What does a star on a $20 bill mean?
On some notes, a star appears in place of the last letter. When an imperfect sheet is detected during the manufacturing process after the serial number has been overprinted, it must be replaced with a new sheet. A "star" sheet is used to replace the imperfect sheet.
The condition of a note plays a HUGE role in it's value. The rarest star note probably isn't worth much, if anything, more than face value if it's dirty and shredded. For older series notes, their run sizes matter far less. Completing star note sets by print run is more common among modern star notes.
Star notes are rare paper money that are produced to replace other bills that contain printing errors. They feature a signature star symbol before or after their serial numbers, and are sometimes more valuable than standard notes, though most aren't.
One way to look up a serial number on a bill is to use an online tool, such as Fancy Serial Checker or Banknote Serial Checker. On Banknote Serial Checker, you simply enter the $20 bill's serial number and other details, such as its denomination and series number, and you can find out if it's common or rare.
Each note has a unique serial number. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year. A “star” suffix is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process.
In general, star notes with smaller print runs are considered more rare and can have a higher value. For example, star note print runs of 640000 notes or less that happen to be the only print run for a specific series/denomination/FRB combination, especially for older series, are considered the rarest (2).
| Year | Type | Uncirculated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1875 | United States Note | $2,700 and up |
| 1890 | Treasury Note | $12,500 and up |
| 1915 | National Currency | $4,000 and up |
| 1922 | Gold Certificate | $800 and up |
This star represents what is known as a replacement note. When a printing error occurs during a normal press run and renders a set of bills unusable, replacement notes are used instead.
“A serial number '1′ for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more,” Dustin Johnston, vice president of Heritage Auctions, told MarketWatch.
On lists of single old bills worth money, the 1874 large sized dollar note is always the most valuable. Since these dollar notes are no longer in circulation, you might have better luck finding them in a collection of inherited currency than through spare change.
What $2 bill is worth more than $2?
More recent bills can also be worth a bit more than $2. "The 1963 and '53 series. They do have additional value, none too crazy though," Michael Steinmetz, vice president of Steinmetz Coins & Currency, told VERIFY partner station Fox 43.
| Bill Type | Year | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 Technicolor Note | 1905 | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Star Note $20 Bill | Various | $500 – $3,000 |
| 1882 Brown Back | 1882 | $7,000 – $20,000 |
| 1914 Federal Reserve Note | 1914 | $2,000 – $8,000 |
- 1890 $1 Treasury Note: $1,000.
- 1928 $1 Bill: $1,000.
- 1923 $1 Bill: $1,000.
- 1917 $1 Legal Tender Note: $1,150.
- 1899 $1 Silver Certificate: $1,500.
- 1896 $1 Silver Certificates: $2,000.
Though a 'Star Note' is exceedingly rare compared to the millions & millions of 'normal' dollar bills produced by the US government, this does not typically make the note tremendously valuable. If this note is brand new & in near-perfect condition, it may be worth $1.50 to $2.00.
These star notes are printed to replace damaged or misprinted currency before it is released to the public. The value of a star note is generally similar to a regular dollar bill, but some collectors may be willing to pay a small premium for them.
The value of a star note depends on the following criteria: Run size: How many bills were printed in the series. The lower the run size the better. Star notes are considered to be more rare when their run size falls below 640,000.
A "star" note has its own special serial number followed by a star in place of a suffix letter. Federal Reserve notes, beginning with Series 1996, have two letters rather than one at the beginning of the serial number.
Realistically, the best options for selling a dollar bill with a star on it would be eBay or a coin shop. Some star notes are more common than others due to the number produced and that impacts their value.
NBC Universal, Inc. According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 6.4 million $1 dollar bills were printed with a mistake that make them worth $150,000 by collectors. If you have any $1 bills in your wallet or under your couch, you might want to think twice before using them.
One way is by going to a website such as Fancy Serial Number Checker, and typing in the eight-digit sequence of numbers. The website will determine how “fancy” or rare your bank note is and provide a resource to determine the approximate worth.
What is hidden on the $20 dollar bill?
Tilt the note to see the 20 in the lower right corner change from copper to green. Hold the note to light to see the security thread, which reads USA TWENTY and includes a small flag, to the left of the portrait. The thread is visible from both sides of the note and glows green under ultraviolet light.
| Coin Name | Price |
|---|---|
| 1990 $20 Error Note Fraser/Higgins R412 Inverted Sheet PCGS VF30 PPQ | $250.00 |
| 1990 $20 Note Fraser/Higgins R412 Uncirculated | $95.00 |
| 1991 $20 Consecutive Run of 9 Notes Fraser/Cole R413 good EF | $250.00 Last sold for this price on 2/6/2023 |
Unless there's a unique feature on the bill, like a low serial or a misprint, a newer $2 bill is likely not worth much more than $2, even if it's uncirculated.
SYMBOLS ON THE ONE DOLLAR BILL
You will notice it has a LARGE letter in the center of the seal. These letters identify the bank that issued the bill. For example, the letter K, indicates that the Federal Reserve Ban in Dallas, Texas and the letter H represents St. Louis, Missouri.
Paper money
American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. But they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation.
