60-Second Serial Number Check: Is Your Bill Collectible?

Got a minute? Here’s how to quickly check if that bill in your wallet might be worth more than face value.

Serial Number Patterns

Flip the bill over and look at the serial number. These patterns command premiums:

• Solid numbers (11111111, 22222222) – extremely rare, worth thousands
• Ladders (12345678, 87654321) – $50-500 depending on denomination
• Repeaters (45674567) – modest premium, $5-30 extra
• Low numbers (00000001-00000100) – highly sought after
• Binary notes (only two digits, like 10110010) – growing collector interest

The Star Check

See a star (*) at the end of the serial? That’s a replacement note. Most aren’t valuable, but certain years and districts have tiny print runs. Worth a quick search online.

Condition Matters

A crisp, uncirculated bill with a fancy serial beats a worn one every time. If you find something promising, don’t fold it. Slide it into a protective sleeve.

Most bills are worth exactly face value. But checking takes seconds, and occasionally you’ll find something genuinely collectible sitting in your change.