1,Is serial number 1 always more valuable than solid 8’s if they are in the same condition? 2,The same serial number of different denomination, for example, $1 solid 8’s and $100 solid 8’s, which one is more valuable?
I don't see why all 8's would command any more money over all 7's or 4's or any of the same number. The lower the serial number, the better. Condition of the note is most important.
My question to you is why are you so focused on straight 8s? Other than the Chinese thinking it is lucky, collectors tend to collect the lower serial numbers, regardless of denomination. While both are interesting, in my opinion, I like the thought of the lowest serial number being the "newest" printed.
What about lots of trailing zeros? I know the BEP destroys numbers like 10000000. Do they also try to destroy 00000001? I can never find enough of those trailing zero notes to figure out what they should be worth.
Never heard about them destroying those numbers. It seems the super low numbers, never make it to circulation. But not because they have been destroyed. As they do make it to the secondary retail market as if by magic, and in perfect uncirculated condition.
Defective notes are replaced with star notes but the BEP does not destroy good bills regardless of the number.
Ah, OK, I found one discussion regarding the trailing zeros. It's here: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/paper-currencies/241377-notes-ending-4-zeros.html A guy on the internet said this: Modern notes ENDING in four or more 0s or four or more 9s for that matter are actually quite rare to find. Much rarer than any with the same amount of leading zeroes. The reason is that they are nearly always pulled out of the straps of printed notes and replaced with star notes. For example if you have a bundle of 1000 notes that say begins with serial D01239001A, it would then typically end in serial D01240000A. However, the last two notes, D01239999A and D01240000A will be removed, destroyed, and replaced with a pre-printed star note (usually from a low print run). This is done for various reasons, sometimes for testing purposes, to make sure the serials line up properly, etc. However the main reason is that the serial number rollers are a bit finicky when you approach a rollover. Sometimes they won't line up properly and the serials look like how a car's odometer looks when it rolls over to 10000 miles. The 9s and 0s will sometimes not fully turn or do a 7/8th turn or something to that effect. It's just easier for the BEP to pull those rollover notes before they are released and replace with a star note and that is what is done 99+% of the time. Now for collector value, the lower the serial the better typically however I personally have never even seen a *modern* FRN note with four ending zeroes. I have seen a 2004A $20 w/ 4 ending 9s though.
stevereecy - I know that #100000000 gets pulled because the numbering machine rolls over to #00000000. It is replaced with a star note. I read of one case where a solid zero note did accidentally get into circulation, but don't recall the details. In the early days of small size notes, #100000000 was stamped by hand. I've also seen a picture of a large size note with this number. I haven't heard of #00000001 being destroyed.
