16 Rare Bills Worth Thousands That Are Highly Coveted by Collectors

Paper currency doesn’t get as much attention on the collector’s market as coins, which have a metal content that boosts their value and sometimes date back to the earliest days of human civilization. But certain rare bills can still fetch a lot of money from collectors .

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If you’re on the lookout for valuable paper currency, a good place to start is the United States. Nearly all of the world’s most valuable banknotes were minted in the U.S., though there are a few exceptions.

As previously reported by GOBankingRates, the most valuable bill in the world might be an 1890 U.S. Grand Watermelon $1,000 treasury note valued at $3.3 million. Another bill valued in seven figures is the 1891 Red Seal $1,000 treasury note, which has been valued at $2.5 million.

GOBankingRates researched sales prices on the Great American Coin Company , Colin Narbeth & Son Ltd . and Noonans Mayfair websites to find more rare bills worth thousands of dollars .

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USA 1928 Gold Certificate

• Condition: About uncirculated
• $1,049.95

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USA 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note

• Condition: About uncirculated
• $1,054.95

USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate

• Condition: Very good
• $1,283.95

USA 1922 $10 Gold Certificate Large Size Note

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $2,029.89

USA 1899 Large Size Silver Certificate

• Condition: About uncirculated
• $2,450.55

USA 1928 $20 Gold Certificate

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $2,793.22

USA 1928 $2 Red Seal FRN Star Note

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $2,835.42

USA 1899 $2 Large Size Silver Certificate

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $3,825.95

Fiji 1969 £20 Color Trial

• Condition: Extremely fine
• $3,983.00

USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate

• Condition: Very fine
• $4,298.95

USA 1922 $20 Gold Certificate Large Size Note

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $5,495.50

USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate

• Condition: Extra fine
• $5,695.95

Abyssinia (P3s) 50 Thalers

• Condition: Extremely fine
• $6,083.00

Malta 1967 £5

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $6,083.00

USA 1899 $5 Indian Chief Large Silver Certificate

• Condition: Uncirculated
• $8,622.95

UK 1936 British £500 Bank of England/Leeds Banknote

• Condition: Not reported
• $31,000 (March 2023 sale price)

Note the definitions of the various conditions of these rare bills:

• “Uncirculated” bills are in pristine condition.
• “About uncirculated” bills have the slightest evidence of wear.”
• “Extremely fine” and “extremely fine” bills have little sign of wear.
• “Very fine” have moderate evidence of wear.
• “Very good” are worn but intact.

How To Tell If a Bill Is Worth Money

To determine if a bill has value to collectors, here are some things to look for:

• Oddities and errors such as uncirculated bills, misprints and high denominations that are no longer printed
• Sizes that are larger or smaller than standard bills, especially in the U.S.
• High serial numbers
• Bills with different denominations on the back and front

If you come across a rare bill you think might be valuable, there are a few ways to confirm it. Here are some options:

• Apps : For paper currency, NoteSnap is a good resource.
• Local coin dealers : Coin dealers can also be a great resource for determining the value of paper currency.
• Online forums : A good option here is the r/Currency thread devoted to helping users determine if currency is worth a lot of money.
• Auction houses: Some experts recommend taking your currency to a platform like Heritage Auctions, which can evaluate your bill for free.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 16 Rare Bills Worth Thousands That Are Highly Coveted by Collectors