How rare is a Star Note $1 bill?
Star notes are sought by currency collectors due to their limited print runs and overall rarity. While billions of regular U.S. notes are printed on an annual basis, sometimes less than 1 million star notes are printed for a given currency run.
Star notes are less common in higher denominations; however so many $1 bills are printed that damages occur often enough to mean that a $1 star note isn't worth much if any premium. That said there are niche collectors who may be willing to pay a small premium.
Generally, the more unique the serial number on your dollar bill, the more likely it is to be worth more than face value. Some examples of uniqueness include repeating numbers, numbers with a star after them and sequences (such as 12345678).
A “star” suffix is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process. If you'd like to learn more about the U.S. currency production process, please visit https://www.bep.gov/currency/how-money-is-made.
Rarity and Value
As of December 2023, the market value of an 1886 $1 silver certificate in nice collectible condition ranges from $2 million to $4 million at auction, establishing it as the single most valuable small-size dollar bill ever printed according to the Expert Numismatist Society.
The United States, India and the Philippines use the "★" in the serial number to mark a replacement banknote. These are known as "star notes". These were also used by Australia until 1972. Canada used "✽" at the beginning of serial numbers on its replacement banknotes until 1975. They are known as "asterisk notes".
A Star note is a “replacement” note for one that did not make it through the printing process before it was pulled for some reason. Misprint, cutting, etc. Star notes are sometimes kept by individuals because they are “different”, but not really worth anything more than a standard serialized FRN as far as value.
Uncommon but not rare
The Federal Reserve reported that in 2022, $2 bills in circulation amounted to $3 billion, a small fraction of the total $54.1 billion currency circulated that year. The note is considered uncommon but not rare.
1890 $100 'Watermelon' Treasury Note
The government holds eight in secure locations and many others have not been on public display for many years, making those in collectors' hands among the rarest and most valuable currency notes in existence.
Star notes are replacements printed for damaged bills that were caught by BEP inspectors before being released. While there are niche collectors who'll pay a small premium for one, in general the only star notes with a substantial extra value are older, from a limited series, and/or high denominations.
Are $2 bills worth anything?
The note is considered uncommon but not rare. U.S. Currency Auctions estimates that uncirculated $2 bills from 1890 could sell for up to $4,500, and uncirculated bills from nearly every year between 1862 and 1917 for at least $1,000. 'Vintage' iPhone:A first-generation iPhone sold for $190K at an auction this week.
Star dollar bills are some of the most prized banknotes for collectors and investors. Their low print runs, pristine condition and iconic star stamp make them far more valuable than common dollar bills. With the right date, series and condition level, these notes can sell for thousands of dollars at auction or online.
While there is no official one-million-dollar bill in circulation, there are collectible notes and novelty items that depict a one-million-dollar denomination. These items are not meant to be used as legal tender but are intended for promotional or novelty purposes.
According to U.S. Currency Auctions, it was an 1890 $2 bill that is worth — not sold for — $4,500. You'd have to find a buyer willing to pay that, and it would have to also be in uncirculated condition.
In fact, a $1000 bill can be purchased between $2000 and $6000 dollars on the market, depending on its condition and grading. However, since these bills are so rare, it is vital to buy from reputable dealers to avoid scams or counterfeits.
- The 1861 $1,000 Bill. The $1,000 bill holds the record for being the largest denomination ever printed for public consumption. ...
- The 1928 $500 Bill. ...
- The 1950 $100 Bill. ...
- The 1862 $50 Bill. ...
- The 1933-34 $10 Bill.
Any $2 bill dating back to 1976 that has been in circulation – and any uncirculated versions since 2003 – are worth only their face value, USCA says. Uncirculated bills between 1976 and 2003 range in estimated value from $2.25 to as much as $500.
When a note is damaged during manufacture, it is replaced by one bearing a star beside the serial number. These notes are much scarcer than regular issues. With green Treasury seal and serial numbers, Neff-Simon signatures and Philadelphia Federal Reserve District seal. . Denomination: $2.
Within that category, certain notes – including Star Notes, Mules, and those with "fancy" serial numbers – are especially sought after. Some people even prefer to collect notes that bear low serial numbers – particularly numbers below 00009999.
It entirely depends on rarity and condition. IF you do not have a copy of the Small Size Guide (9th Edition) or a comparable guide, you'll never be able to sort it out. Not every star note is worth keeping, IMO, but that is up to you as an individual collector. The book helps.
What is special about star notes?
The replacement notes have a sequence of their own, using the star as their final "letter." This allows for 99,999,999 possible replacement notes for any given bank, series and denomination. In general, replacement notes aren't worth more than regular bills. (It's a different story for printing errors.)
If the $2 bill was minted and printed before 1976, it will likely be worth more than its face value on the collectibles market. In some cases, it might be worth only $2.25. The highest value is $4,500 or more for uncirculated notes from 1890, although most of those bills range in value from $550 to $2,500.
“A serial number '1' for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more. But [for] a majority of those people holding 1976 $2 bills, they are only worth face value. There are very few that actually exceed face value.”
Some people carry $2 bills in their wallets or purses for good fortune. Some also believe the $2 bill is lucky because it's considered a "rare" denomination (in reality, it's just less common), while others say it's lucky because of its association with Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence.
National Gold Bank Notes were National Bank Notes issued by nine national gold banks in California in the 1870s and 1880s and redeemable in gold. Printed on a yellow-tinted paper, six denominations circulated: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $500. A $1,000 note was designed and printed but never issued.
