Bill

This bill might seem like a unicorn today, but way back in the day, it was a powerful tool for big money movers. Picture this: before wire transfers and online banking, businesses and banks had to physically move huge sums of cash. Lugging suitcases full of $20s would have been a major pain, so high-denomination bills like the "Grand" made moving serious cash easier (and a lot less bulky). They were never really meant for trips to the grocery store, which—let’s be real—even in those days would raise eyebrows.

The $1000 bill got its start during the U.S. Civil War—one of the first issues popped up in 1861. That first version wasn’t even for general circulation; it was more like an IOU for big money between banks. Over the years, new designs crept in, with faces of powerful men cycling in and out depending on who was in charge politically. Once the Federal Reserve came on the scene in the early 1900s, the $1000 bill kind of found its groove. By the 1930s, these notes were stacked in bank drawers during dealings with other banks, big businesses, and sometimes the government. Regular folks? Not so much.

But the grand wasn’t just a bank thing. Some stories say rich Americans used them to buy houses, fancy cars, or even to gamble in Las Vegas before electronics ruled the table. Can you picture a tuxedo-clad gambler plopping down a $1000 bill at the blackjack table? It probably happened more than once. And yes, the bills were sometimes used in organized crime circles, which worried the Feds. As checks, wires, and cashless transactions took over, the need for high-value bills faded fast.

The U.S. government pulled the plug on printing the $1000 (along with $500, $5000, and $10,000 notes) in 1945. In 1969, the last official use of these big bills ended—they were officially "retired from circulation." Most of the ones branded as survivors live under glass in museums or quietly in serious collectors’ vaults. Unsurprisingly, they fetch jaw-dropping prices at auction—a $1000 bill once sold for over $3 million, though that one was a rare 1892 note with a one-of-a-kind misprint. Everyday notes are still worth far more than face value, but nowhere near that.

If you’re still wondering why banks don’t bring them back, it’s mostly due to security and practicality. High-value paper bills would just be a magnet for fraud and crime. That’s why the $100 bill stands as the largest denomination you’ll find in daily U.S. life.

Here’s a quote from numismatic legend David L. Ganz, author of "The Official Guide to U.S. Paper Money":

“The $1,000 bill is not just a piece of currency—it’s a slice of American history. For collectors, it represents a time when banking was done by hand, not by computer. Its rarity only adds to the allure; it’s the Holy Grail for many notes enthusiasts.”

Tips for Identifying and Collecting 00 Bills

Maybe you found an old envelope in your late uncle’s basement, or you've stumbled down the YouTube rabbit hole of crazy finds. Either way, identifying a $1000 bill isn't just about seeing a big number on paper—it’s all in the details.

If you’re lucky enough to handle one, check not just Cleveland’s portrait but the serial numbers, seals, and the tiny print. Most legitimate $1000 bills hail from the 1928 or 1934 series, printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Pay close attention to the color of the seals, serial numbers, and even the placement of signatures. Crooks love rare money, so fakes pop up now and then—look for shaky printing, off-color ink, or anything that doesn’t quite match official designs. There’s also a type of $1000 bill called a "Gold Certificate," but those are a whole different story—a niche for hard-core collectors who drool over special seals and colors.

As you can probably guess, these bills are worth way more than a thousand bucks today. If you fall into the one-in-a-million category and discover one, don’t rush to the bank. Go to a reputable numismatics dealer or money expert. The condition of the bill decides much of its value—crisp, clean notes with perfect corners are a collector’s dream and command the highest prices. Worn, dirty, or damaged notes are still worth loads more than face value but lose some shine in the auction spotlight.

If you’re buying, only deal with trusted sellers. Real $1000 bills almost never show up sporadically at flea markets or garage sales. If they do, and the price seems too good to be true—it is. Authentic notes from common runs can sell for $5,000 or more, with rare series and unique serial numbers skyrocketing in value. Some bills with special numbers (like repeating digits or historic runs) can add serious cash for the right collector. Don’t forget about proper storage: humidity and light can destroy old paper fast, so many collectors keep their big bills in airtight, UV-safe containers.

Curious where to catch a glimpse of the "Grand"? A few museums offer displays—like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., or the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum in Colorado Springs. If you’re serious about collecting, numismatic conventions sometimes feature super-rare bills for display or sale—just don’t expect to handle them unless you’re a VIP or really sweet-talk the staff.

Here's a quick checklist if you think you’ve got a $1000 bill on your hands:

• Is Grover Cleveland’s face on the front?
• Does it say “Federal Reserve Note” from the 1928 or 1934 series?
• Is the serial number in the right spot, with the right ink color?
• Is the paper quality consistent with old government notes?

If you’re still in doubt, ask a certified numismatist or contact the American Numismatic Association for help. Experts love talking rare money, and you might just become the envy of the collector community.

So, the next time you hear someone talking about the "$1000 bill" or the "Grand," you’ll know it’s more than street slang—it’s a quirky, sought-after piece of America’s money history. Good luck hunting!