You can ask your bank for a $1,000 bill, but they almost certainly won't have one

The $1,000 bill exists, but it stopped being printed in 1945 and was officially discontinued in 1969. Your bank does not keep them in stock because they are no longer in circulation. If you ask a teller for one, they will tell you the same thing: the bank cannot give you something it does not have.

What you might be thinking of is a cashier's check or money order — these are ways to move $1,000 or any amount of money through a bank without carrying cash. If you need to send or receive $1,000, those are the tools that actually work.

Key Takeaways

  • The $1,000 bill has not been printed since 1945 and was taken out of circulation in 1969, so no bank has them available.
  • If you need to move $1,000 without carrying cash, a cashier's check or money order from your bank is the standard method.
  • Large cash withdrawals over $10,000 trigger a federal reporting requirement, but the bank will still give you the money if it is yours.
  • If you own a $1,000 bill as a collectible, a bank cannot help you sell it — you would contact a currency dealer or auction house instead.

Why $1,000 bills are not in circulation anymore

The U.S. stopped printing high-denomination bills — $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 notes — in 1945. The government officially discontinued them in 1969. The reason was practical: large bills were rarely used in everyday transactions and were sometimes used to move money illegally. Smaller bills and electronic transfers made them unnecessary.

If you have a $1,000 bill in your possession, it is a collectible, not currency. The Federal Reserve will still exchange it for current money if you bring it to a bank, but the bank itself does not stock them and cannot order them for you.

What to do if you need to move $1,000 without cash

A cashier's check is a check written by the bank itself, not by you. You give the bank $1,000 from your account, and the bank writes a check for that amount. The person receiving it knows the money is may provide because it comes from the bank, not from your personal account. This takes a few minutes at the teller window and usually costs $5 to $15.

A money order works similarly but is issued by the bank or a post office, not written like a personal check. You pay the amount you want to send plus a small fee (usually $1 to $5), and the money order is a receipt proving you paid. The person who receives it can cash it at a bank or post office. Money orders are useful if you do not have a bank account or want to send money to someone you do not know well.

If you are sending money to another account at the same bank or a different bank, a wire transfer or ACH transfer is faster and often free. Ask your bank which option works for the person you are sending money to.

Large cash withdrawals and federal reporting

If you want to withdraw $1,000 or more in cash from your bank account, you can do that — it is your money. However, withdrawals of $10,000 or more in cash trigger a federal report called a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This is not a penalty or a sign of trouble; it is a standard reporting requirement that banks follow for all large cash transactions.

The bank will ask you why you need the cash, but they will not refuse to give it to you if the money is in your account. If you need $1,000 in cash, there is no reporting requirement, and you can straightforward ask the teller for it. The teller may need to order it if the branch does not have that much cash on hand, which usually takes a day or two.

If you own a $1,000 bill as a collectible

A $1,000 bill in good condition can be worth more than its face value to a collector. If you have one and want to sell it, a bank cannot help you — they do not buy or sell collectible currency. Instead, contact a currency dealer or numismatist (a person who collects and studies coins and bills). You can find dealers online or through local coin and collectible shops.

If you want to know what your bill is worth before selling, a dealer can appraise it for free or for a small fee. The value depends on the bill's condition, the year it was printed, and which Federal Reserve bank issued it. Selling through an auction house that specializes in currency is another option if the bill is rare or in exceptional condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a $1,000 bill from my bank?

No. Banks cannot order $1,000 bills because they are no longer printed and are not in circulation. If you need to move $1,000, ask about a cashier's check or money order instead.

Is it illegal to have a $1,000 bill?

No, it is legal to own one. If you have one, it is a collectible. You can exchange it at a bank for current money, or sell it to a currency dealer if it has value to collectors.

What if I need $1,000 in cash right now?

If you have $1,000 in your bank account, you can withdraw it as cash at the teller window. The bank may need a day or two to have that much cash available, so call ahead if you are in a hurry.

Do I need to report it if I withdraw $1,000 in cash?

No. Federal reporting only kicks in at $10,000 or more. A $1,000 cash withdrawal is routine and requires no special paperwork.

Where can I sell a $1,000 bill I own?

Contact a currency dealer, numismatist, or coin shop in your area. You can also search online for "rare currency dealers" or "numismatic auction houses." They can appraise the bill and tell you what it is worth.