8 Valuable American Bills That You Could Find in Your Wallet

When you’re trying to get ahead financially, every dollar counts. And for a few thrifty savers, every dollar can count twice – or more — if you’re lucky enough to come across one of these rare, valuable bills.

Keep reading to learn more about eight bills that will go much further if you sell them rather than spend them.

The $1,000 bill is the largest sum the US government ever put into circulation — you won’t find American tender with a higher base value.

The bill first entered circulation in 1861, and finding one from that year could net you up to $2,500 (though you could rake in a lower sum if your bill is in poor condition).

This bill was first printed by the Federal Reserve Bank in 1862, and like today’s $50 bills, it features Ulysses S. Grant’s portrait.

However, at the time of the bill’s printing, Grant was the well-known commanding general of the U.S. Army — still seven years away from becoming the 18th president. If you find one of these bills in good condition, it could go for up to twice its value at $100.

As the first bill directly intended to raise money to support the US government against the Confederacy, this 1863 note is one of a kind, so the odds of you finding one are pretty low.

But if you come across a $100 note with a large bald eagle across the front and a legal tender seal on the back at an antique shop or estate sale, don’t sleep on it. One went for over $305,000 at auction in 2013.

You aren’t likely to randomly stumble upon this extremely rare bill in daily life. In fact, only three still exist in private collections.

If you’re lucky enough to see one of these rare bills, you’ll find a design on the back that looks something like an intricate watermelon rind. Depending on the bill’s condition, it will go for quite a bit of money: in 2014, one sold for nearly $3.3 million at auction.

The Federal Reserve stopped printing $500 bills in 1945. If you’re lucky enough to find one, it could go for upwards of $2,000 — especially if you happen upon one from 1928, which was the year they were first introduced to circulation.

The bill portrays William McKinley, the 25th president, who served in office between 1897 and 1901.

Many of these $10 bills are still in circulation, but in the right condition, they can go for at least double their value — and some sell for nearly $50.

These are the details to look for: a large blue numeral 10, blue seal, and blue serial number. You’ll also see “Silver Certificate” printed across the top. Another, slightly more valuable variation of the bill has a light green seal rather than a dark blue one.

This bill from the 50s is the most widely circulated of all the rare, valuable bills on our list.

Since it’s the one you’re most likely to stumble upon, it sells for the least amount of money — you’re likely to get a couple hundred dollars depending on the bill’s condition.

In 2014 and 2016, the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing accidentally printed two batches of $1 bills with duplicate serial numbers. If you end up with one of the 6.4 million pairs of identical bills, it could sell for $150,000.

To identify a duplicate bill, look for the words “Series 2013,” then check for a B Federal Reserve Seal. Finally, look closely at the serial number, which should occur between B00000001* and B00250000* or B03200001* and B09600000*.

Picking up a part-time gig is a great way to grow your personal wealth, but it’s far from the only way to make extra money — especially if you go out of your way to search for rare bills that you can trade for hard cash.

For the most part, these bills won’t just fall into your hand, but depending on which ones you find, the quest for extra cash in the shape of the right bills can pay off.