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The next time you pull out a dollar bill to buy a can of soda or order of fries off the value menu, take a good look at the bill first. Check the serial number on the bottom left and upper right. If you notice the numbers going in a straight numerical sequence — as in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. — put that dollar bill back in your pocket and go lock it up nice and secure. It could make you thousands of dollars richer.
One of the most valuable dollar bill variations in the world, called a “ladder” in collector’s parlance, could be worth about $6,000, according to the Penny Hoarder website: “When the serial number ascends (e.g. 12345678) or descends (e.g. 8765431) in order, collectors call it a ladder. You’ll also find ‘near ladders,’ where one or two digits break up the ladder.”
Chances are you’ve never come across a ladder and never will. As a blog on the Variety & Errors website noted, a “true ladder in its purest form” is only printed once out of every 96 million notes in a standard print run.
There are variations, however. These include “near ladders” where one or two digits break up the ladder sequence (as in 12349567). Near ladders might sell for anywhere from $9 to hundreds of dollars on eBay.
In case you’ve never taken time to analyze your dollar bills, serial numbers are unique, eight-digit codes that are accompanied by other identifying letters and numbers. The codes tell you which series year the bill is from and where it was printed. You’ll find them on the front of U.S. currency and they are always printed twice.
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Ladders aren’t the only serial numbers that command a premium from collectors. Penny Hoarder lists more than a dozen serial-number variations that could kick up the value of your bills by hundreds of dollars.
Low, High and Solid Serial Bills Also Worth More to Collectors
For example, low serial numbers such as those below 1,000 or 100 — for example, 00000100 — have sold for as high as $300 on eBay. A serial number of 00000001 could be worth as much as $15,000, though there’s no evidence that one even exists.
Similarly, high serial numbers such as 99999900 are also prized by collectors. So are “flippers” that can be read the same way upside down, such as 0069000. This bill could fetch several hundred dollars on eBay.
If you see a “solid” serial number on your note — such as 55555555 — you can expect to get as much as $500 from collectors.
Even more valuable are binary bills in which the serial numbers only have two numbers, such as 29299299. Some of these notes sell for more than $800 on eBay.
Rare Coin Value vs. Rare Bills
As good as all that sounds, it pales in comparison to the real superstars of currency — rare coins.
The most valuable U.S. coin is the 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel. It has an estimated worth of more than $5.6 million, according to Luxe Digital. Other coins that command seven figures are the 1894-S Barber Dime ($2.4 million) and 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny ($2.3 million).
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FAQs
One of the most valuable dollar bill variations in the world, called a “ladder” in collector's parlance, could be worth about $6,000, according to the Penny Hoarder website: “When the serial number ascends (e.g. 12345678) or descends (e.g. 8765431) in order, collectors call it a ladder.
What is the most valuable $1 bill? ›
12 of the Most Valuable $1 Bills Still in Circulation
- 1896 $1 Silver Certificates: $2,000.
- 1886 $ 1 United States Note: $2,500.
- 1869 $1 United States Note: $2,500.
- 1875 $1 National Bank Note: $3,000.
- 1878 $1 Silver Certificates: $4,500.
- 1862 $1 United States Note: $7,000.
- 1874 $1 United States Note: $10,000.
If you are referring to a United States $100,000 bill, it's worth nothing because it is illegal for a private citizen to own. There ARE such bills, but they were never issued for circulation. They were for transfers of funds between Federal Reserve Banks back in the days before computers.
What is the highest dollar bill you can get from the bank? ›
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.
Which dollar bills are worth a lot of money? ›
The $1,000 bill holds the record for being the largest denomination ever printed for public consumption. It is valued in the range of $1,500 to $2,500, depending on what condition it shows up in when you find it.
Is there a dollar bill worth $1000000? ›
No, there is no official million-dollar bill in circulation, nor has one ever been commissioned by the Federal Reserve. While some novelty items or fake bills may feature a picture of a million-dollar bill, they hold no value and cannot be used as legal tender.
How do I know if my 1 dollar bill is worth anything? ›
Which Dollar Bill Serial Numbers Are Worth Money? 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).
What is my $2 dollar bill worth? ›
What is my $2 bill worth? To find the value of your $2 bill, look at the year and seal color. Bills with red, brown and blue seals from 1862 through 1917 can be worth up to $1,000 or more on the U.S. Currency Auctions website, which bases the value on recent and past paper currency auctions.
How much is a 1976 $2 bill worth? ›
“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.” Other high-value serial numbers include what collectors call “solid” or “ladders.”
What is the rarest $100 dollar bill? ›
$100 Bills That Are Worth More Than a Standard Benjamin
- 1863 $100 Gold Certificate. $2.12 million. ...
- 1882 $100 Gold Certificate. $822,500. ...
- 1878 $100 Silver Certificate. $540,000. ...
- 1890 $100 'Watermelon' Treasury Note. $356,500.
This because the US government had terminated circulation of them in the late 1960's. They are still legal tender and all banks will accept one when it is presented to them. However, you can still purchase such a bill from other sources.
Do banks keep $1000 bills? ›
The limited supply of these bills is currently held by coins and currency dealers, collectors, and investors. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that any U.S. banks currently possess the $500 and $1,000 denominations for use in everyday banking transactions.
What is a $1 silver certificate worth? ›
What Is a Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Worth Today? These certificates no longer carry monetary value as an exchange for silver, yet they are still legal tender at their face value.
Can a $2 bill be worth thousands? ›
To find the value of your $2 bill, look at the year and seal color. Bills with red, brown and blue seals from 1862 through 1917 can be worth up to $1,000 or more, according to the U.S. Currency Auctions website. You can find the value of your $2 bill by visiting the U.S. currency price guide.
What $2 bill is worth $4500? ›
For example, an uncirculated 1890 series $2 bill with a brown seal can be worth at least $4,500. A circulated $2 bill with a red seal can sell for $2.25 to $2,500.
Are mint $2 bills worth anything? ›
If the $2 bill was minted and printed before 1976, it would 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.
How much is a 1935 dollar bill worth? ›
Some 1935A Mules carry values of up to $500 as well, with the rare DB block valued at $1,000 currently. The Star notes are even better, with the 1935 Mule star valued at $9,000 in Gem and $2,000 in Very fine Condition. The 1935A Mule star carries a price tag of $1,300 in Gem condition.
Which 2 dollar bill serial numbers are valuable? ›
According to MarketWatch, other highly-prized serial numbers include “solids” — when all the numbers are the same, like 2222222222 — and “ladders” — where the serial number is sequential, like 12345678910. Much more collectible are the extra large notes issued before 1918.
