By CoinWeek …..
Star notes are replacement notes printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to take the place of notes that had been printed in sequence but were somehow messed up. These are highly collectible bills that can be found in circulation at face value and are a good area of study for new collectors. In our recent survey of eBay results, we discovered three examples that you can still pull from circulation that have sold for sizable premiums.
What Is a Star Note and Why Are They Valuable?
Star Notes get their name from the presence of a star (★) next to their serial number. The practice of using a star to denote a replacement note is longstanding at the BEP – which opens the door for collectors to pursue a wide variety of bills in various denominations and series throughout United States history. It is important to note that star notes are issued in a different numerical sequence than the notes they replace. As quality control at the BEP is typically very high, fewer star notes for each series will be issued than their regular note counterparts.
The headers below are links to the lot listings, though eBay removes listings after three months.
1988A Federal Reserve ‘WEB’ -*STAR* note-fr. 1917-F*–(1/2)–PCGS CU 64 EPQ
This $1 Federal Reserve Note is a scarce WEB Replacement Note. From 1992 to 1996, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing experimented with a rolling press to produce paper money. These notes can be identified by series and serial number, and collectors should refer to the latest edition of Friedberg for the complete listing.
WEB Replacement Notes flew under the radar for several years, so they remain scarce, especially in uncirculated conditions. This example sold on eBay on January 11 for $2,750–a tidy profit for the lucky individual who cherrypicked this star note from circulation.
“Super Rare Single Digit Low Serial Off Center $1 Dollar Star Note #00000006*
Fancy serial numbers are always fun to collect. This note, the sixth in the run, has one of the lowest serial numbers you will ever come across. Only five bills can be lower. Even though the note shows visible wear from circulation–as well as a crease through the portrait–a buyer paid $1,999.
This price seems exorbitant to us, but collectors enthusiastically pursue low-digit paper money. If you find a note with a single- or double-digit serial number, expect strong collector interest in buying it.
Fancy, low, binary, Serial Number 1 Dollar Star Note Bill circulated
Lucky numbers are another niche for paper money collectors. This fancy serial number shows five zeros followed by three eights. In some Asian cultures, the number 8 is considered auspicious. For the Lunar New Year, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing often offers “Lucky Number” notes for sale. This star note, also circulated, sold on eBay for $1,000!
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This article just scratches the surface of the exciting field of paper money collecting. For more about what you can find on a Federal Reserve Note, check out this primer.
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