What's Up With Star Bills?

Hi all. I'm wondering why some bills have stars in the serial number. I've heard of them, but I don't know much about them. I never saw or owned one until last week, when out of the blue I got two on separate occasions. Is it significant? Are they rare or valuable? Mine are in pretty nice condition.

 

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That happens when a note gets messed up the star signifys the new replacement note with everything the other one had.Sometimes it can bring a premium but condition,serial numbers,for older notes what city it originated etc all come into play.Most modern star notes are very common even in crisp gem condition,don't really have that much premium,can you show pictures of your notes in question.

 

Look up your serial number here:

https://www.mycurrencycollection.com/reference/star-notes/lookup

 

Welcome to Paper Money Devyn. Some individuals collect star notes and pay a premium over face value, but condition is paramount. When posting a query like yours, photos are usually necessary for a member to opine.

 

Most "Star" notes are just replacements of defective notes during production. The old ones, some did have the same numbers, but later they do not. They are and trying to stop "Stars". They are just planning or now on printing more to make up for the defective notes at the ends of each run. This will mean, the continuous runs will be no more and "Stars" will go away.

 

When bills are printed they are printed, stacked and cut by hundreds. If any of those bills are found to be defective the bill is removed, the serial number is recorded and that defective bill is destroyed. In order to keep serial numbers in groups of 100, a star note is then put in place of the defective bill.

 

When the BEP finds a note with a problem they remove the whole sheet that the error is in, not just the note.
Easier that way.

At one time the sheets were 12, 18, 24 or 32 note sizes.
I don't know what size sheets are these days.
But star notes are printed in the same sized sheets and the whole sheet is replaced.

 

I know the $1 notes are now printed 50 to a sheet.

 

I feel like a star on the walk of fame, why, cause everybody walks all over me. Just like the star dollar, used, abused, and replaced.

 

And so that means the * notes will be worth much more?????

 

Will that make them valuable?

 

Just because it has a star does not necessarily increase its value. A fancy serial number like a radar note with a star will be worth extra.

 

The rarity of the note's printing or series, makes them more valuable. I don't know the percentage, maybe someone else will chime in with more accurate numbers, but a lot of the paper money printed in the US is shipped overseas to other countries, making the available notes to collectors in the US even more rare. Some of the small series stars will put a sizable dent in your pocketbook.

Another thing that makes some star notes very collectable are error stars. Imagine the note the Bureau of Printing and Engraving used to replace a damaged or misprinted note was an error itself, even bigger dent.

 

Each to his own. I collect all stars no matter of condition. Just think of any run. How many survive in circulation? The real big guys have people in place to cherry-pick the currency. They buy so much and then charge all high prices. I do not buy them anymore. I try to cherry-pick shows because many dealers just buy stuff and do not really understand all of what they have. Study what you collect. I have collected many things and now I am too old to keep up with all of it today. Collections: coins, currency, guns, bottles, pottery, rocks, and other stuff. Now, it's just stuff, not an investment, but a pleasure to search and find. I also metal detect and search every time I go out. Today while shopping found coins in the parking lot and inside a store I found them on the floor. Always search and enjoy and have fun in collecting. Semper Fi!

 

Star notes, or replacement notes account for less than 1% of all notes printed. Common, circulated replacement notes typically don’t have much if any value over face, but low print run and key replacement notes can sell for hundreds of dollars over face value.

 

OK, Tampa. Tell me what the survival % is for any star series. Even low series have less, but what is the rate of any series?

 

OK. I randomly picked series 2013 $20 notes. Almost 8 billion notes printed with a replacement percentage of 0.34%.

 

OK , I happen to be holding in my sweaty little hand a Star note : 2013 $20.00 bill, S/N ML 00318446* . I got it in change about 2 months ago and just haven't taken it upstairs and put it away yet.
The other day on this thread @masterswimmer posted the Star note look-up link and so I did. It's a very common note. Is there anything else you can tell me about it. I know from my time here on CT that you are one of the "Go To" guys for currency.
I suspect that it's just a spender. I have lots of others in better condition.
Thanks in advance.

 

Your note is from run #1 (640K) printed in July 2014. If it’s uncirculated, it’s definitely a keeper.

My example.

 

Yours is better. Mine has 3 corner creases and a center line wallet crease but no stains, tears or holes.
Is there any way to get creases out? Ironing? Book pressure? Praying??