Star Notes: What the ★ Means and When It's Worth Money
A star at the end of a serial number means the note is a replacement — printed to take the place of a note damaged during production. Every star note is scarcer than its regular version, but most modern stars are worth only a small premium. The money is in small print runs and high grades.
Why star notes exist
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing tracks every serial number. When a sheet is spoiled during printing, reprinting the exact same serials would be expensive — so replacement sheets get their own serial range, marked with a star. That's why stars are printed in much smaller quantities than regular notes.
What decides a star note's value
- Run size (the big one): stars are printed in runs. A 3,200,000-note run is common; a 320,000-note run is the smallest standard run and collectors chase it. Some runs are under 250,000 — those bring the strongest premiums.
- Denomination and series: $1 stars are printed in huge numbers; $50 and $100 stars are much scarcer. Older series (1950s and earlier) generally beat modern ones.
- Condition: a circulated common star might bring $2–$5 over face; the same note crisp uncirculated can bring 5–10× more.
- Serial number bonus: a star note that's also a low serial or fancy pattern stacks two premiums on one note.
Ballpark values
| Star note type | Circulated | Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| Modern $1 FRN star, large run | face–$3 | $5–$10 |
| Modern $20 star, standard run | face–$25 | $30–$60 |
| Small run (≤640k) modern star | $5–$30 | $40–$150+ |
| 1957 $1 Silver Certificate star | $2–$4 | $10–$20 |
| 1935 early-series $1 star | $5–$15 | $30–$75 |
| 1928-series star notes | $20–$100+ | $150–$1,000+ |
These are typical ranges, not guarantees — run size moves individual notes far outside them. Always check your exact serial.
How to check your star note's run size
Look up the series, denomination, and Federal Reserve district (the letter code in the serial) to find the print run your note belongs to. Small run + nice condition = list it individually, never spend it. The Note ID app does this lookup automatically when you scan a bill and flags small-run stars.
Frequently asked questions
Is every star note valuable?
No. All stars are scarcer than regular notes, but modern $1 stars from large runs are worth barely over face circulated. The valuable ones combine small runs, older series, or high grade.
Where is the star on the note?
At the end of the serial number, replacing the usual suffix letter — e.g. NJ00002978★. Both serial numbers on the note will show it.
What's a duplicate serial star note?
In rare cases (like the 2013 $1 duplication error) two facilities printed the same serials — matched pairs bring hundreds of dollars. Single notes from those ranges also carry premiums.
Should I get my star note graded?
Only if it's uncirculated and from a scarce run — grading costs $20–$40 per note, so the note should be worth well over $75 to justify it.
How do I find out what my star note sold for recently?
Check eBay sold listings for your exact series + district + star. The Note ID app pulls those sold prices automatically after identifying your note.
Not sure what you have?
Scan any US coin or bill with your camera — Note ID identifies it and flags star notes, fancy serials, and key dates for free.
Download Note ID FreeRelated guides
Fancy Serial Numbers Explained
Radars, ladders, solids — patterns that stack premiums on any note.
1957 Silver Certificate Value
Includes what 1957 star notes are worth.
1976 $2 Bill Value
America's favorite 'rare' note that usually isn't — with the exceptions that are.
Values on this page are estimates for typical examples and are not an appraisal. Real-world prices depend on condition, third-party grading, and current demand — always check recent eBay sold listings (the Note ID app does this for you) before buying or selling.