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Your Old $1 Bill Could Be Worth Thousands (Here's What To Look For)

A particular $1 bill printing oddity could be worth up to $150k.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated March 18, 2026

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Coin collecting is often seen as a hobby that can double as an easy payday if you happen to be open to peddling some of your best pieces. But it turns out, reselling certain dollar bills could be a simple way to put extra cash in your pocket as well.

Plus, while some of the most valuable $1 bills get their worth because they are so rare, there are a few that you very well may have lying around in an old wallet.

The nine $1 bills featured below could be worth serious cash to collectors. Here's how to identify each.

Editor's note: Market values were sourced from eBay unless otherwise noted.

1862 first $1 bill

Estimated market value: $1,050

The first $1 bill was printed back in 1862 and featured a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln's Treasury Secretary, Salmon Chase. The familiar George Washington portrait would not appear on the dollar until years later.

A 1862 dollar in decent condition could easily sell for more than $500, and they have been known to sell for over $1,000 with professional "fine" gradings.

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1869 'rainbow' $1 note

Estimated market value: $600

George Washington made his debut on a $1 note in 1869, and for that reason, and several others, collectors are often willing to shell out the big bucks for these rare finds. The bills also feature an image of Christopher Columbus on the front.

They are often described as "rainbow" on the resale market due to their coloring, and they can easily net sellers a few hundred dollars in decent condition. They've been known to sell for thousands as well.

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1874 Washington $1 note

Estimated market value: $850

Additional changes were added to the $1 note in 1874, and while Washington and Columbus are still featured on the front, the coloring and placement of various features were tweaked slightly.

A professionally graded note from 1874 in "very fine" condition is currently attracting plenty of attention with a starting price of nearly $850 on eBay.

1875 $1 national bank note

Estimated market value: $995

Because not many $1 national bank notes were issued with the date 1875, these bills can be extremely valuable. How much you can earn depends on the condition, as well as which bank issued the note. Yet even in lesser conditions, these notes can be worth some serious cash.

One version from the First National Bank with a very fine grade is currently attracting much attention on eBay with an asking price beginning at nearly $1,000.

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1890 Stanton $1 note

Estimated market value: $550

Treasury notes from 1890, featuring Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, can be worth big bucks to collectors. The notes feature Stanton's portrait on the front and bold green coloring on the reverse. There are several versions with slight variations in features like the seal.

Though well-preserved or uncirculated versions have been known to sell for more, even bills with a little wear and tear can go for more than $500.

1917 'sawhorse' $1 note

Estimated market value: $300

Like the notes from the late 19th century, those printed in 1917 also feature George Washington's portrait and a vignette of Christopher Columbus. On the reverse, the words "United States of America" are featured in a large X, which is known as the "sawhorse" design.

It's reportedly the last $1 note to feature the sawhorse. On the resale market, these notes can sell for a few hundred dollars even in lesser condition.

1923 Washington $1 bill

Estimated market value: $1,100

In 1923, the $1 bill was revamped with the U.S. seal moved and Washington's portrait repositioned, giving it a much more familiar appearance to dollars you might see today.

There are a few features on some of these bills that make them more valuable, including a star at the start of the serial numbers. These bills in decent condition can garner at least a few hundred dollars on the resale market, and those with higher professional grades can sell for well over $1,000.

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1928 'funny back' $1 bill

Estimated market value: $250

In 1928, just before the start of the Great Depression, the size of the $1 bill was reduced to the one still used today. These bills are sometimes referred to as "funny back" due to the stark differences in coloring on the front and back, and you might find them with blue or red seals.

Bills in good condition could be worth well over $200 to the right collector.

2014 and 2016 printing error pairs

Estimated market value: $20,000 to $150,000

Perhaps the most valuable dollars you might find are a bit of a doozy, as the real value lies in finding two bills with matching serial numbers, according to Wealthy Nickel.

In both 2014 and 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing reportedly sent the same request to two different printing facilities. As a result, dollars were printed with duplicate serial numbers.

To identify the dollars, look for serial numbers that end with a star and fall between B00000001* and B00250000* or B03200001 and B09600000*. The pairs that are known to exist are estimated to be worth between $20k and $150k.

Bottom line

Looking through your stash of $1 bills may not seem like an activity that could end up improving your financial fitness, but some with unique histories or rare printing errors could be worth a few hundred dollars (at least). For those new to selling collectables, it may be worth it to have your bills evaluated by a professional grading service to see how much value you truly have on your hands.

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