16 Rare Bills Worth Thousands That Are Highly Coveted by Collectors
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Daria Uhlig
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Paper currency doesn’t get as much attention on the collector’s market as coins, which have a metal content that boosts their value and sometimes date back to the earliest days of human civilization. But certain rare bills can still fetch a lot of money from collectors.
If you’re on the lookout for valuable paper currency, a good place to start is the United States. Nearly all of the world’s most valuable banknotes were minted in the U.S., though there are a few exceptions.
As previously reported by GOBankingRates, the most valuable bill in the world might be an 1890 U.S. Grand Watermelon $1,000 treasury note valued at $3.3 million. Another bill valued in seven figures is the 1891 Red Seal $1,000 treasury note, which has been valued at $2.5 million.
GOBankingRates researched sales prices on the Great American Coin Company, Colin Narbeth & Son Ltd. and Noonans Mayfair websites to find more rare bills worth thousands of dollars.
USA 1928 Gold Certificate
- Condition: About uncirculated
- $1,049.95
USA 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
- Condition: About uncirculated
- $1,054.95
USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
- Condition: Very good
- $1,283.95
USA 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $2,029.89
USA 1899 Large Size Silver Certificate
- Condition: About uncirculated
- $2,450.55
USA 1928 $20 Gold Certificate
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $2,793.22
USA 1928 $2 Red Seal FRN Star Note
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $2,835.42
USA 1899 $2 Large Size Silver Certificate
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $3,825.95
Fiji 1969 £20 Color Trial
- Condition: Extremely fine
- $3,983.00
USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
- Condition: Very fine
- $4,298.95
USA 1922 $20 Gold Certificate Large Size Note
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $5,495.50
USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
- Condition: Extra fine
- $5,695.95
Abyssinia (P3s) 50 Thalers
- Condition: Extremely fine
- $6,083.00
Malta 1967 £5
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $6,083.00
USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate
- Condition: Uncirculated
- $8,622.95
UK 1936 British £500 Bank of England/Leeds Banknote
- Condition: Not reported
- $31,000 (March 2023 sale price)
Note the definitions of the various conditions of these rare bills:
- “Uncirculated” bills are in pristine condition.
- “About uncirculated” bills have the slightest evidence of wear.”
- “Extremely fine” and “extremely fine” bills have little sign of wear.
- “Very fine” have moderate evidence of wear.
- “Very good” are worn but intact.
How To Tell If a Bill Is Worth Money
To determine if a bill has value to collectors, here are some things to look for:
- Oddities and errors such as uncirculated bills, misprints and high denominations that are no longer printed
- Sizes that are larger or smaller than standard bills, especially in the U.S.
- High serial numbers
- Bills with different denominations on the back and front
If you come across a rare bill you think might be valuable, there are a few ways to confirm it. Here are some options:
- Apps: For paper currency, NoteSnap is a good resource.
- Local coin dealers: Coin dealers can also be a great resource for determining the value of paper currency.
- Online forums: A good option here is the r/Currency thread devoted to helping users determine if currency is worth a lot of money.
- Auction houses: Some experts recommend taking your currency to a platform like Heritage Auctions, which can evaluate your bill for free.
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