10 Signs Your $5 Bill Is Worth Way More Than $5

Like most currency options, a $5 isn’t always worth only $5.

While most $5 bills are worth their face value, the value of $5 bills can vary greatly thanks to specific bills with unique, identifiable features that are much more valuable to collectors. 

These rare finds can be challenging to spot amidst a stack of other bills but are entirely worth it once identified, as you can earn extra income by selling directly to collectors.

Here are 10 signs that your $5 bill is worth way more than it was printed for.

Check for patterns in the serial numbers of your $5 bills to identify if you can make any money from them. Bills with unique serial numbers, such as those repeating patterns like "111111," are highly sought after. Serial numbers that are solid — or have the same number across — are often worth thousands to currency collectors.

Palindrome numbers — or numbers that read the same from left to right and right to left — are often worth more than the $5 printed on them. A binary radar repeater palindrome printed in 2006 is currently selling on eBay for $110.

A low serial number — like “000001” — indicates that your $5 bill was one of the first printed in that issue of bills. Collectors will often pay more than the going $5 rate for these, even if it isn’t top dollar.

Low serial numbers from every series are worth more to collectors than higher ones. This is true for recently printed bills as well. Serial numbers below 100 — or even 1,000 — can go for $10 to $300 at minimum, depending on the condition of the note.

Due to their rarity, bills with printing errors, such as missing ink, double prints, or misaligned designs, can be worth significantly more. One 1988 bill could be worth $4,000 because of an ink print that should technically be on the reverse bottom right corner of the bill.

Misprinted notes are usually taken out of circulation and replaced with a note with a star. That is why any currently out there are incredibly rare and worth quite a bit of money. “They’re perfectly legal to own and have become an amazing part of the paper collecting hobby,” a rep from Collectors Palm Island Coins of Florida explains.

Star notes, issued as replacements for damaged bills during printing by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, are often considered more valuable. This is especially true if the bill is from an early year or is in pristine condition. You can identify a star note by looking at the serial number. A small, five-point star will be identifiable directly before or after the serial number.

A rare 2017A series star note in used condition is currently offered for $1,200 on eBay, but recent similar bills have sold for around $30.

Older series bills are already worth more than those in more recent circulation. Those printed in the 1950s and 1960s, with low or repeating serial numbers, are particularly desirable to collectors.

A 1950A $5 bill with serial number 00000087 is currently listed for $425 on eBay.

Bills that were part of special editions or commemorative releases (e.g., anniversary issues or unique designs) may carry extra value.

If your bill was printed or issued by a small bank or a location no longer exists, it may be worth more money than other issues of the same bill. This is true for all forms of currency regarding collectors’ interest.

In 1929, the First National Bank of Aransas Pass in Texas printed a $5 bill that was not put into circulation. It more recently sold for $3,360.

The 1890 Treasury Note is one of the earliest large notes and is considered incredibly rare. While 300,000 of these bills were initially printed, only 14 are known to exist today. You can identify it by the fun, almost circus-like, bold green design on the back.

Because of its age and comically large size compared to other U.S. notes, this bill sold for as much as $282,000 at auction in 2013. One is listed on eBay for $35,000, while others are priced at $8,000 and below.

Demand Notes were the first paper currency ever issued by the U.S. government. You can quickly identify them by repeating green circles with the number five on the bill's reverse side. One with “for the” printed on it went for $138,000 in 2007, and a copy of the 1861 St. Louis Demand Note was auctioned off in 2018 for $81,000.

These $5 notes were circulated during a very specific period — from August 1861 to August 1862 — as a means for the military and other United States officials to pay off government expenses for war. Soldiers were reimbursed for their time and efforts with these bills, essentially “IOUs” — or checks — that could get you paid in gold at Treasury facilities.

In 1934, the United States Treasury seal was moved to the right of the $5 silver certificates. This is the same year they were resized to a note similar to existing $1 and $10 bills.

If you have a 1934 A Hawaii $5 brown seal dollar bill, it could be worth up to $6,000. A 1934 A North Africa version with a yellow seal could go for $1,850.

While current $5 bills in print have light purple and gray backgrounds with an embedded security thread, they haven’t always been identifiable that way. You might not know the difference between valuable bills and misprints, but a quick online search will help you identify notes that could be worth more.

While it isn’t common, stumbling upon one of these options could help you pay for your rent.