A 1953 Series E savings bond is worth $163.38 to $178.14 per $25 of face value (the amount printed on the bond) in November 2026, by issue month.
A $100 bond is worth $653.52 to $712.56, and a $10,000 bond $65,352.00 to $71,256.00. Bought at 75% of face, each is worth 8.71 to 9.50 times its price.
Every 1953 bond stopped earning interest in 1993, so these values are final. Treasury's Savings Bonds Value Files price every 1953 issue month, and the calculator lists 7 face values in all 12 months; January and February issues are highest and March lowest.
Values for November 2026 (final values)
How Much Is a 1953 Series E Savings Bond Worth in November 2026?
A 1953 Series E bond is worth $163.38 (a $25 bond issued March 1953) to $71,256.00 (a $10,000 bond issued January or February 1953) in November 2026. See Series E savings bonds, 1941 to 1980, for the rules. Table 1 lists the 12 issue months, 7 face values and each stop date.
Table 1: What a 1953 Series E savings bond is worth in November 2026, by issue month and face value
| Issue month | $25 | $50 | $100 | $200 | $500 | $1,000 | $10,000 | Interest stopped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1953 | $178.14 | $356.28 | $712.56 | $1,425.12 | $3,562.80 | $7,125.60 | $71,256.00 | Jan 1, 1993 |
| February 1953 | $178.14 | $356.28 | $712.56 | $1,425.12 | $3,562.80 | $7,125.60 | $71,256.00 | Feb 1, 1993 |
| March 1953 | $163.38 | $326.76 | $653.52 | $1,307.04 | $3,267.60 | $6,535.20 | $65,352.00 | Mar 1, 1993 |
| April 1953 | $165.41 | $330.82 | $661.64 | $1,323.28 | $3,308.20 | $6,616.40 | $66,164.00 | Apr 1, 1993 |
| May 1953 | $165.41 | $330.82 | $661.64 | $1,323.28 | $3,308.20 | $6,616.40 | $66,164.00 | May 1, 1993 |
| June 1953 | $165.81 | $331.62 | $663.24 | $1,326.48 | $3,316.20 | $6,632.40 | $66,324.00 | Jun 1, 1993 |
| July 1953 | $165.81 | $331.62 | $663.24 | $1,326.48 | $3,316.20 | $6,632.40 | $66,324.00 | Jul 1, 1993 |
| August 1953 | $165.81 | $331.62 | $663.24 | $1,326.48 | $3,316.20 | $6,632.40 | $66,324.00 | Aug 1, 1993 |
| September 1953 | $166.33 | $332.66 | $665.32 | $1,330.64 | $3,326.60 | $6,653.20 | $66,532.00 | Sep 1, 1993 |
| October 1953 | $168.43 | $336.86 | $673.72 | $1,347.44 | $3,368.60 | $6,737.20 | $67,372.00 | Oct 1, 1993 |
| November 1953 | $168.44 | $336.88 | $673.76 | $1,347.52 | $3,368.80 | $6,737.60 | $67,376.00 | Nov 1, 1993 |
| December 1953 | $168.86 | $337.72 | $675.44 | $1,350.88 | $3,377.20 | $6,754.40 | $67,544.00 | Dec 1, 1993 |
Note: face values issued in 1953 are $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 and $10,000, in every month (TreasuryDirect calculator windows). Prices are 75% of face (31 CFR 316.2(b)).
Source: Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Savings Bonds Value Files (Fiscal Data, dataset 015-BFS-2014Q3-094, updated November 2, 2026), redemption month November 2026. Values for each face value are the file's $25-unit value times face/25; Series E values have not changed since final maturity.
Is a 1953 Savings Bond a War Bond?
No: Treasury calls the Series E "the 'War Bond' of 1942-45 and subsequently just the savings bond", so a 1953 Series E bond is a savings bond in Treasury's wording (TreasuryDirect). Treasury pays no premium for age or design. For what WWII war bonds, issued 1941 to 1945, are worth now, see that page.
Why Every 1953 Bond Stopped Earning Interest in 1993
Every 1953 Series E bond reached final maturity (the date interest stops) between January 1 and December 1, 1993, 40 years after its issue month (31 CFR 316.8(b)).
- Issue: January to December 1953, at 75% of face
- Schedule band: issues May 1952 to January 1957, final maturity May 1992 to January 1997
- Final maturity: the first of each issue month in 1993
- Value since: the same figure in every month of the file through May 2027
The 30-year life applies only to Series E bonds issued from December 1965; other savings bonds mature and stop earning interest on different dates.
Why a March 1953 Bond Is Worth Less Than a February 1953 Bond
A March 1953 bond is worth $163.38 per $25 of face in November 2026, $14.76 less than a February 1953 bond ($178.14). A $100 March bond is worth $653.52 against $712.56.
The step from February to March 1953 is the largest month-to-month drop among Series E issue months from May 1941 until December 1957. March 1953 sits below every issue month from May 1951 to February 1953.
The file prices 1953 in eight value groups. December 1952 shares the January and February 1953 value, the highest of any Series E issue month until March 1955 ($179.26).
Table 2: The eight 1953 value groups and the months next to them, November 2026
| Issue months | Months | $25 value | $100 value | Change per $25 | Interest stopped | Year page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1952 | 1 | $178.14 | $712.56 | Dec 1, 1992 | 1952 Series E savings bond value | |
| January to February 1953 | 2 | $178.14 | $712.56 | none | Jan 1 to Feb 1, 1993 | this page |
| March 1953 | 1 | $163.38 | $653.52 | minus $14.76 | Mar 1, 1993 | |
| April to May 1953 | 2 | $165.41 | $661.64 | plus $2.03 | Apr 1 to May 1, 1993 | |
| June to August 1953 | 3 | $165.81 | $663.24 | plus $0.40 | Jun 1 to Aug 1, 1993 | |
| September 1953 | 1 | $166.33 | $665.32 | plus $0.52 | Sep 1, 1993 | |
| October 1953 | 1 | $168.43 | $673.72 | plus $2.10 | Oct 1, 1993 | |
| November 1953 | 1 | $168.44 | $673.76 | plus $0.01 | Nov 1, 1993 | |
| December 1953 | 1 | $168.86 | $675.44 | plus $0.42 | Dec 1, 1993 | |
| January to February 1954 | 2 | $168.86 | $675.44 | none | Jan 1 to Feb 1, 1994 | 1954 Series E savings bond value |
Note: the step from February to March 1953 is the largest month-to-month drop among Series E issue months from May 1941 until December 1957.
Source: Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Savings Bonds Value Files (Fiscal Data, dataset 015-BFS-2014Q3-094, updated November 2, 2026), redemption month November 2026. Values for each face value are the file's $25-unit value times face/25; Series E values have not changed since final maturity.
What a 1953 Bond Cost and How It Grew for 40 Years
A 1953 Series E bond cost 75% of its face value, $18.75 for a $25 bond and $75 for a $100 bond, and grew in value until 1993 (31 CFR 316.2(b)). Treasury pays interest only at cashing (31 CFR 315.30): $144.63 to $159.39 on a $25 bond, $578.52 to $637.56 on a $100 bond.
Which Face Values Were Issued in 1953: Seven, From $25 to $10,000
Treasury's calculator prices 1953 Series E bonds in 7 face values, in all 12 months: $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 and $10,000 (TreasuryDirect calculator).
- $25: issue price $18.75, worth $163.38 to $178.14 in November 2026
- $50: issue price $37.50, worth $326.76 to $356.28 in November 2026
- $100: issue price $75, worth $653.52 to $712.56 in November 2026
- $200: issue price $150, worth $1,307.04 to $1,425.12 in November 2026
- $500: issue price $375, worth $3,267.60 to $3,562.80 in November 2026
- $1,000: issue price $750, worth $6,535.20 to $7,125.60 in November 2026
- $10,000: issue price $7,500, worth $65,352.00 to $71,256.00 in November 2026
The $10,000 bond is priced from May 1952 issues, so 1953 is the first year with one in every month.
No $10 bond exists for 1953 (priced June 1944 to March 1950 only), and Treasury's calculator and 31 CFR 316.2(b) list no $5,000 Series E. A trustee-only $100,000 bond is worth 10 times a $10,000 (31 CFR 316.10).
Which Savings Bonds Were Sold in 1953: Series E, H, J and K
A savings bond bought in 1953 is one of 4 series: Series E (75% of face), Series H (at face), Series J (72% of face) or Series K (at face).
H, J and K are paid at face today (K plus a final $6.90 per $500) and are cashed only by mail with FS Form 1522.
Table 3: Savings bonds sold in 1953: Series E, H, J and K
| Attribute | Series E | Series H savings bonds | Series J | Series K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sold | May 1941 to June 1980 | June 1952 to December 1979 | May 1952 to April 1957 | May 1952 to April 1957 |
| Price | 75% of face | face value | 72% of face | face value |
| Face values | $25 to $10,000 (Table 1) | $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 | $25, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $100,000 | $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $100,000 |
| Interest | added to the value | paid every 6 months | added to the value | paid every 6 months |
| Interest stopped, 1953 issues | 40 years (1993) | 29 years 8 months (September 1982 to August 1983, our calculation) | 12 years (1965, our calculation) | 12 years (1965, our calculation) |
| Paid today | Table 1 value | face value | face value | face plus a final $6.90 per $500 |
| Where to cash | a financial institution that cashes savings bonds, or FS Form 1522 by mail | FS Form 1522 by mail | FS Form 1522 by mail | FS Form 1522 by mail |
Terms of the retired 12-year series: Series F, G, J and K savings bonds.
Sources: 31 CFR 316.2(b); 31 CFR Part 332; 31 CFR 315.35(b), (d); TreasuryDirect historical and retired bonds page (as of November 11, 2026).
Series F and G ended in April 1952 and Series A to D in April 1941, so a 1953 bond is neither. A 1953 bond is never Series EE, which began in January 1980.
How to Find the Exact Value of Your 1953 Savings Bond
Treasury prices a 1953 Series E bond by its issue month and face value; the serial number and the name printed on it do not change the value. Our savings bond calculator, built on Treasury's published value files, prices paper Series E bonds.
- Check that the bond says Series E.
- Read the issue date on a paper savings bond: month and year, upper right (31 CFR 316.2(c)(2)).
- Ignore the validation date, lower right.
- Read the face value.
- Find the row and column in Table 1; March 1953 reads lower than February.
TreasuryDirect's calculator is Treasury's free tool and marks Series E bonds "MA" (matured). A Social Security number was required only from January 1, 1974 (31 CFR 316.2(c)(1)).
Cashing a 1953 Savings Bond and Reporting Its Interest
A 1953 Series E bond is cashed at a financial institution that cashes savings bonds or by mail with FS Form 1522, and Treasury charges no fee.
See how to cash savings bonds for the paper bond routes. Banks may cash paper bonds but need not (FS Publication 0022, Rev. October 2022), and may not charge you (31 CFR 321.23(c)).
At a bank you write your Social Security number on the bond (31 CFR 315.39(a)). The mail route sends FS Form 1522 (Revised April 2026; PDF, TreasuryDirect) with the bond to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150.
Payment is by direct deposit, in 3 months or longer if the bond is in your name and 5 months or longer if not (TreasuryDirect, November 11, 2026). You can cash by mail with FS Form 1522.
Above $1,000 a notary or certifying officer must certify your signature. Every 1953 $200 bond is above that line ($1,307.04 for March, $1,425.12 for January or February), as is any $500, $1,000 or $10,000 bond.
Tax Year 1993: When Interest on a 1953 Bond Was Reportable
Interest on a 1953 bond that was never cashed became reportable for tax year 1993, the year of its final maturity, unless the owner reported it yearly or cashed the bond earlier (31 CFR 316.9; 26 U.S.C. 454; IRS Publication 550).
The interest is $578.52 to $637.56 per $100 bond, subject to federal income tax and exempt from state and local tax (31 CFR 316.9(a)). See federal tax on savings bond interest and ask a tax professional about a missed year.
Lost, Found or Inherited 1953 Bonds
Five situations change what an owner or heir does with a 1953 bond: lost, inherited, inherited with unreported interest, found, or held in Treasury records.
Table 4: Lost, found or inherited 1953 bonds
| Situation | Rule for a 1953 bond | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lost, stolen or destroyed | Claim on FS Form 1048 (Revised March 2026; PDF, TreasuryDirect). Claims 6 years or more after final maturity need the serial number (31 CFR 315.29(c)); for 1953 bonds that is January to December 1999 or later (our calculation). Treasury Hunt has been unavailable since September 30, 2025. | FS Form 1048 claim for lost, stolen or destroyed savings bonds |
| Owner has died | The surviving "OR" co-owner or the P.O.D. (payable-on-death) beneficiary takes the bond, otherwise the estate (31 CFR 315.70). | savings bonds after death |
| Inherited, interest never reported | If the owner died before the bond's final maturity, interest earned before death is income in respect of a decedent unless reported on the owner's final return. If the owner was alive at final maturity, the interest was reportable for 1993 (26 CFR 1.454-1(a)(1); IRS Publication 550). | taxes on inherited savings bonds |
| Found among papers | The value comes from Table 1. Check the owner name, co-owner and beneficiary before cashing. | found old savings bonds |
| Held in Treasury records, not in hand | Treasury may share the owner's name and address with a State that has an information-sharing agreement once the bond is more than 3 years past final maturity (31 U.S.C. 3105(f); 31 CFR 323.11; 89 FR 102735, December 18, 2024); no such agreement is publicly known as of November 11, 2026. | unclaimed savings bonds |
Other Issue Years and Face Values
Other issue years and every face value issued in 1953 are listed below. A December 1952 bond is worth $178.14 per $25 in November 2026, a January 1954 bond $168.86.
- 1951 Series E savings bond value
- 1952 Series E savings bond value
- 1954 Series E savings bond value
- 1955 Series E savings bond value
- $25 savings bond worth
- $50 savings bond worth
- $100 savings bond worth
- $200 savings bond worth
- $500 savings bond worth
- $1,000 savings bond worth
- $10,000 savings bond worth
1953 Savings Bond FAQ
How much is a $25 savings bond from 1953 worth today?
A $25 savings bond from 1953 is worth $163.38 to $178.14 in November 2026, final values; it cost $18.75.
How much is a $50 Series E savings bond from 1953 worth?
A $50 Series E savings bond from 1953 is worth $326.76 (March issue) to $356.28 (January or February issue) in November 2026, final values; it cost $37.50.
How much is a $100 savings bond from 1953 worth?
A $100 savings bond from 1953 is worth $653.52 (March) to $712.56 (January or February) in November 2026, final values; it cost $75.
How much is a $10,000 Series E bond from 1953 worth?
A $10,000 Series E bond issued in 1953 is worth $65,352.00 (March) to $71,256.00 (January or February) in November 2026, final values; it cost $7,500.
Can you still cash a 1953 Series E savings bond?
Yes: a 1953 Series E bond can be cashed at any time and does not expire (31 CFR 315.35(c); EO 13968, 85 FR 83745); it has earned nothing since 1993.
Is a 1953 savings bond worth more to a collector?
Treasury pays a 1953 bond's redemption value, $163.38 to $178.14 per $25 in November 2026, and no collector premium. Treasury pays only the owner or a person entitled (31 CFR 315.39(b)).
Will a 1953 savings bond be worth more next year?
No: a 1953 bond's value stays the same next year, because interest stopped in 1993; the value files show one figure in every month from its final-maturity month through May 2027.
Claiming from Treasury and from state programs costs nothing, and the forms are free. Found bonds you cannot cash, or a relative's bonds? ClaimMyBonds is a private company, not the government; we can help with the paperwork, tracing and follow-up.