Star Note Value Chart
How much a star note is worth comes down to its print-run size and condition. This chart shows estimated circulated values by denomination and rarity tier — then look up your exact note with the star note lookup.
Star note values by denomination and run size
| Your note | Common | Scarce | Rare | Very Rare | Extremely Rare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 bill | $3–$7 | $4–$10 | $7–$19 | $11–$30 | $25–$70 |
| $2 bill | $5–$10 | $6–$14 | $10–$25 | $15–$40 | $35–$95 |
| $5 bill | $7–$12 | $9–$16 | $12–$25 | $17–$40 | $35–$90 |
| $10 bill | $13–$20 | $15–$25 | $20–$40 | $25–$60 | $50–$120 |
| $20 bill | $25–$30 | $25–$35 | $30–$50 | $40–$75 | $65–$145 |
| $50 bill | $55–$65 | $60–$75 | $65–$95 | $75–$130 | $115–$230 |
| $100 bill | $105–$120 | $110–$130 | $120–$160 | $130–$195 | $180–$325 |
Find your bill’s denomination down the left, then read across to its rarity (use the lookup tool to find the rarity). “Common” is a full 3.2-million run; rarer columns are smaller runs. Circulated estimates — crisp uncirculated notes run higher. Calibrated from recent eBay-sold prices; a starting point, not an appraisal.
What the rarity tiers mean
- Extremely Rare — run ≤ 160,000 notes
- Very Rare — ≤ 320,000
- Rare — ≤ 640,000 (the classic premium cutoff)
- Scarce — ≤ 1,920,000
- Common — full ~3,200,000 run
A full print run is 3.2 million notes (100,000 sheets of 32). When the BEP only needs a partial run, far fewer enter circulation — and a run of 160,000 is twenty times scarcer than a full one. That scarcity is what collectors pay for, and the premium climbs steeply once a run drops below 640,000.
What makes one star note worth more than another
Four things move a star note’s value, roughly in this order:
- Run size — the single biggest factor, shown in the chart above.
- Condition — a crisp, uncirculated note can be worth 2–5× a folded, circulated one. Tears, stains and teller marks cut value sharply.
- Fancy serial number — a solid, ladder, radar, repeater or low serial can add anywhere from a few dollars to thousands, stacking on top of the run-size premium.
- Series & age — older series (especially pre-1981) and certain districts are scarcer, nudging value up.
How to value your star note, step by step
- Find the run size. Enter your denomination, series and serial number in the star note lookup — it returns the exact run and rarity tier.
- Match it to the chart. Read across your denomination row to that rarity column for a ballpark.
- Adjust for condition. Uncirculated? Aim near the top of the range; well-worn? near the bottom.
- Check the serial. Run it through the fancy serial checker for any bonus.
- Confirm with sold comps. Search completed eBay listings for the same note before you buy or sell.
Why most star notes are only worth face value
It’s worth setting expectations: the large majority of modern star notes come from full 3.2-million runs and, once circulated, are worth little more than their face value. Viral posts claiming any star note is “worth thousands” are almost always about asking prices, not real sales. The genuine premiums live in the small runs, crisp condition, and fancy serials above — which is exactly what this chart and the lookup tool help you identify.
How these values are calculated
Ranges come from a model calibrated on recent eBay sold prices, keyed to run-size tier, denomination and condition. They reflect market (sold) prices — selling your own note nets less after fees (roughly 85% on eBay, about half to a dealer). See how this tool works for the full methodology and data sources.