A 1974 Series E savings bond is worth $128.48 to $131.59 per $25 of face value (the amount printed on the bond) in November 2026, by issue month. That is $513.92 to $526.36 for a $100 bond. Every 1974 bond stopped earning interest in 2004, so these values are final.
Treasury's Savings Bonds Value Files price every 1974 issue month, and Treasury's calculator lists 8 face values for each. A 1974 bond is Series E, never EE, and the first year that requires the owner's Social Security number.
Values for November 2026 (final values)
How Much Is a 1974 Series E Savings Bond Worth in November 2026?
A 1974 Series E bond is worth $128.48 (a $25 bond issued January to April) to $52,636.00 (a $10,000 bond issued in December) in November 2026. See the rules of Series E savings bonds, 1941 to 1980.
Table 1: What a 1974 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1974 | $128.48 | $256.96 | $385.44 | $513.92 | $1,027.84 | $2,569.60 | $5,139.20 | $51,392.00 | Jan 1, 2004 |
| February 1974 | $128.48 | $256.96 | $385.44 | $513.92 | $1,027.84 | $2,569.60 | $5,139.20 | $51,392.00 | Feb 1, 2004 |
| March 1974 | $128.48 | $256.96 | $385.44 | $513.92 | $1,027.84 | $2,569.60 | $5,139.20 | $51,392.00 | Mar 1, 2004 |
| April 1974 | $128.48 | $256.96 | $385.44 | $513.92 | $1,027.84 | $2,569.60 | $5,139.20 | $51,392.00 | Apr 1, 2004 |
| May 1974 | $129.71 | $259.42 | $389.13 | $518.84 | $1,037.68 | $2,594.20 | $5,188.40 | $51,884.00 | May 1, 2004 |
| June 1974 | $130.02 | $260.04 | $390.06 | $520.08 | $1,040.16 | $2,600.40 | $5,200.80 | $52,008.00 | Jun 1, 2004 |
| July 1974 | $130.02 | $260.04 | $390.06 | $520.08 | $1,040.16 | $2,600.40 | $5,200.80 | $52,008.00 | Jul 1, 2004 |
| August 1974 | $130.02 | $260.04 | $390.06 | $520.08 | $1,040.16 | $2,600.40 | $5,200.80 | $52,008.00 | Aug 1, 2004 |
| September 1974 | $130.02 | $260.04 | $390.06 | $520.08 | $1,040.16 | $2,600.40 | $5,200.80 | $52,008.00 | Sep 1, 2004 |
| October 1974 | $130.02 | $260.04 | $390.06 | $520.08 | $1,040.16 | $2,600.40 | $5,200.80 | $52,008.00 | Oct 1, 2004 |
| November 1974 | $131.26 | $262.52 | $393.78 | $525.04 | $1,050.08 | $2,625.20 | $5,250.40 | $52,504.00 | Nov 1, 2004 |
| December 1974 (highest 1974 value) | $131.59 | $263.18 | $394.77 | $526.36 | $1,052.72 | $2,631.80 | $5,263.60 | $52,636.00 | Dec 1, 2004 |
Note: face values issued in 1974 are $25, $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 and $10,000, in every month (TreasuryDirect calculator windows). Prices are 75% of face (31 CFR 316.2(b)). Final maturity: 31 CFR 316.8(b). Every 1974 bond stopped earning interest in 2004, after 30 years. 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 1974 Savings Bond Is Series E, Never Series EE
A savings bond dated 1974 is a Series E bond, because Series EE began in January 1980 and every bond dated May 1941 to June 1980 is Series E (31 CFR 316.1). See how Series EE savings bonds, sold from 1980, differ.
Why Every 1974 Bond Stopped Earning Interest in 2004
Every 1974 Series E bond reached final maturity (the date interest stops) on the 1st of its issue month in 2004, after 30 years (31 CFR 316.8(b)).
The 30-year rule covers December 1973 to June 1980 issues, with 1974 its first full year; issues to November 1965 ran 40 years. TreasuryDirect's history timeline records the 30-year rule.
The 1964 issues also stopped in 2004, after 40 years: a 1964 $100 bond is worth $898.20 to $936.44. See when savings bonds mature and stop earning interest.
How 1974 Bond Values Rise or Hold From January to December: Five Value Groups
1974 Series E values rise or hold month to month in 5 value groups, from $128.48 per $25 for January to April issues to $131.59 for December issues, a spread of $3.11 per $25. The groups are January to April ($128.48), May ($129.71), June to October ($130.02), November ($131.26) and December ($131.59).
December 1974 beats January to April 1975 ($131.57) by 2 cents per $25.
Table 2: The five 1974 value groups and the months next to them, November 2026
| Issue months | Months | $25 value | $100 value | Change per $25 | Interest stopped | Year page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 1973 | 1 | $131.76 | $527.04 | Nov 1, 2003 | 1973 Series E savings bond value | |
| December 1973 | 1 | $128.48 | $513.92 | minus $3.28 | Dec 1, 2003 | |
| January to April 1974 | 4 | $128.48 | $513.92 | $0.00 | Jan 1 to Apr 1, 2004 | this page |
| May 1974 | 1 | $129.71 | $518.84 | +$1.23 | May 1, 2004 | |
| June to October 1974 | 5 | $130.02 | $520.08 | +$0.31 | Jun 1 to Oct 1, 2004 | |
| November 1974 | 1 | $131.26 | $525.04 | +$1.24 | Nov 1, 2004 | |
| December 1974 | 1 | $131.59 | $526.36 | +$0.33 | Dec 1, 2004 | |
| January 1975 (same through April 1975) | 1 | $131.57 | $526.28 | minus $0.02 | Jan 1, 2005 | 1975 Series E savings bond value |
Note: December 1973 opens the last group in the Series E final-maturity table (31 CFR 316.8(b): December 1973 to June 1980 issues, final maturity December 2003 to June 2010). The drop from November to December 1973 ($3.28 per $25) is the 15th largest of the 469 one-month steps (rises and drops) in Treasury's Series E value file, which covers May 1941 to June 1980.
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.
Why January to April 1974 Bonds Share the Value of December 1973 Bonds
January to April 1974 bonds share the value of December 1973 bonds, $128.48 per $25, because Treasury's file gives all five months one value. That is $3.28 per $25 below November 1973, the 15th largest of the 469 one-month steps in the Series E file.
What a 1974 Bond Cost and How Much Interest It Earned
A 1974 Series E bond cost 75% of its face value, $18.75 for a $25 bond and $75 for a $100 bond (31 CFR 316.2(b)). Interest is paid only inside the redemption value (31 CFR 315.30): a $100 bond carries $438.92 to $451.36 of interest, and its value is 6.85 to 7.02 times the price.
Why a 1974 Bond Carries the Owner's Social Security Number
A Series E bond issued on or after January 1, 1974 must carry a taxpayer identifying number, so every 1974 bond is inscribed with the owner's Social Security number (31 CFR 316.2(c)(1)).
TreasuryDirect's timeline gives October 1, 1973; the regulation's date rules. Ownership follows the inscribed names, "OR" and "P.O.D." (31 CFR 315.7), not the number.
Bonds issued before 1974 were 11.9% of matured unredeemed bonds in Treasury's report of June 17, 2021. Treasury digitized its 1974 to 1993 records in phases ending May 2021 (a sample) and February 2022 (2024 Report to Congress, March 11, 2025).
Treasury Hunt, a discontinued Treasury tool, matched matured bonds issued after 1973 by Social Security number from its December 2019 relaunch until September 30, 2025.
Which Face Values Were Issued in 1974: Eight, From $25 to $10,000
Treasury's calculator prices 1974 Series E bonds in 8 face values, from $25 to $10,000, valid for every 1974 issue month. Each costs 75% of face, from $18.75 for the $25 bond to $7,500 for the $10,000 bond; Table 1 gives the November 2026 values.
Neither 31 CFR 316.2(b) nor Treasury's calculator lists a $5,000 Series E; Series H was sold in $5,000 in 1974. Treasury's calculator prices the $75 from May 1964 issue dates.
Which Savings Bonds Were Sold in 1974: Series E, Series H and Retirement Plan Bonds
A savings bond bought in 1974 is one of 3 kinds: Series E (75% of face), Series H (face value, interest every six months) or a U.S. Retirement Plan Bond (face value). Table 3 compares them.
Savings Notes (ended October 31, 1970), savings stamps (ended June 30, 1970) and Individual Retirement Bonds (from January 1, 1975, 31 CFR 346.1(b)) were not sold in 1974.
Table 3: Savings bonds sold in 1974
| 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 | 2004 (30 years) | Table 1 value | a bank 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 | 2004 (30 years, our calculation from 31 CFR 332.8) | face value | FS Form 1522 by mail (banks may not pay Series H, 31 CFR 321.7(a)) |
| Retirement Plan Bonds | face value | $50, $100, $500, $1,000 | see Retirement Plan Bonds | by the 60th month after the registered owner's death (31 CFR 341.1(b)); some may still earn | see Retirement Plan Bonds | FS Form 1522 by mail |
Sources: 31 CFR 316.2(b), 316.8(b), 332.8, 341.1(b), 321.7(a); TreasuryDirect historical and retired bonds page (as of November 11, 2026).
How to Find the Exact Value of Your 1974 Savings Bond
Treasury prices a 1974 Series E bond by its issue month and face value; within 1974 the month moves the value by at most $3.11 per $25. Our savings bond calculator, built on Treasury's published value files, prices paper Series E.
- 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.
TreasuryDirect's free calculator is Treasury's own tool and marks Series E bonds "MA" (matured, no longer earning).
Cashing a 1974 Savings Bond and Reporting Its Interest
A 1974 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 you (31 CFR 321.23(c)). If your Social Security number is not already on the bond, you write it on (31 CFR 315.39(a)).
The mail route uses FS Form 1522 (Revised April 2026, TreasuryDirect PDF), sent with the bond to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150. Payment is by direct deposit only, in 3 to 5 months or longer (TreasuryDirect, November 11, 2026). You can cash by mail with FS Form 1522.
For $1,000 or less you enclose a copy of your ID, as for a December 1974 $100 and $75 bond ($921.13 in all). Above $1,000, such as any 1974 $200 bond, a notary or certifying officer (an official who verifies signatures) must certify your signature.
Tax Year 2004: When Interest on a 1974 Bond Was Reportable
Interest on a 1974 bond that was never cashed became reportable for tax year 2004, the year of its final maturity, unless the owner reported it earlier (31 CFR 316.9; 26 U.S.C. 454; IRS Publication 550).
That interest is federally taxable and exempt from state and local tax. Ask a tax professional about a missed year; see federal tax on savings bond interest.
Lost, Found or Inherited 1974 Bonds
Five situations change what an owner or heir does with a 1974 bond.
Table 4: Lost, found or inherited 1974 bonds
| Situation | Rule for a 1974 bond | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lost, stolen or destroyed | Claim on FS Form 1048 (Revised March 2026) with the owner's Social Security number. Claims 6 years or more after final maturity need the serial number (31 CFR 315.29(c)); for 1974 bonds that has applied since 2010 (our calculation). Treasury has not published how it applies the rule when its records hold the number. | FS Form 1048 claim for lost savings bonds |
| Owner has died | The surviving "OR" co-owner or the P.O.D. beneficiary takes the bond, otherwise the estate (31 CFR 315.70). | inherited savings bonds after death |
| Inherited, interest never reported | If the owner died before the 2004 final maturity, interest earned before death is income in respect of a decedent unless reported on the owner's final return. If the owner died after it, the interest was reportable for 2004 on the owner's return (31 CFR 316.9(b); IRS Publication 550). Ask a tax professional about missed years. | taxes on inherited savings bonds |
| Found among papers | The value comes from Table 1. The inscribed names and Social Security number show whose bond it is. Check owner, 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 records for a bond more than 3 years past final maturity with a State under an information-sharing agreement, only to locate the owner (31 U.S.C. 3105(f)); none is publicly known as of November 11, 2026 (89 FR 102735, December 18, 2024). Treasury Hunt has not been available since September 30, 2025. | unclaimed savings bonds |
Other Issue Years and Face Values
Other issue years and face values are listed below.
- 1964 Series E savings bond value (also stopped in 2004, after 40 years)
- 1973 Series E savings bond value
- 1975 Series E savings bond value
- 1976 Series E savings bond value
- 1978 Series E savings bond value
- $25 savings bond worth
- $75 savings bond worth
- $200 savings bond worth
- $500 savings bond worth
- $1,000 savings bond worth
- $5,000 savings bond worth (Series H in 1974)
- $10,000 savings bond worth
1974 Savings Bond FAQ
How much is a $25 savings bond from 1974 worth today?
A $25 savings bond from 1974 is worth $128.48 to $131.59 in November 2026.
How much is a $100 savings bond from 1974 worth after 30 years?
A $100 Series E bond from 1974 is worth $513.92 (January to April) to $526.36 (December) in November 2026. See what a $100 savings bond is worth after 30 years.
How much is a $50 savings bond from 1974 worth after 30 years?
A $50 Series E bond from 1974 is worth $256.96 to $263.18 in November 2026. See what a $50 savings bond is worth after 30 years.
How much is a $1,000 savings bond from 1974 worth?
A $1,000 Series E bond from 1974 is worth $5,139.20 to $5,263.60 in November 2026.
Do savings bonds from 1974 expire?
No: a 1974 US savings bond, now 51 years 11 months to 52 years 10 months old, can be cashed at any time (31 CFR 315.35(c); EO 13968, 85 FR 83745).
Has the value of a 1974 bond changed since 2004?
No: a 1974 bond's value has not changed since its final maturity in 2004. The file shows one figure per month through May 2027.
Can a 1974 savings bond be found by Social Security number?
Not online: Treasury Hunt has not been available since September 30, 2025. A claim on FS Form 1048 needs the serial number 6 years or more after final maturity (31 CFR 315.29(c)). See how heirs search for savings bonds of a deceased parent or relative.
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.