What Is a Star Note Bill and What Is It Worth?
Learn about U.S. star notes: what they are, how to identify them, and the key factors that influence their potential collector value.
Star notes are unique U.S. currency. These special replacement notes are printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to substitute for bills identified as flawed during manufacturing. They function as regular legal tender, but their origin interests collectors and the general public. Understanding them involves recognizing their purpose, identification, and factors contributing to their value.
Understanding Star Notes
Star notes serve a specific accounting purpose within the currency production system. When the BEP manufactures currency, errors like misprints, smudges, or tears can occur. Instead of discarding the entire sheet and disrupting sequential numbering, the BEP uses star notes as replacements. This ensures the total count of banknotes with unique serial numbers remains consistent, maintaining numbering system integrity.
Production scenarios include various printing imperfections. Inking errors cause smudges or streaks, and cutting errors lead to improperly sized notes. Folding errors, where paper creases during printing, also require replacement. Replacement notes are identical to standard bills except for a distinctive mark in their serial number, confirming their role. Like all U.S. currency, star notes are legal tender and can be used at face value.
Identifying a Star Note
Identifying a star note involves inspecting the bill’s serial number. On modern U.S. currency, the serial number, a unique combination of letters and digits, appears twice on the front. This serial number typically consists of a sequence of characters ending with a letter.
A star note is distinguished by an asterisk () or star symbol at the end of its serial number, replacing the final letter. For older currency, the star symbol might appear at the beginning of the serial number. This asterisk is the definitive indicator that the bill is a replacement note, providing a clear identification method.
Factors Affecting Star Note Value
Many star notes in circulation are only worth their face value, like any other banknote. A star note’s value beyond its denomination depends on factors appealing to collectors. These factors collectively determine a note’s rarity and desirability.
Rarity drives increased value, largely influenced by the note’s print run. Star notes produced in smaller quantities are more valuable; print runs of 640,000 notes or fewer are considered rare. Notes from runs of 16,000 or fewer are exceptionally scarce. Collectors seek notes from these limited printings to complete sets, heightening demand.
A star note’s physical condition also impacts its worth. Uncirculated notes, characterized by crispness, original appearance, and absence of folds, tears, or stains, command the highest premiums. A star note, no matter how rare its print run, will have diminished value if it is heavily worn or damaged.
Certain series or denominations might be known for rarer star notes, such as higher denominations which typically have smaller print runs. While most star notes are not rare, for those meeting these criteria, consulting a reputable currency collector or appraiser can provide an accurate value assessment.