There are a little over 826 million $5 bill notes circulating in the U.S. today, with a total estimated value of around 15 billion, per the Treasury Department.
Some of those could actually be worth $2,000.
According to GoBankingRates, these treasure trove bills can be spotted by their unique serial numbers.
Take the case of TikTok influencer Shaun (known as BlueRidgeSilverHound), who was cited by GoBankingRates. It said that his account featured a “crumpled” $5 bill from 1988 that was sold for $2,040 in a Heritage Auction.
“This remarkable bill gained its immense value not because of its physical condition but due to a unique detail in its serial number, the site explained. “The note carries a ‘solid’ serial number — ‘G 88888888 A,’ which means all digits in the serial number are identical. These types of bills are extremely rare and sought after, as only about one in 11 million notes have a solid serial number, as stated by the personal finance website, The Penny Hoarder.”
Another solid serial number bill sold for a similar amount in 2008.
Each U.S. currency note of the same denomination has its own serial number, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing explained. Until 1995, every Federal Reserve Bank note had serial numbers consisting of one letter, eight digits, and one letter. Today, only $1 and $2 notes have that form. Earlier this year, Audacy podcast “Something Offbeat” explored $2 bills, which can also be sold for much more than their face value.
Collectors of currency often refer to unusual or prized serial numbers such as the ‘G 88888888 A’ find as “fancy” numbers.
“There are so many types of fancy serial numbers,” according to the Collectibles and Currency website. “However, ugly or fancy sometimes depends on the eyes of the holder.”
Solid serial numbers, low serial numbers and “ladder serial numbers” with consecutive digits are some examples of these “fancy” serial numbers.
For the buyer of the $2,000 fiver, the bills condition didn’t even seem to matter. GoBanking Rates said the note was in bad physical condition, including an ink stain.
“Although this blotch might seem like a defect, it does not impact the note’s value, as it isn’t related to the original printing process,” said the site which recommends that people who think they may have a “fancy serial number bill consider getting their cash appraised. Before heading to an appraiser, people can also type the bill’s serial number into sites that offer to check for “fancy” serial numbers, such as My Currency Collection.
Related
Related
