Dollar Bill With Star At End Of Serial Number
Have you ever wondered what the star at the end of a dollar bill's serial number means? If you've noticed it before, you might have thought it was just a fancy design element. However, that little star actually has a significant meaning.
What is the Star at the End of the Serial Number?
The star at the end of the serial number on a dollar bill indicates that the bill is a replacement note. Replacement notes are used by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) when a printing error occurs during the production of a batch of bills.
When a printing error is detected, the BEP replaces the affected bills with new ones. These replacement notes have serial numbers that end with a star, indicating that they are not part of the original batch.
How to Identify a Replacement Note
Aside from the star at the end of the serial number, there are other ways to identify a replacement note. First, the serial number on a replacement note will have a different prefix than the original batch. This prefix indicates the series and denomination of the bill.
For example, if the original batch of $1 bills had a serial number prefix of "A," the replacement notes would have a different prefix, such as "B" or "C."
Another way to identify a replacement note is by looking for a small letter next to the serial number. Replacement notes will have a letter in addition to the star, indicating which run of replacement notes they were part of.
Are Replacement Notes Valuable?
Replacement notes are not inherently more valuable than regular notes. However, some collectors may be interested in them due to their rarity.
Because replacement notes are only printed when there is a mistake in the original batch, they are much less common than regular notes. This can make them more desirable to collectors who are looking for unique or rare bills to add to their collection.
Conclusion
The star at the end of a dollar bill's serial number indicates that the bill is a replacement note, printed by the BEP to replace bills with printing errors. While replacement notes are not inherently more valuable than regular notes, they may be of interest to collectors due to their rarity.
If you come across a dollar bill with a star at the end of the serial number, take a closer look to see if it is a replacement note. You never know, it could be a rare find for your collection!