20+ Banknotes Worth Way More than Face Value – Errors, Rare and Fancy Serial Numbers

A number of 2005 Kansas state coins minted in Philadelphia were incorrectly imprinted with the motto “In God We Rust” due to build-up of grease in the die that meant the ‘T’ didn’t print. These error coins, which are in circulation at the current time, are worth anything up to $100 apiece depending on their condition.

As many as 50,000 Wisconsin state extra leaf quarters were issued accidentally by the Denver Mint in 2004. Two error varieties exist – the low leaf variety, which depicts an arched leaf jutting out sideways on the reverse of the coin, and the high leaf version. It shows an additional leaf poking out of the cheese wheel that touches the corn husk leaf. They are worth up to $400 each, so if you find one in your change make sure to hang onto it!

Notes with serial numbers made up of digits that are all identical are rare. Only one in 11 million bills printed boast this type of serial number. As a result, they are worth big bucks. Considered lucky by some, this dollar bill with a serial number entirely comprised of sevens sold recently on eBay for $600, but a $100 bill made up of ones from 2006 is available now on the CoolSerialNumbers site for a remarkable $4,500.

Notes that have serial numbers with digits that ascend or descend are pretty prized. Called ladder bills, the most sought-after are the true or perfect ladder serial numbers 12345678 and 87654321. They are exceedingly scarce and represent only one in 96 million bills printed, hence their high value.

The world’s most valuable rare notes

Scan your bills for low serial numbers as they are worth serious money. In fact, according to the experts, a redesigned $100 bill with the serial number 00000001 could fetch between $10,000 and $15,000, though typically low serial number bills, say with numbers 00000002 or 00000005 are worth a little less, realizing up to $1,000.

You’ll have hit the jackpot if you discover one of these babies in your change. Only 50 specimens max of the 1969-S doubled die Lincoln penny escaped the mint and made it into circulation. Michigan collector Michael Tremonti found one in 2007 while searching through a 50-coin roll that was later valued at a sensational $126,500.

Modern coins with mistakes worth more than their face value

During World War II pennies were struck in zinc-coated steel as copper was needed for the war effort, but a tiny batch was accidentally minted in copper. Up to 26 examples of the Philadelphia and San Francisco-minted coins are estimated to be floating around. In 1947, 16-year-old Don Lutes Jr discovered one of these coins in his lunch money change, and kept it. It recently sold at auction for a whopping $204,000. The best way to identify a 1943 copper penny is to use a magnet. Steel pennies will stick, while the valuable copper rarities will not.

The world-famous 1890 Grand Watermelon $1,000 treasury note exceeded all expectations when it fetched a staggering $3.3 million at auction in 2014, making it the world’s most valuable banknote. The bill is so-named on account of the zeros, which have been likened to watermelons.

This exquisite $10 gold coin dated 1804 was actually minted in 1834 for President Andrew Jackson to offer as a diplomatic gift to officials in Asia. Today, only four examples exist, and this particular specimen sold for $5 million at auction in 2007.

The world’s most valuable coin and then some, this 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is the finest known example and was among the first dollar coins minted. Described as a “national treasure” by numismatic expert Steven Contursi, the historically important coin sold for an almost unbelievable $10 million at auction in 2013.