What Is a Star Note on U.S. Paper Money?
If you look closely at your cash, you might spot a small star symbol (★) printed right at the end of the serial number. This type of bill is called a star note or star replacement note. In everyday language, people often call it a starred dollar bill or a dollar bill with star.
To understand the star note meaning, it helps to understand how United States paper money is made. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, prints sheets of paper currency at two secure facilities: one in Washington, D.C., and one in Fort Worth, Texas. During the high-speed printing and inspection process, some sheets get damaged, smudged, or misaligned.
Federal printing rules require strict accounting for every single piece of currency. Two bills can never be released into circulation with the exact same serial number within a standard print series. When a damaged sheet is pulled off the press and destroyed, the BEP cannot simply reprint the exact same serial numbers with normal letter suffixes. Instead, they replace the spoiled sheets with special pre-printed replacement sheets. On these sheets, the trailing suffix letter (such as A, B, or C) is replaced with a five-pointed star symbol.
A star note dollar bill works as legal tender just like any regular dollar bill. You can spend it at any store for its face value. However, because star replacement notes make up only a small fraction of all printed money, paper currency collectors pay close attention to them. Depending on how many bills were made in that specific batch, a replacement bill may be worth far more than its face value.
How Star Note Values Are Determined: Run Sizes vs. Total Printed
When people find a star bill, the first question they usually ask is: how much is a star note worth? or are star notes worth anything? The answer comes down to two main factors: print run size and physical condition.
Not all star notes are rare. In fact, many star bills are printed in large standard batches called full runs. A standard full print run consists of 3,200,000 notes (100,000 sheets of 32 bills each, or 64,000 sheets of 50 bills on newer high-speed presses). When a bill comes from one of these large 3.2-million runs, hundreds of thousands of copies enter circulation. Because so many exist, standard run bills pulled from everyday pocket change are usually worth only face value.
Value spikes when the BEP prints a short run. If only a small number of sheets were damaged during a print job, the BEP might print a replacement run of only 640,000, 320,000, or even 160,000 notes. Because fewer notes were ever made, far fewer survive in good shape. Collectors compete to buy these short-run bills, which creates the phenomenon known among collectors as a rare star note frenzy.
Run Size vs. Total Printed
Run size is the number of bills printed in one specific batch for a Federal Reserve district. Total printed is the sum of all runs combined for that series and district. A series might have a high total printed count (such as 6.4 million), but if your serial number falls within a small single run of 320,000, your bill is still considered scarce and collectible.
The Impact of Bill Condition
Paper currency collectors grade bills on a scale from Poor to Gem Uncirculated (CU 65-70). A star note with deep center creases, rounded corners, or ink marks will sell for significantly less than a perfectly crisp, uncirculated note straight from a bank strap. If you find a rare star note, keep it flat and unbent to preserve its full collector value.
Star Note Rarity Guide & Print Run Table
The table below outlines how collectors classify star notes based on production batch size. Use this star note value chart as a general guide to understanding how run size relates to rarity and market premiums:
BEP Print Run Rarity Tiers & Estimated Market Premiums
Scroll horizontally to view the full table
| Run Size | Rarity Rating | Circulated (Used) Value | Crisp Uncirculated (New) Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160,000 – 320,000 | Very Rare | 10x to 25x Face Value | 40x to 100x+ Face Value |
| 500,000 – 640,000 | Rare | 3x to 8x Face Value | 15x to 35x Face Value |
| 1,280,000 – 1,920,000 | Less Common | 1.5x to 2x Face Value | 3x to 6x Face Value |
| 3,200,000 (Standard) | Common | Face Value ($1.00) | $2 to $5 over face value |
Note: Values shown are estimated collector market averages based on historical numismatic auction results. Actual sale prices fluctuate based on collector demand, centering, eye appeal, and specific Federal Reserve bank districts.
Star Note Values by Denomination ($1 to $100)
Every denomination of U.S. paper money has its own collector market. Below is a breakdown of what to look for on each bill type, from common one-dollar notes to high-denomination hundred-dollar bills:
$1 Star Notes
Most Common TypeThe one dollar bill star note is the most widely searched replacement bill because billions of $1 bills circulate in daily cash transactions. While standard 3.2M runs are spent every day at face value, short-run $1 replacement notes are popular collector targets.
- Series 2017A Cleveland (D) 250,000 Run: One of the lowest modern runs, commanding $40 to $100+ uncirculated.
- Series 2013 Atlanta (F) 640,000 Run: A widely collected short run note worth $20 to $50 in clean condition.
- Worn pocket notes: Standard runs spend at regular $1 value.
$2 Star Notes
High Collector InterestBecause two-dollar bills are printed in smaller quantities than any other denomination, a 2 dollar star note or $2 bill star note attracts immediate attention. Finding a two dollar star note in circulation is uncommon.
- 1976 Two Dollar Bill Star Note: Bicentennial star notes from smaller districts (like Minneapolis or Kansas City) fetch $30 to $100+ uncirculated.
- Series 1995 & 2003: Modern $2 star notes trade for $10 to $35 uncirculated.
- Circulated notes: Worn modern $2 star notes generally trade for $3 to $5.
$5 & $10 Star Notes
Workhorse CurrencyA 5 dollar star note (Abraham Lincoln) or 10 dollar star note (Alexander Hamilton) circulates quickly through retail cash registers. Because they are handled often, finding them uncreased is difficult.
- 5 Dollar Bill Star Note: Short runs under 640k notes trade for $25 to $75 in crisp condition.
- 10 Dollar Star Note: Fewer ten-dollar star notes are printed each year compared to fives, with small runs selling for $35 to $90+.
- Circulated grade: Heavily folded $5 and $10 star notes trade close to face value.
$20 & $50 Star Notes
ATM & Bank BillsTwenties are dispensed millions of times daily by automated teller machines. While most people spend a $20 star note without noticing, rare print batches have solid collector followings.
- Star Note 20 Dollar Bill Value: Standard runs spend for $20. Short runs (320k or 640k) in crisp condition fetch $45 to $120.
- 50 Dollar Star Note: Fifties are printed in smaller total batches, and clean star notes from low runs can command $85 to $175+.
- Storage tip: Always store twenties flat; ATM rollers often leave faint center creases.
$100 Star Notes
Top DenominationA 100 dollar star note or hundred dollar bill with star (Benjamin Franklin) represents a high face value. Because setting aside a hundred-dollar bill requires tying up substantial funds, fewer complete uncirculated packs are preserved by casual finders.
- Standard Runs (3.2M): Circulated notes pulled from bank withdrawals are worth their face value ($100). Uncirculated notes may carry a modest $10 to $20 premium.
- Rare Short Runs (320k or 640k): Crisp, uncirculated hundred-dollar star bills from scarce batches (such as select Series 2009A or 2017A runs) sell for $175 to $350+ at numismatic auctions.
- Important check: Even minor pinholes, ink marks, or center folds will drop a $100 star note down to face value.
How to Look Up Your Star Note Using Serial Numbers
Using our star note lookup tool to check your bill is straightforward. Follow these four simple steps to get accurate run information:
Find the Series Year
Look for the word "Series" followed by a year (such as 2013, 2017A, or 2021) printed next to the portrait on the front of your bill. The series year indicates the design approval date, not the calendar year of printing.
Select Your Denomination
Choose the denomination of your bill ($1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, or $100). Each denomination has its own separate production records and run size tables maintained by the BEP.
Enter the 8-Digit Serial Number
Type the 8 digits of your serial number. Do not type the prefix letter or the star symbol into the number box; our tool automatically handles the letter and star suffix for your verification.
Review the Production Results
The star note checker matches your serial number against the official BEP print run ranges. You will immediately see the run number, the batch size, total notes printed for that district, and the rarity level.
The 2013-B $1 Duplicate Star Note Error Explained
Among modern paper currency collectors, the 2013 star note dollar bill error is one of the most famous and valuable printing mistakes in modern U.S. history. If you have a Series 2013 $1 star bill from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (marked with the district letter B), pay close attention.
In 2014, the main BEP facility in Washington, D.C., printed a run of Series 2013 $1 star notes for the New York Federal Reserve district. Two years later, in July 2016, an order was placed at the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Due to a recordkeeping error, the Fort Worth press was mistakenly loaded with the exact same serial number range that Washington, D.C., had already produced in 2014.
As a result, millions of duplicate star notes were printed and released into circulation. This was the first time in modern American history that two genuine U.S. dollar bills were printed with the exact same serial number and distributed to the public.
How to Tell Washington D.C. vs. Fort Worth Bills Apart
You can verify which facility printed your bill by looking at the small face plate number printed on the front of the bill, located in the lower right area near the portrait of George Washington:
Has a tiny lowercase “FW” printed directly before the plate letter and number (for example: FW F 42). This marks bills made in Texas.
Has only a letter and a number with no "FW" indicator (for example: simply B 15). This marks bills made at the D.C. headquarters.
Official 2013-B Duplicate Serial Number Overlap Ranges
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| Error Run Group | Serial Number Range | Printed at D.C. | Printed at Fort Worth | Error Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run 1 Overlap | B 0000 0001 * to B 0025 0000 * | November 2014 | July 2016 | DUPLICATE |
| Run 2/3 Overlap | B 0320 0001 * to B 0960 0000 * | November 2014 | July 2016 | DUPLICATE |
If your bill falls inside one of these ranges, it is an authentic error note. While a single un-paired 2013-B star bill typically sells for $20 to $50, collectors actively maintain online databases to pair up twin notes. When two collectors discover they own the matching D.C. and Fort Worth copies of the exact same serial number, the reunited pair can sell for $2,000 to over $8,000 at major numismatic auctions.
How to Store, Preserve, and Sell Star Notes
If our tool indicates that you have a scarce star replacement note, preserving its condition is critical to protecting its value:
1. Use rigid currency holders: Place your bill in a clean, archival semi-rigid plastic currency sleeve. Avoid regular photo albums or sandwich bags, as soft vinyl plastics contain chemicals that can discolor paper currency over time.
2. Do not iron, wash, or tape bills: Never attempt to flatten a wrinkled bill with an iron or wash it with water. Paper money grading services like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) and PCGS Banknote inspect fibers under magnification; any chemical cleaning or artificial flattening is marked as "Altered" and severely reduces collector demand.
3. Check completed auction sales: If you decide to sell your note, look up recent completed auctions on numismatic marketplaces rather than asking prices. Look for notes with matching run sizes, districts, and similar paper quality to gauge realistic market prices.
4. Check for fancy serial patterns: If your star note also features a special numerical pattern (such as a radar, solid, ladder, or low serial under 1,000), visit our Fancy Serial Number Checker to evaluate its pattern rarity and coolness rating. A star note that also possesses a fancy serial pattern is considered an elite double-rarity by paper money specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about paper currency star replacement notes and collector values.
What is a star note on a dollar bill?
A star note is a replacement banknote printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). When a sheet of bills is damaged during printing, the BEP replaces it with a sheet marked with a star symbol instead of the standard suffix letter, because federal rules prohibit printing duplicate serial numbers within a run.
What does the star mean on a dollar bill?
The star symbol on a dollar bill indicates that the bill was printed as a replacement for an imperfect or misprinted note that was destroyed during quality control inspections at the printing facility.
Are star notes worth more than face value?
Many star notes are printed in large standard batches of 3,200,000 notes and are worth face value in circulated condition. However, star notes from short runs (640,000 notes or fewer) or older series can sell for significant premiums, ranging from $10 to several hundred dollars depending on condition.
What makes a star note rare?
A star note is considered rare primarily due to its print run size. When the BEP prints a replacement batch with 640,000, 320,000, or fewer bills, fewer surviving examples enter circulation, driving collector demand and market value.
What is the 2013 Series $1 duplicate star note error?
In Series 2013, both the Washington D.C. facility and the Fort Worth, Texas facility printed identical serial numbers for New York (B) star notes. This rare printing accident created matched pairs that collectors actively seek, with verified twin pairs trading for thousands of dollars.
How do I look up my star note using serial numbers and run tables?
To look up a star note, identify the series year printed near the portrait, the denomination, the Federal Reserve district letter, and the 8-digit serial number. Enter these into the lookup tool to check which production run your note belongs to and see its official rarity rating.
How much is a $2 star note worth?
Modern $2 star notes in circulated condition are often worth $3 to $5, while crisp uncirculated examples from small print runs typically fetch $15 to $50. Older issues, such as Series 1976 Bicentennial $2 star notes from scarce districts, can sell for $30 to $100 or more.
Are $100 star notes worth keeping?
Circulated $100 star notes from standard 3.2-million runs are generally only worth their $100 face value. However, uncirculated notes from short runs of 640,000 or 320,000 notes are worth keeping, as unblemished examples can trade for $150 to $350 or more among currency collectors.