Why Do Some Dollar Bills Have a Star on Them?

A small star on some United States dollar bills often sparks curiosity. While most currency notes circulate without this distinctive mark, the star symbol signifies a unique aspect of the money production process. Many people notice these stars but are unaware of their specific purpose or what they might represent.

Understanding Star Notes

The star symbol on a dollar bill indicates that it is a “replacement note.” These notes are printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to substitute for bills that were found to be imperfectly printed or damaged during the manufacturing process. When errors such as smudges, streaks, cutting errors, or folding issues occur during the printing of currency sheets, the flawed notes are removed.

Since every serial number must be unique and no two bills within a series can share the same serial number, the original serial number of a defective note cannot simply be reprinted. Therefore, a new note with a unique serial number and an appended star is produced to maintain the correct count of notes within a production batch. This process ensures that the total number of bills in a specific print run remains consistent despite any initial production flaws.

Identifying Star Notes

The star symbol, typically a five-pointed asterisk (), usually appears at the end of the serial number. This serial number is a unique combination of eleven numbers and letters printed twice on the front of the note. While the star most commonly follows the serial number on modern U.S. currency, older series notes, such as gold and silver certificates, may feature the star at the beginning of the serial number. The star replaces the final letter of the serial number that would ordinarily cycle through the alphabet.

Factors Influencing Star Note Value

While all star notes are replacement notes, not every star note holds significant value beyond its face value to collectors. Several factors influence a star note’s potential worth, with rarity and condition being primary considerations.

Rarity is largely determined by the size of the original print run for a specific series and denomination. Smaller print runs mean fewer star notes were produced, making them more difficult to find and thus more valuable. For instance, print runs of 640,000 notes or fewer are generally considered rare enough to be worth more than face value, with those under 160,000 notes being highly scarce.

The note’s physical condition also greatly impacts its value; uncirculated notes, which show no signs of handling, folds, or tears, are the most desirable to collectors. Older series or specific years may also be more sought after due to historical significance or known low print quantities. Furthermore, star notes with very low serial numbers or unique patterns, sometimes called “fancy serial numbers,” can increase their appeal and value to collectors.