Free Star Note Lookup Tool
Check your star note rarity and value in seconds
Recently Updated (May 2026)
- Added complete 2021 Series star note production data
- Updated market values based on recent auction results
- Discovered new extremely rare 2017A print runs
- A new signature series (the first since Series 2021) is slated to begin printing in mid-2026, so 2009-2021 currently covers all star notes in circulation
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Check 2013 B Series Duplicate Serial Number Error
The 2013 B Series $1 star notes have a famous duplicate serial number error. Matched pairs have sold for roughly $600 to $25,000 depending on grade — recent 2024-2026 sales mostly fall in the $600-$2,850 range (per the Project 2013B registry).
Affected Serial Number Ranges:
- B 00000001* - B 00250000*
- B 03200001* - B 09600000*
What Are Star Notes?
Star notes are replacement bills printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to replace defective notes discovered during production. They feature a star (*) at the end of the serial number.
Star Note Rarity Scale
💡 Pro Tip: Star notes with print runs of 640,000 or less can be worth 2x-50x face value depending on condition!
How to Identify Your Star Note (Step-by-Step Visual Guide)
Look for the Star
Find the star (*) symbol at the end of the serial number on either side of your bill
Find Series Year
Located to the right of the portrait (e.g., "Series 2017A")
Identify FRB Letter
For $1-$2: Check seal letter. For $5+: 2nd letter of serial number
Once you have all three pieces of information...
You might be holding a small fortune without knowing it. That crumpled dollar bill in your wallet with a star at the end of its serial number could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Some collectors have paid $2,500 for a single $1 star note, while matched pairs of 2013 error notes have sold for over $20,000.
Top 10 Most Valuable Modern Star Notes (2009-2021)
| Rank | Denomination | Series | FRB | Print Run | Recent Sale | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 | 2017A | B - New York | 125,000 | $150-250 | Extremely Rare |
| 2 | $100 | 2009A | E - Richmond | 128,000 | $500+ | Extremely Rare |
| 3 | $10 | 2017A | G - Chicago | 128,000 | $180-280 | Extremely Rare |
| 4 | $10 | 2017 | F - Atlanta | 128,000 | $180-280 | Extremely Rare |
| 5 | $50 | 2017A | J - Kansas City | 128,000 | $400+ | Extremely Rare |
| 6 | $20 | 2017 | D - Cleveland | 160,000 | $200-300 | Extremely Rare |
| 7 | $100 | 2017A | F - Atlanta | 160,000 | $500+ | Extremely Rare |
| 8 | $1 | 2017 | I - Minneapolis | 250,000 | $75-150 | Very Rare |
| 9 | $1 | 2013 | J - Kansas City | 250,000 | $75-150 | Very Rare |
| 10 | $5 | 2013 | J - Kansas City | 250,000 | $60-100 | Very Rare |
Understanding Star Note Rarity: Complete Data Guide
Star notes are replacement bills printed when defective notes are discovered during production. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing uses these pre-printed notes with a star (*) symbol instead of reprinting bills with identical serial numbers. This quality control process creates collectible rarities.
Not all star notes are valuable—print run size determines rarity. Our analysis of over 500 production runs from 2009-2021 reveals clear patterns in value distribution.
Federal Reserve Bank Letter Codes Reference
| Letter | Number | City | Letter | Number | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | Boston | G | 7 | Chicago |
| B | 2 | New York | H | 8 | St. Louis |
| C | 3 | Philadelphia | I | 9 | Minneapolis |
| D | 4 | Cleveland | J | 10 | Kansas City |
| E | 5 | Richmond | K | 11 | Dallas |
| F | 6 | Atlanta | L | 12 | San Francisco |
How to find: For $1 and $2 bills, find this letter in the black Federal Reserve seal. For $5 and higher denominations (1996 series onward), look at the second letter in the serial number prefix.
Star Note Rarity Distribution by Print Run Size
| Rarity Level | Print Run Size | % of All Runs | Typical Premium | Market Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 1,280,000 or more | 65% | Face value +10% | Low |
| Uncommon | 640,001 - 1,280,000 | 20% | Face value +25-50% | Moderate |
| Rare | 320,001 - 640,000 | 10% | 2x-5x face value | High |
| Very Rare | 160,001 - 320,000 | 4% | 5x-10x face value | Very High |
| Extremely Rare | 160,000 or less | 1% | 10x-50x face value | Extreme |
The 2013 B Series Phenomenon: Understanding the $20,000 Error
The most extraordinary story in modern currency collecting involves the 2013 B Series $1 star notes. Between 2014 and 2016, both the Washington D.C. and Fort Worth facilities printed star notes for the New York Federal Reserve using identical serial number ranges. This coordination failure created 6.4 million pairs of bills with duplicate serial numbers—distinguished only by the presence or absence of the "FW" facility mark.
Important: A single note from the error range has modest value ($20-50), but finding its matching pair transforms it into a treasure worth thousands. The key is the facility mark: one note must have "FW" (Fort Worth) and its pair must lack it (Washington D.C.).
How Condition Affects Star Note Values
| Rarity Level | Good-VG | Fine-VF | XF-AU | CU | Gem CU 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common (3.2M) | Face | Face | Face +10% | Face +50% | Face +100% |
| Rare (640K) | Face +50% | Face +100% | Face +200% | Face +400% | Face +800% |
| Very Rare (320K) | Face +100% | Face +200% | Face +400% | Face +800% | Face +1500% |
| Extremely Rare | Face +200% | Face +400% | Face +800% | Face +1500% | Face +3000% |
Key Takeaway: The difference between circulated and uncirculated can mean 2x-4x value for rare notes. Always store rare star notes in protective currency sleeves immediately to preserve condition.
Where and How to Sell Your Star Notes
The star note market operates across multiple channels, each with distinct characteristics:
eBay
Most liquid market for common to rare star notes. Check recent sold listings (not asking prices) for real-time market data.
Best for: Quick sales, common-rare notes
Heritage Auctions
Dominates high-end market. Extremely rare or gem-condition notes often achieve 20-30% premiums over eBay.
Best for: Extremely rare notes, gem condition
Local Coin Shows
Immediate cash sales at 60-70% of online prices. Excellent for networking and learning from experienced collectors.
Best for: Instant cash, building relationships
Reddit Communities
Direct collector-to-collector sales (r/papermoney, r/CRH) at fair market prices without platform fees.
Best for: Fair pricing, community feedback
Your Star Note Hunting Strategy: Action Steps
- Check your wallet right now. The average American handles 30 bills weekly—statistically, you encounter 2-3 star notes monthly.
- Focus on high-probability sources:
- Fresh ATM withdrawals (especially $20s and $100s)
- Bank strap hunting (buy full $100 straps of $1 bills)
- Cash-heavy businesses often have unsearched bills
- Document everything: Photograph every star note with full serial number visible. Even common ones might become valuable as production data changes.
- Cross-reference for accuracy: Serious collectors verify prices across multiple databases. Check your findings with other star note lookup tools and compare recent eBay sold listings to ensure you're getting accurate market values, especially for rare finds.
- Preserve properly: Store any rare star note (≤640,000 run) in a currency sleeve immediately. Finger oils and folding destroy value rapidly.
- Consider the long game: Even common star notes from 2021 might become valuable as they disappear from circulation over the next decade.
Remember: Every star note started as an accident—a replacement for a mistake. But in the collecting world, these accidents become treasures. Your next dollar bill could be worth hundreds.
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Our free star note lookup tool contains complete production data for all Federal Reserve star notes from 2009-2021, updated monthly with current market values and new discoveries.