“A dollar saved is a dollar earned” is a proverb that most people are familiar with. However, did you realize that some $1 bills can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars? Coins are frequently sought after by collectors, but paper money with odd serial numbers can be equally valuable.
Each U.S. dollar note has a serial number that is eight digits long. The majority are commonplace, but collectors are drawn to uncommon patterns. Unusual sequences are occasionally eliminated by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, so those that survive are highly valued.
The ladder pattern, which has numbers that run in exact order, like 01234567, is one of the most sought-after patterns. Radar notes, which have numbers like 22211222 that read the same both forward and backward, are also widely used.
Super radars, like 23333332, where the middle six digits match, are even more uncommon. Additionally, collectors seek out super repeaters, which employ only two digits in alternating order, such as 01010101; or repeaters, which repeat a sequence (01570157).
The radar repeater (12211221) and the double quad, which has two sets of four matching digits, are examples of more complicated combinations, such as 00003333.
Bills with sevens in a row (11111115) or sevens of a kind strewn throughout the number (11115111) are also valuable finds. Lastly, there are binary notes, like 11313111, that only have two digits.
Examine the bills in your wallet carefully before spending your money. If you see one of these uncommon patterns, you might not be holding spare change but rather a priceless collector’s item.
The possible value of odd bills can be estimated with the aid of websites such as coolserialnumbers.com. Even without one, collecting currency can be an interesting pastime that serves as a reminder that money can occasionally be worth more than its face value.