Where is the star on my note?
On modern Federal Reserve notes the star replaces the letter at the end of the serial number, so you see something like B12345678 followed by a star. On older notes, including silver certificates, United States notes and gold certificates, the star sits at the start of the serial number instead.
People often mistake other stars for star notes. The Treasury seal has a row of small stars. The Great Seal on the back of the $1 shows stars above the eagle. Neither counts. Only a star printed as part of the serial number, in the same ink color as the serial, makes a star note.
Why replacement notes exist
Each regular note carries a unique serial number. The Treasury has to account for every one. When inspectors find a misprinted or damaged sheet, they can't simply reprint those exact numbers. Instead the bad sheet is destroyed and replaced by a sheet from a separate star note run, with its own serial numbers and a star to mark it.
That is why a star note can show up in a pack of regular notes with serial numbers that have nothing to do with its neighbors. It also means the number of star notes in any series depends on how many sheets were spoiled and how the Bureau scheduled its replacement runs, not on any plan to make collectibles.
How big is a star note print run?
Modern star notes are printed in runs. The largest standard run is 3,200,000 notes. Shorter runs are common. Sizes such as 320,000, 640,000, 1,280,000 and 2,560,000 turn up often in production records. A short run still uses a block of serial numbers. The next run begins at the next multiple of 3.2 million.
Collectors generally treat a run of 640,000 notes or fewer as the point where a modern star note becomes scarce enough to carry a premium. A run of 3,200,000 is ordinary. Condition matters as well: a scarce-run star with folds and stains is worth far less to a collector than the same note fresh from a bank pack.
How to look up a modern star note
You need four pieces of information from the note itself. Collectors match these against published production tables. Several free star note lookup tools do the matching for you.
- Denomination.
- Series year, printed near the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury (for example, Series 2017A).
- The Federal Reserve Bank letter. On notes with two letters before the serial, it is the second letter. On older notes with one prefix letter, it is that letter.
- Where it was printed. Notes from the Fort Worth facility have a small "FW" before the face plate number at the right of the face. No FW means Washington, D.C.
Older star notes: silver certificates and red seals
Before the 1960s, print records are patchier, so collectors judge older star notes more by series and type. Series 1935 and 1957 $1 silver certificate stars are the ones most people find. In circulated condition they carry a small premium over the regular note. In uncirculated condition they move into collector premium territory.
Stars from Series 1928 silver certificates and United States notes, the wartime yellow seal and Hawaii issues and gold certificates are much scarcer. Star notes on large-size notes exist too and are prized by type collectors. If you find a star note on any blue, red, brown, yellow or gold seal note, set it aside and get a second opinion before spending it.
Combinations that matter more
A star note with a fancy serial number is a double feature. A star with a low serial like 00000123, a solid number or a radar is a different class of note from an ordinary star. Errors on star notes are prized too, because they mean the replacement note itself went wrong.
Sequential star notes from the same pack also get attention, mostly from collectors building runs. Two or three consecutive stars with modest folds won't do much, but an unbroken group straight from a bank strap is worth checking against the production records.
What to do with the star note in your wallet
Look it up first. If it comes from a large run and has been folded, it is a face value note with a nice story. If it comes from a short run, keep it flat in a sleeve and see the pages on grading and selling. Never press out folds to make it look new. Pressing flattens the paper and collectors can tell.
If you want to hunt for them, ask a bank for new straps of $1 or $2 notes and look at the ends of the serial numbers. It costs nothing but time, because you can spend whatever you don't keep.
Frequently asked questions
Are all star notes worth more than face value?
No. Most modern star notes come from runs of millions and are face value, especially when circulated. Short runs of 640,000 or fewer, older series and uncirculated condition are what earn a premium.
Why is there a star on my dollar bill serial number?
It marks a replacement note. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing printed it to replace a sheet that was damaged or misprinted during production.
How rare are star notes?
It depends on the print run. A run of 3,200,000 is common, while runs of a few hundred thousand are scarce. Look up the series, bank letter and printing facility to find the run size.
Is a star note from the 1950s rare?
Series 1957 $1 silver certificate stars are fairly common. Worn ones bring a small premium and crisp uncirculated ones bring more. Earlier series and other note types are harder to find.
Sources: My Currency Collection: What Is a Star Note? · Bureau of Engraving and Printing: How Money Is Made