Take a closer look at this $5 bill: it’s old, dirty, torn at the edges, and covered in ink stains. This bill is far from its prime condition when it was crisp and new.
However, despite the wear and tear, flaws, creases, and stains, its value could potentially surpass its face value by thousands of dollars.
It’s safe to say that most dollar bills are worth more than the paper they are printed on, but more and more people are realizing that every bill in your wallet is like a lottery ticket. A winning number could be in your jeans pocket, waiting to be claimed.
Shaun, also known as Blueridgesilverhound, emphasizes the importance of checking what’s in your wallet now. He passionately discusses what the serial numbers stamped on dollar bills could mean. If you know the secrets, their value could far exceed face value.
Shaun points out that a $5 bill from 1988 sold for $2,024 despite being far from its original condition, with creases and ink stains causing damage. Despite its worn appearance, its value increased over four hundred times.
Why is that so? Collectors of rare bills are willing to pay top dollar for dollar bills ranging from $1 to $1000 or more, with special serial numbers. And there are several number combinations you should pay special attention to.
The $5 bill selling for $2,024 is so valuable because of its unique serial number, with every digit being the same. Consecutively repeating digits like 7 and 8 are particularly thrilling, and this particular bill is imprinted with green ink: “G88888888A”. According to GO Bank Rates, sequentially repeating digit serial numbers are rare, appearing only once in every 11 million bills. They could be worth $500 or more, despite not looking brand new.
Bills with numbers close to repeating but not entirely repeating are not nearly as valuable. Shaun mentions selling a $20 bill and a $1 bill found in someone’s wallet for ten times their face value, despite not being new. The $20 bill has “ME79777777E” written on it, while the $1 bill has “C72777777D”. The value of numbers close to repeating serial numbers is much lower than sequentially repeating numbers, but they are more likely to be found.
There are other serial numbers, like ladder patterns (numbers ascending or descending), which could be “12345678” or “87654321” and sell on eBay for prices ranging from $9 to $100,000. Near ladder patterns can also be lucrative, but obviously sell for much less.
Similar to ladder patterns, consecutive serial numbers ascending but not starting with “1” or “8” could be “234567XX” or “78923456”. Their prices could range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
Low serial numbers and high serial numbers with a very small digit like “00000001” or a very high digit like “99999900” can sell for over $10,000. Less extreme numbers like “00000100” may fetch a lower price, ranging from $10 to $300.
Special serial numbers on paper bills can earn you a substantial amount of cash, even if they seem mundane. Next time you’re on the bus or about to pay for your next cup of americano, you might want to take a look at the “lottery tickets” crumpled in your jeans pocket and consider cashing them in.