I’m a Banking Expert: Here Are the 3 Most Common ‘Special Notes’ People Ask for
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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When it comes to seeking special or unique notes or coinage, you might think you’d need to visit a museum or a coin collector’s shop. However, if you’re eager to get your hands on some out-of-the-ordinary bills, you might be surprised that you can find what you’re looking for at your local bank branch.
Bank tellers and experts are very familiar with requests for certain kinds of bank notes. In fact, they encounter them more often than you might think. To learn more about the most commonly asked-for notes, GOBankingRates connected with Kimberly Cole, director of Retail Operations at Fifth Third Bank.
Rare and Collectible Currency
According to Cole, some of the most popular requests bank tellers receive are for rare or collectible currencies like $2 bills or silver dollars. While coin collectors commonly request these to add to their collections, Cole pointed out that many times, bankers are asked for these bank notes for an adorable reason: Apparently, $2 bills and silver dollars are the favorite choices for Tooth Fairy payments.
Crisp Dollar Bills
If you’re one of the many people who grew up with a parent or grandparent seemingly obsessed with keeping crisp, uncirculated bills in their wallet, you’re hardly alone. Cole shared that bankers often get special requests for pristine new bills that stand out from the rest of the cash in circulation. She added that sequential serial numbers are also highly sought after.
However, if you’re expecting to roll up to a bank branch at any time and walk out with fresh, uncreased bills that would make your grandfather proud, just know that finding those bills is often a matter of timing and luck. “We do sometimes get new bills in our currency orders, but that is by chance,” she said.
Specific Denominations for Gifts
Banks also accommodate requests for specific denominations, especially for gifts or special events. Bankers get a particular joy out of working with coin and bank note enthusiasts. Cole noted that bank tellers try to fulfill customer requests using the cash they have on hand and may even place special orders to help meet a customer’s request.
“We occasionally will place an order based on a specific request for a customer. For example, we once fulfilled an order for a company that wanted a large number of $2 bills they were including in a marketing mailing,” she said.
Remember, banks aren’t just places to store your money — they’re also resources for people who are passionate about currency, whether they’re collectors or parents trying to satisfy a whimsical Tooth Fairy tradition. Don’t hesitate to ask your local branch about the unique notes you’re searching for — you might just be surprised by what treasures they can unearth from their vaults.
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