A 1973 Series E savings bond is worth $128.48 to $131.76 per $25 of face value (the amount printed on the bond) in November 2026, by issue month. That is $513.92 to $527.04 for a $100 bond and $51,392.00 to $52,704.00 for a $10,000 bond.
Every 1973 bond earned for 30 years and stopped between January 1 and December 1, 2003, so these values are final. September to November bonds are worth the most, December bonds the least. The letter on the bond is E, never EE, and the figures come from Treasury's Value Files.
Values for November 2026 (final values)
How Much Is a 1973 Series E Savings Bond Worth in November 2026?
A 1973 Series E bond is worth $128.48 (a $25 bond issued in December) to $52,704.00 (a $10,000 bond issued in September, October or November) in November 2026. See the rules of Series E savings bonds, 1941 to 1980. The redemption value is the amount Treasury pays when you cash the bond.
Table 1: What a 1973 Series E savings bond is worth in November 2026, by issue month and face value
| Issue month | $25 | $50 | $75 | $100 | $200 | $500 | $1,000 | $10,000 | Interest stopped | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1973 | $129.56 | $259.12 | $388.68 | $518.24 | $1,036.48 | $2,591.20 | $5,182.40 | $51,824.00 | Jan 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| February 1973 | $129.89 | $259.78 | $389.67 | $519.56 | $1,039.12 | $2,597.80 | $5,195.60 | $51,956.00 | Feb 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| March 1973 | $129.89 | $259.78 | $389.67 | $519.56 | $1,039.12 | $2,597.80 | $5,195.60 | $51,956.00 | Mar 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| April 1973 | $129.89 | $259.78 | $389.67 | $519.56 | $1,039.12 | $2,597.80 | $5,195.60 | $51,956.00 | Apr 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| May 1973 | $129.89 | $259.78 | $389.67 | $519.56 | $1,039.12 | $2,597.80 | $5,195.60 | $51,956.00 | May 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| June 1973 | $130.20 | $260.40 | $390.60 | $520.80 | $1,041.60 | $2,604.00 | $5,208.00 | $52,080.00 | Jun 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| July 1973 | $131.46 | $262.92 | $394.38 | $525.84 | $1,051.68 | $2,629.20 | $5,258.40 | $52,584.00 | Jul 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| August 1973 | $131.74 | $263.48 | $395.22 | $526.96 | $1,053.92 | $2,634.80 | $5,269.60 | $52,696.00 | Aug 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| September 1973 | $131.76 | $263.52 | $395.28 | $527.04 | $1,054.08 | $2,635.20 | $5,270.40 | $52,704.00 | Sep 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| October 1973 | $131.76 | $263.52 | $395.28 | $527.04 | $1,054.08 | $2,635.20 | $5,270.40 | $52,704.00 | Oct 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| November 1973 | $131.76 | $263.52 | $395.28 | $527.04 | $1,054.08 | $2,635.20 | $5,270.40 | $52,704.00 | Nov 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| December 1973 | $128.48 | $256.96 | $385.44 | $513.92 | $1,027.84 | $2,569.60 | $5,139.20 | $51,392.00 | Dec 1, 2003 | Dec 1973 to Jun 1980 |
Note: Table 1 lists all 96 values and adds a group column because 1973 falls in two final-maturity groups. Treasury's calculator prices eight face values for every 1973 issue month. Prices are 75% of face (31 CFR 316.2(b)). Groups follow 31 CFR 316.8(b); the group changes between November and December 1973. Every 1973 bond stopped earning interest in 2003, 30 years after its issue month, and these values are final.
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.
A 1973 Savings Bond Is Series E, Never Series EE
A savings bond marked Series E and dated 1973 is never Series EE, because Series EE began in January 1980 and Series E bonds carry issue dates from May 1941 to June 1980 (31 CFR 316.1).
An EE chart gives a wrong value, and no Savings Note is dated 1973. See how Series EE savings bonds, sold from 1980, differ.
When 1973 Bonds Stopped Earning Interest: January to December 2003
Every 1973 Series E bond reached final maturity (the date interest stops) on the 1st of its issue month in 2003, 30 years after issue, and has earned no interest since (31 CFR 316.8(b)). The four facts below show the rule.
- January to November 1973 issues: final maturity January 1 to November 1, 2003; the last 11 months of the June 1969 to November 1973 group
- December 1973 issues: final maturity December 1, 2003; the first month of the December 1973 to June 1980 group, the last Series E group
- Rule: 40 years for issues May 1941 to November 1965, 30 years for December 1965 to June 1980
- Timeline: TreasuryDirect dates the 30-year rule for E bonds issued after November 1965 to 1989 (TreasuryDirect timeline)
Bonds from 1963 also stopped in 2003, on the same day as the 1973 bond of each month, but after 40 years: a January 1963 $100 bond is worth $860.88, a January 1973 one $518.24. See when savings bonds mature and stop earning interest in every series.
Why a December 1973 Bond Is Worth Less Than a November 1973 Bond
A November 1973 Series E bond is worth $527.04 per $100 in November 2026 and a December 1973 bond $513.92, a gap of $13.12 ($3.28 per $25) between two issue months one month apart.
Both earned for 30 years and stopped in 2003. The step falls where 31 CFR 316.8(b) starts its last group, with December 1973.
Table 2: The seven 1973 value groups and the months next to them, November 2026
| Issue months | Months | $25 value | $100 value | Interest stopped | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1972 | 1 | $128.33 | $513.32 | Dec 1, 2002 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| January 1973 | 1 | $129.56 | $518.24 | Jan 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| February to May 1973 | 4 | $129.89 | $519.56 | Feb 1 to May 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| June 1973 | 1 | $130.20 | $520.80 | Jun 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| July 1973 | 1 | $131.46 | $525.84 | Jul 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| August 1973 | 1 | $131.74 | $526.96 | Aug 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| September to November 1973 | 3 | $131.76 | $527.04 | Sep 1 to Nov 1, 2003 | Jun 1969 to Nov 1973 |
| December 1973 | 1 | $128.48 | $513.92 | Dec 1, 2003 | Dec 1973 to Jun 1980 |
| January to April 1974 | 4 | $128.48 | $513.92 | Jan 1 to Apr 1, 2004 | Dec 1973 to Jun 1980 |
Note: December 1973 opens the last final-maturity group of 31 CFR 316.8(b). The November to December drop ($3.28 per $25) is the sixth largest of 174 one-month steps among 30-year Series E bonds (December 1965 to June 1980), by our count from the file.
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.
How the Other 1973 Issue Months Compare
1973 has seven value groups, and apart from the November to December drop the value only rises or holds from one month to the next.
January is $129.56 per $25, September to November $131.76 and December $128.48. December 1972 was $128.33, and January to April 1974 shares $128.48 with December 1973. The whole 1973 range ($3.28) equals the one step.
What a 1973 Bond Cost and How Much Interest It Earned
A 1973 Series E bond cost 75% of its face value: $18.75 for a $25 bond, $75 for a $100 bond and $750 for a $1,000 bond (31 CFR 316.2(b)).
Treasury pays the interest only when you cash the bond (31 CFR 315.30). A $100 bond carries $438.92 to $452.04 of interest, 6.85 to 7.03 times its price.
Which Face Values Were Issued in 1973: Eight, From $25 to $10,000
Treasury's calculator prices 1973 Series E bonds in 8 face values, all valid for every 1973 issue month: $25, $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 and $10,000. The list shows each issue price and the 1973 value range in November 2026.
- $25: $18.75 ($128.48 to $131.76)
- $50: $37.50 ($256.96 to $263.52)
- $75: $56.25 ($385.44 to $395.28)
- $100: $75 ($513.92 to $527.04)
- $200: $150 ($1,027.84 to $1,054.08)
- $500: $375 ($2,569.60 to $2,635.20)
- $1,000: $750 ($5,139.20 to $5,270.40)
- $10,000: $7,500 ($51,392.00 to $52,704.00)
The $10 bond was priced only through March 1950, so none is dated 1973. There was never a $5,000 Series E, so a $5,000 bond dated 1973 is Series H.
Which Savings Bonds Were Sold in 1973: Series E, Series H and Retirement Plan Bonds
A savings product bought in 1973 is one of 3 kinds: a Series E bond, a Series H bond or a U.S. Retirement Plan Bond.
Series H cost face value, paid interest every six months and stopped after 30 years (2003 for 1973 issues, our calculation; 31 CFR 332.8). Banks may not pay it (31 CFR 321.7(a)).
Retirement Plan Bonds are cashed by mail, and some may still earn. Savings Notes ended October 31, 1970 and Individual Retirement Bonds began January 1, 1975, so neither carries a 1973 date.
Table 3: Savings products sold in 1973
| Kind | Price | Face values | Interest | Stopped earning | Paid today | Where to cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series E | 75% of face | $25 to $10,000 (Table 1) | added to the value | 2003 (30 years) | Table 1 value | a financial institution that cashes savings bonds, or FS Form 1522 by mail |
| Series H savings bonds | face value | $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 | paid every six months | 30 years after issue (1973 issues: 2003, our calculation) | face value | FS Form 1522 by mail (banks may not pay Series H) |
| Retirement Plan Bonds | face value | $50, $100, $500, $1,000 | not stated in our sources | stops by the 60th month after the registered owner's death (31 CFR 341.1(b)); some may still earn | not in our data | FS Form 1522 by mail |
Sources: 31 CFR 316.2(b), 316.8(b), 332.8, 341 and 321.7(a); TreasuryDirect historical and retired bonds page (as of November 11, 2026).
How to Find the Exact Value of Your 1973 Savings Bond
Treasury prices a 1973 Series E bond by its issue month and face value; for 1973 the month decides between two value levels, $129.56 to $131.76 (January to November) and $128.48 (December) per $25. Our savings bond calculator, built on Treasury's published value files, prices paper E bonds.
- Check that the bond says Series E.
- Read the issue date on a paper savings bond, 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.
TreasuryDirect's free calculator covers E bonds and marks matured bonds "MA". The owner's Social Security number is required on E bonds issued on or after January 1, 1974 (31 CFR 316.2(c)(1)); TreasuryDirect's timeline gives October 1, 1973 for issuing agents. Neither a number nor a name changes the value.
Cashing a 1973 Savings Bond and Reporting Its Interest
A 1973 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.
Banks may cash paper bonds but need not (FS Publication 0022, Rev. October 2022), and may not charge the presenter (31 CFR 321.23(c)). A beneficiary brings the certified death certificate.
FS Form 1522 (Revised April 2026; PDF, TreasuryDirect) goes with the bond to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150. Treasury says 3 months or longer in your name, 5 if not (November 11, 2026). See how to cash by mail with FS Form 1522.
At $1,000 or less, sign and enclose a copy of your ID: a September 1973 $100 bond plus a September 1973 $75 bond ($922.32). Above $1,000, a notary or certifying officer certifies your signature: any 1973 $200 bond ($1,027.84 to $1,054.08) or $500 bond and up ($2,569.60 and up).
Tax Year 2003: When Interest on a 1973 Bond Was Reportable
Interest on a 1973 bond that was never cashed became reportable for tax year 2003, the year of its final maturity, unless reported earlier (31 CFR 316.9; 26 U.S.C. 454; IRS Publication 550).
The interest is the value minus the price, $438.92 to $452.04 per $100 bond, and federal only (31 U.S.C. 3124; 31 CFR 316.9(a)). A tax professional can advise on a missed year; see the federal tax on savings bond interest rules.
Lost, Found or Inherited 1973 Bonds
Six situations change what an owner or heir does with a 1973 bond: lost, inherited, inherited with unreported interest, found, searched for online, or held in Treasury records only.
Table 4: Lost, found or inherited 1973 bonds
| Situation | Rule for a 1973 bond | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lost, stolen or destroyed | Claim on FS Form 1048 (Revised March 2026). Claims 6 years or more after final maturity need the serial number (31 CFR 315.29(c)); for 1973 bonds that is 2009 at the latest (our calculation). Treasury's 2024 Report to Congress (March 11, 2025) said records from October 1957 to November 1973 were digitized in a phase completed January 2024, and records of 1974 to 1993 in phases completed May 2021 and February 2022. | 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 2003 final maturity, unreported interest is income in respect of a decedent unless reported on the final return (IRS Publication 550). After that, the interest became reportable for 2003; ask a tax professional about a missed year. | taxes on inherited savings bonds |
| Found among papers | The value comes from Table 1. Check the owner, co-owner and beneficiary before cashing. | found old savings bonds |
| Searched for online | Treasury Hunt's December 2019 relaunch searched only matured bonds issued after 1973, by Social Security number (2024 Report to Congress); the August 2023 upgrade covered all unredeemed bonds since 1957. It has been unavailable since September 30, 2025 (TreasuryDirect), with no online replacement. | Treasury Hunt is closed |
| Held in Treasury records, not in hand | Treasury may share the registered owner's name and address for a bond more than 3 years past final maturity with a State that has signed an information-sharing agreement, only to locate the owner (31 CFR 323.11); none is publicly known as of November 11, 2026 (89 FR 102735, December 18, 2024). | unclaimed savings bonds |
Other Issue Years and Face Values
Neighboring issue years and every Series E face value are listed below.
- 1963 Series E savings bond value (also stopped in 2003, after 40 years)
- 1969 Series E savings bond value (the other edge of the 1969 to 1973 group)
- 1971 Series E savings bond value
- 1972 Series E savings bond value
- 1974 Series E savings bond value
- 1975 Series E savings bond value
- $25 savings bond worth
- $50 savings bond worth
- $75 savings bond worth
- $100 savings bond worth
- $200 savings bond worth
- $500 savings bond worth
- $1,000 savings bond worth
- $5,000 savings bond worth (Series H in 1973)
- $10,000 savings bond worth
1973 Savings Bond FAQ
How much is a $25 savings bond from 1973 worth today?
A $25 savings bond from 1973 is worth $128.48 to $131.76 in November 2026, by issue month. A January 1973 $25 bond is worth $129.56. It cost $18.75 (75% of face), and it stopped earning interest in 2003, 30 years after issue.
How much is a $100 savings bond from 1973 worth after 30 years?
Every $100 Series E bond issued in 1973 reached final maturity after exactly 30 years and is worth $513.92 (December) to $527.04 (September to November) in November 2026. See also what a $100 savings bond is worth after 30 years in any series.
How much is a $1,000 savings bond from 1973 worth after 30 years?
A $1,000 Series E bond from 1973 is worth $5,139.20 (December) to $5,270.40 (September to November) in November 2026, 30 years of interest on a $750 price. The same page lists a $1,000 savings bond of any series.
How much is a $10,000 savings bond from 1973 worth?
A $10,000 Series E bond from 1973 is worth $51,392.00 (December) to $52,704.00 (September to November) in November 2026. It cost $7,500. By mail it needs a signature certified by a notary or certifying officer.
Why did a $100 savings bond from 1973 cost $75 and not $50?
A $100 Series E bond from 1973 cost $75 because Series E sold at 75% of face value (31 CFR 316.2(b)). The half-price rule belongs to paper Series EE, sold from 1980. A 1973 $100 bond is worth $513.92 to $527.04, never $50.
Does a 1973 savings bond expire or still earn interest?
A 1973 US savings bond, now 52 years 11 months to 53 years 10 months old, does not expire and can be cashed at any time (31 CFR 315.35(c); EO 13968, 85 FR 83745). It has earned nothing since 2003.
Has the value of a 1973 bond changed since 2003?
No: a 1973 bond's value has not changed since its final maturity in 2003. The value files show one figure for each 1973 month in every redemption period from its final maturity through May 2027, and it has only that one value.
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.