Is My Star Note or Banknote Valuable and Rare?

Star Note Search Tool – There are many factors to consider when determining if a star note is worth more than face value – condition, age, total number of star notes printed for the specific series/denomination/FRB, and the size of the print run.  That last two – the total printed and the size of the specific print run – are the more important aspects and what the Star Note Lookup helps you find.

How to Use the Variety Errors Banknote and Star Note Lookup Tool

To get an accurate “Stat Card” result, you need to input three pieces of data from your note:

1. The Series Year: Found near the portrait (e.g., 2013, 2017A).

2. The Serial Number: The full 8 digits plus the prefix and suffix (e.g., MB 12345678 *).

3. The Plate Position (Optional): Look for small numbers in the corners of the note.

Understanding the Results

• Common Run: These notes were printed in batches of 3.2 million or more. They are great for “filling a hole” in a collection but rarely carry a high premium.

• Rare/Short Run: Batches of 640,000 or fewer. These are the “keepers.”

• Variety/Error Flag: This is where our tool shines. It cross-references your serial number against known production errors like the Series 2013 Duplicate B-Run.

  ---

In summary – the order of star note rarity, most to least:

1. Star note print runs of 640,000 notes or less that happen to be the only print run for a specific series/denomination/FRB combination AND it is an older series.
2. A similar star note print run as above, except printed for a more recent series.
3. Star note print runs of 640,000 notes or less, where there are other star note print runs in the FRB.
4. Star note print runs of more than 640,000 notes. The larger the print run, the more common the note is.

The Three “Holy Grails” of Modern Collecting

A. Project 2013: The Duplicate Star Note

In 2013, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) accidentally printed two identical runs of $1 star notes—one in Washington D.C. and one in Fort Worth.

• The Hunt: If your serial number starts with B and falls within the 00000001 to 06400000** range, you have a duplicate potential note.

• The Goal: Finding the “matching pair” (both the DC and FW versions of the same serial) is a major event in the currency world.

B. The Web Press Era (1988A–1993)

Between 1991 and 1995, the BEP experimented with a “Web Press” that printed on continuous rolls of paper rather than sheets.

• The Indicator: On a standard note, the back plate number is in the bottom right corner. On a Web Press note, it is located right next to the “In God We Trust” motto.

• The Rarity: These were only produced for Series 1988A, 1990, and 1993. Our tool automatically flags these based on your serial number prefix.

C. The “Mule” Note

A “Mule” is a note printed with plates that weren’t intended to be used together (usually an older back plate with a newer front plate).

• How to Spot: Check the size of the plate numbers. If one is significantly larger or smaller than the other, you likely have a Mule.

Why VarietyErrors?

Most lookup tools only tell you if a star note is “rare.” We look at the entire history of the note. Our database includes:

• Proprietary Fintech Logic: We map the transition from the old “Small-Head” notes to the modern “Kodachrome” colorized notes.

• 10+ Years of Sales Data: We don’t just tell you it’s rare; we tell you why collectors want it.

• High-Integrity Research: We pull directly from monthly BEP production reports to ensure our Series 2021 and 2021A data is the most current on the web.

Final Thoughts from Kyle

Currency hunting is about the “thrill of the find,” but it’s also about having the right data. Whether you’re a “strap hunter” going through $1,000 in singles or just checking the change in your pocket, use this tool to ensure you never spend a fortune by mistake.

Variety Errors Tip: Always store your finds in PVC-free currency sleeves. Finger oils and humidity are the enemies of value!

MORE INFORMATION:

Why Are Small Print Runs Rare?

Many collectors try to complete star note sets by obtaining a specimen from each star note print run.  Naturally, the smaller the run, the harder they are to find.  It will be relatively easy to find or buy a note from the runs of 1.28+ million, but getting one where the print size is only 32,000 will be very difficult. Run size can vary greatly – 3.2 million notes is the largest print run size, but they can also be much smaller.  640,000 is generally the threshold of run size when star notes start being considered more rare.  Many small runs are printed between 160,000 and 640,000 notes.  Some have been printed in quantities of 16,000 or less.

Also Consider The Total Quantity Printed Per FRB

Another consideration is the total quantity of notes printed for the specific series/denomination/FRB combination.  Some collectors try to complete sets with one star note per FRB.  When a FRB has a few print runs of star notes, there are more notes out there to find or buy to fill the slot in their set.  If a FRB has three print runs – 320K, 640K, and 3.2 million – the collector can ignore the first two runs and complete the set with a cheaper, less rare note from the run of 3.2 million.  This deflates the value of notes in those first two rarer runs.

The Rarest of Star Notes

On the other hand, sometimes a FRB only has one star note print run, which might be a small run of 640,000 or less.  For example, the 2003 $1 “D” FRB has one star note print run, and it is only a quantity of 320,000 notes.  People who collect star notes by run and by FRB both need a specimen to complete their sets, so the note’s value increases.

Other Considerations

The condition of a note plays a HUGE role in it’s value.  The rarest star note probably isn’t worth much, if anything, more than face value if it’s dirty and shredded.

For older series notes, their run sizes matter far less.  Completing star note sets by print run is more common among modern star notes.  Older star note series typically get collected by FRB, so the total quantity printed is more important.  Additionally, many reference books don’t break down older-series star note value estimates beyond FRB letter.  The whole notion of print runs gets diluted.

Current Series Star Notes

For series that are currently being printed (like series 2013 now in February 2017), there is the unknown of future printings.  The value of a star note can change depending on whether more notes are printed prior to the series being retired. Also for series that are currently being printed, there is usually a frenzy around “fresh” star notes.  The BEP releases monthly production reports of which series and denominations are printed.  There is often a delay of a few months or more between receiving those reports and the notes being found in circulation.  The anticipation of finding the next newest, rarest star note often drives value up initially.Print Runs