This is how it goes. Savings bonds are purchased for half the face amount (in your case, the person who bought it paid $25 in 1996 but got a $50 bond). The trick is that you have to wait until that bond matures (20 years) for it to reach its full value. If you cash it now, you will only get $25 plus whatever interest has accrued. If you wait till 2016, you'll get the full $50, hardly a deal, I know.

i think it only told me that it was worth about 40 something dollars..is that right?

Here ya go!
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http://www.treasurydirect.gov/BC/SBCPrice
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So how much is it worth????

I have one from my grandparents, now deceased, that is even older. I hate to cash it in because it has sentimental value - which is not too smart of me. Depending on the Series it may still be accruing interest or maybe not.

Go down to a bank and cash it. It is yours.

Im sure there is interest in there and if it was from 1996, you should have a couple hundred dollars.