Collectors Pay Thousands for These 12 Rare US Banknotes
Paper currency doesn’t get as much attention on the collector’s market as coins, which have a metal content that boosts their value and sometimes dates back to the earliest days of human civilization. However, certain rare bills can still fetch a lot of money from collectors.
If you’re on the lookout for valuable paper currency, a good place to start is the United States. Nearly all of the world’s most valuable banknotes were minted in the U.S.
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We researched sales prices on the Great American Coin Company, Colin Narbeth & Son Ltd. and Noonans Mayfair websites to find the following rare U.S. bills worth thousands of dollars.
1. 1928 Gold Certificate
Condition: About uncirculated
Sale price: $1,049.95
2. 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
Condition: About uncirculated
Sale price: $1,054.95
3. 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
Condition: Very good
Sale price: $1,283.95
4. 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $2,029.89
5. 1899 Large Size Silver Certificate
Condition: About uncirculated
Sale price: $2,450.55
6. 1928 $20 Gold Certificate
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $2,793.22
7. 1928 $2 Red Seal FRN Star Note
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $2,835.42
8. 1899 $2 Large Size Silver Certificate
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $3,825.95
8. 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
Condition: Very fine
Sale price: $4,298.95
10. 1922 $20 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $5,495.50
11. 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
Condition: Extra fine
Sale price: $5,695.95
12. 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
Condition: Uncirculated
Sale price: $8,622.95
Note: The definitions of the various conditions of these rare bills are as follows:
“Uncirculated” bills are in pristine condition.
“About uncirculated” bills have the slightest evidence of wear.
“Extremely fine” and “extremely fine” bills have little sign of wear.
“Very fine” have moderate evidence of wear.
“Very good” are worn, but intact.
How To Tell if a Bill Is Worth Money
To determine if a bill has value to collectors, here are some things to look for:
Oddities and errors such as uncirculated bills, misprints and high denominations that are no longer printed
Sizes that are larger or smaller than standard bills, especially in the U.S.
High serial numbers
Bills with different denominations on the back and front
If you come across a rare bill you think might be valuable, here are a few ways to confirm it:
Apps: For paper currency, NoteSnap is a good resource.
Local coin dealers: Coin dealers can also be a great resource for determining the value of paper currency.
Online forums: A good option here is the r/Currency thread on Reddit devoted to helping users determine if currency is worth a lot of money.
Auction houses: Some experts recommend taking your currency to a platform like Heritage Auctions, which can evaluate your bill for free.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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