Rare $1 Bill Printing Error in the U.S. Could Be Worth $200,000 – Check If You Have One

A regular $1 bill in your wallet could be a hidden treasure worth up to $200,000 due to a rare printing mistake. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing goofed up in 2014 and 2016, creating millions of $1 bills with duplicate serial numbers. These errors are super rare, and collectors are willing to pay big bucks for them. If you’ve got cash lying around, now’s the time to check it. This article will tell you exactly what to look for and how to cash in.

What’s the Big Deal?

In 2014, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C., printed a batch of $1 bills. Two years later, in 2016, the same order was accidentally sent to their Fort Worth, Texas, facility. This mix-up led to about 6.4 million $1 bills with identical serial numbers being released into circulation. Normally, every bill has a unique serial number, so this mistake is a big deal. Collectors love these errors because they’re so uncommon, and a matched pair of these bills can fetch between $20,000 and $200,000, depending on their condition.

How to Spot the Rare Bill

You don’t need to be a currency expert to find one of these valuable $1 bills. Here’s what to check for on your dollar bills:

• The series date, located to the right of George Washington’s portrait, must say “Series 2013.”
• Look for a “B” Federal Reserve Seal above the serial number.
• The serial number should end with a star (★) and fall within these ranges: B00000001★ to B00250000★ or B03200001★ to B09600000★.
• The bill from Fort Worth will have an “FW” mark near the serial number, while the Washington, D.C., bill won’t.

If your bill matches these details, you might have a winner. A single bill is valuable, but a matched pair with the same serial number from both facilities is worth much more.

Why Are These Bills So Valuable?

Currency mistakes are rare because the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has strict quality checks. When errors like duplicate serial numbers slip through, they become collector’s gold. Only nine matched pairs have been found so far, which makes them incredibly scarce. One pair reportedly sold for $200,000 in a private sale, and another went for $120,000 at auction. Even single bills can sell for thousands if they’re in good shape. The rarity and the thrill of the hunt drive up their value.

Where Could These Bills Be?

Since these bills were printed in 2014 and 2016, they’ve been circulating for years and could be anywhere—your wallet, a cash register, or even a piggy bank. With 6.4 million error bills out there, your chances of finding one aren’t zero. Collectors are scouring the world for these bills, and some use online databases like Project 2013B, which tracks over 36,000 serial numbers, to find matches. You could also check eBay, where single bills are sometimes sold for small amounts, waiting for their match.

What to Do If You Find One

If you think you’ve got one of these rare bills, don’t spend it! Keep it safe in a plastic sleeve to avoid damage. Contact a professional grading service like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) or PCGS to verify its authenticity. Grading can boost its value, especially if it’s in great condition. You can also check online collector forums or eBay to see if your bill’s serial number matches a known duplicate. If you find a matching pair, you could be looking at a huge payday.

Don’t Spend That Dollar Just Yet

Next time you get change at the store or dig through your cash, take a second to check your $1 bills. That crumpled dollar could be worth a fortune. Stories like the homeowner who turned a single bill into $200,000 show that these treasures are hiding in plain sight. So, grab your wallet, look for those key details, and you might just find a life-changing piece of paper. Happy hunting!