Old 100 Dollar Bill Value (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell if an old $100 bill is worth money? ›

Be on the Lookout for Fancy Serial Numbers

Most of the $100 bills that sell for five figures, six figures or more are vintage currency from the pre-1914 era when bills became Benjamins. But plenty of C-notes from the modern era can also be worth big money — and they usually derive their value from their serial numbers.

All U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued.

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).

Theoretically, no, since they are of equal value. However, if you look strictly at purchase power at the time of their issue, the older one is more valuable. Also, if you are a collector, an unblemished near perfect old one would be worth more than a new one.

Gold certificates are now extremely rare to see, and any copy of those printed before 1880 particularly is considered of high value. Gold certificates of $100 dollars are catalogued as the most expensive and valuable bills in the history of the country.

A serial number with all of the same numbers isn't the only kind to watch out for, you should also keep an eye out for ones with really low numbers, like 00000002, ones with really high numbers, ones with repeating number patterns like 12312312, ones that only use the same two numbers like 19919119, and flippers - ones ...

It is U.S. government policy that all designs of Federal Reserve notes remain legal tender, or legally valid for payments, regardless of when they were issued. This policy includes all denominations of Federal Reserve notes, from 1914 to present as per 31 U.S.C. § 5103.

There are two major reasons for this policy: Counterfeiting is a huge problem, and many employees do not know how to properly check a bill or get too busy and don't check.

Currency that is still valid, but is simply worn, ripped, or in otherwise poor condition can be replaced at a bank. Deposit the money into any account, and the bank's relationship with their country's central bank and minting service will ensure that it is swapped for fresh currency.

What dollar bills are worth collecting? ›

Currently, collectors are vying for higher denomination notes. According to Johnson, that includes “$500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 Federal Reserve notes [that] were printed from 1928 into the 1940s are bringing record prices.”

All United States bills have a combination of 11 numbers and letters. The serial numbers appear twice on the bill's front—one set of serial numbers is on the left of the portrait, and the other is on the right. Make sure both sets of serial numbers match.

What's the average worth of a 1990 $100 bill? On average, a 1990 $100 bill can sell on eBay for anywhere between $125 and $150.

The First $100 Bill Was Printed in 1914

Even though the first $100 "Interest-Bearing Notes" were issued in 1861, the first $100 Federal Reserve Notes -- aka money as it's currently known -- were printed with Benjamin Franklin gracing the front, just like it is today.

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.

Low Serial Numbers are quite popular to collect, paper money collectors usually look out for any number below 100, or even 1,000 as they're the most desirable of the low serial numbers. Such as any number below 00001000, or 00000100.

American Rarities is a reputable paper currency dealer you can trust. If you have a currency collection for sale contact us today to request a free, no-obligation appraisal and offer on your U.S. paper currency collection, and even your foreign paper currency notes!