3 Valuable American Bills You Could Find in Your Wallet
Written by
J. Arky
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Nicholas Morine
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Money has a long history — one filled with stories, details and facts that are not necessarily presented on the surface when we use it to buy goods and purchase services. There are a lot of coins still in circulation that are valuable beyond what they originally were when they came out of the mint. The same is true for bills that are still floating around currently.
While lots of collectors are on the hunt for these bills of currency, there is the possibility that you come across them in your everyday transactions. If you do, make sure you know what to look for and how to assess if it’s the real deal.
“Remember, the value of these bills can vary significantly based on factors like condition and rarity,” cautioned James Smith, the founder of Travel-Lingual, a platform for learning about different cultures and currencies worldwide. “Always consult with a reputable currency appraiser or collector for an accurate assessment.”
Here are three valuable American paper bills you might still find in your wallet — if you’re quite lucky.
The 1928 $500 Bill
While it was introduced in 1918, the last $500 bill to hit the American money circulation circle happened in 1945, when it stopped being printed. After years of featuring Chief Justice John Marshall on the note, beginning in 1918, latter years featured a portrait of President William McKinley.
High grade examples can be worth over $2,500, according to APMEX. This $500 bill was officially and formally discontinued in 1969.
The 1950 $100 Bill
Of all the bills that are valuable and still in somewhat feasible circulation, the 1950 $100 is the most commonly used bill today. It’s rare in that it features a detailed portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
If you can find it in a fairly solid condition, this $100 is worth around $120 to $150 in today’s dollars. Choice graded examples could be worth north of $300, per eBay sold listings as of Sept. 17.
The 1862 $50 Bill
This valuable piece of printed money displays a portrait of Alexander Hamilton. These initial bills were referred to as “large-size legal tender bills.”
Today, one of these can fetch a price of more than $75,000, according to a high-grade 2018 example sold via Heritage Auctions.
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