gold certificate

American  

noun

1. a former U.S. paper currency issued by the federal government for circulation from 1865 to 1933, equal to and redeemable for gold to a stated value.

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gold certificate British  

noun

1. a currency note issued exclusively to the Federal Reserve Banks by the US Treasury. It forms a claim on gold reserves deposited by the Federal Reserve Banks at the Treasury and is used to transfer interbank balances within the Federal Reserve System

2. Also called: gold note.  (formerly) a banknote issued by the US Treasury to the public and redeemable in gold

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Etymology

Origin of gold certificate

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

A detective tapped him for weapons, found a "hot" $20 gold certificate.

From Time Magazine Archive

The process in which this and other Federal Reserve Banks have been engaged is the substitution, as a circulating medium, of a note which is elastic in quality for the inelastic gold certificate.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur

Again the roll of bills came out and another $20 gold certificate was gathered in by Officer 666, who grinned as he took it.

From Officer 666 by Currie, Barton Wood

The use of the gold certificate saves the loss of the gold that comes through abrasion when handled.

From Business Hints for Men and Women by Calhoun, Alfred Rochefort

“Will you swear that man gave you this bill?” cut in the thief, sharply, snatching out a pencil and marking the gold certificate across the corner.

From Officer 666 by Currie, Barton Wood