Frequently Asked Collectible US Paper Money Questions
Why does the Star Note Lookup say my note was printed in Washington D.C. when the Federal Reserve Bank seal clearly says differently?
The Federal Reserve Bank and printing facility are not the same. There are two facilities that print US currency – Fort Worth and Washington D.C. Notes are printed only at those two locations, but then distributed to the 12 Federal Reserve Banks for circulation.
What currency reference books do you recommend?
Read about the best US paper money reference books here.
Where can I sell my collectible paper money?
ebay is a popular place to buy and sell currency. Watch out for the fees, though. For example, selling a $100 bill for $115 can cost you money after fees + shipping costs.
Should I sell or keep my note?
What notes you collect, sell, deposit, or spend is up to you. If you find a certain type of note interesting, collect it. There is no rule saying that notes must be rare or valuable to be collected. I have many notes in my collection that I like that will be worth face value now and forever. Do you want to hold onto a note so it appreciates in value? Okay, then do some research, get a reference book or two, and decide for yourself.
What is my note worth?
I don't know! There are many factors that go into determining a note's value. Each note is unique and takes time and effort to appraise. I wrote a whole article about how to determine your note's value.
Is it common to get notes with sequential serial numbers?
Yes. Nearly all notes are printed in sequential order and initially released into circulation that way. The only exception is sheet-type star notes.
Why does my note say series 2017 but the Star Note Lookup says it was printed in 2019.
The date on coins actually indicates the year it was minted. Paper money is different. The series changes when there is a redesign or the Treasurer of the United States and/or Secretary or the Treasury is replaced (those are the signatures you see on the front/bottom of notes).