A Hidden Treasure in Your Wallet
Imagine pulling a $5 bill from your pocket and finding out it’s worth $60,000. That’s the exciting reality for a rare $5 star note that has collectors buzzing across the USA. Star notes are special bills printed to replace damaged or misprinted ones, marked with a star symbol in the serial number. A specific $5 star note, especially from certain years, has sold for huge sums at auctions, with one fetching $60,000 in 2024. This news has sparked a treasure hunt, as these bills might still be hiding in your cash.
What Makes Star Notes So Special
Star notes are created when the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing spots a flaw in a regular bill during production. Instead of reusing the same serial number, they print a replacement with a star at the end. These notes are rarer than standard bills, and some stand out due to low print runs or unique serial numbers, like low digits or repeating patterns. A $5 star note from the 1969 series, with a low serial number and in perfect condition, recently sold for $60,000, making it a collector’s dream. Older notes from the 1920s to 1970s are especially valuable if they’re crisp and uncirculated.
How to Spot a Valuable $5 Star Note
Think you might have one? Here’s what to check. Look at the serial number on your $5 bill, usually in green or blue ink on the front. If it ends with a star symbol (), it’s a star note. Check the year printed near Abraham Lincoln’s portrait; valuable ones often come from 1969, 2003, or 2013. Look for low serial numbers, like 00000001, or repeating patterns, like 77777777*. The bill should be clean, with no folds or tears. If it looks promising, don’t clean it, as that can lower its value. Take it to a professional grader like PCGS or NGC for verification.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Years | 1969, 2003, 2013 |
| Serial Number | Ends with * (e.g., ML00000001*) |
| Condition | Crisp, uncirculated |
| Federal Reserve Bank | B (New York), L (San Francisco) |
| Estimated Value | Up to $60,000 |
Where These Notes Might Be Hiding
These rare star notes could be anywhere. Some were spent as regular money before their value was known, so they might turn up in cash registers, vending machines, or old wallets. Experts say only a small number of these high-value notes exist, with many in private collections or museums. Real-life stories, like a Texas gas station worker finding a 2013 star note worth $8,000, have fueled excitement. Check your change, old envelopes, or family keepsakes—you might stumble on a fortune.
What to Do If You Find One
If you find a $5 star note, handle it carefully. Store it in a protective sleeve to keep it pristine. Contact a trusted auction house, like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers, or a coin dealer for an appraisal. Fakes are common, so professional grading is a must to confirm its worth. If it’s the real deal, you could cash in big—some notes sell for thousands even if they’re not perfect. With collectors eager to pay top dollar, now’s the time to check your $5 bills for that lucky star.