💵 Paper Money
Silver certificates, star notes and graded banknotes.
Photo: Unknown author / Public domain
Collecting paper money: which old bills are worth more
Paper money collecting covers US large-size and small-size notes, silver certificates, red seal and gold seal notes, star notes, error notes and banknotes from around the world. It’s an approachable hobby because many interesting notes cost little more than face value, while true rarities can be among the most prized items in all of collecting.
What makes a bill worth money? Series and type matter, but condition and serial numbers often matter more. Crisp uncirculated notes with no folds, stains or tears command strong premiums, while heavily circulated examples of common notes are usually worth close to face. Star notes, which replace misprinted sheets, and fancy serial numbers such as low numbers, solids or ladders can add real value. Watch out for pressed or washed notes that have been “improved” to look crisper, and for reproductions, which are especially common with Confederate currency. Knowing how to tell if old money is real starts with feel, printing detail and paper.
When buying online, compare the exact series, signature combination and grade with recent sold results, and look for clear, full-front and full-back photos. For notes of meaningful value, third-party grading from PMG or PCGS Banknote gives you an independent opinion on condition and authenticity. Our guides below cover valuable dollar bills, $2 bills, error notes and Confederate reproductions, and you can compare what you learn against live listings from eBay right on this page.
Paper Money guides
The story behind it
Paper Money: common questions
Are silver certificates worth anything?+
Most common silver certificates, especially circulated 1957 and 1935 series one-dollar notes, sell for a modest premium over face value. Higher values come from uncirculated condition, star notes, scarcer series and older large-size notes. They can no longer be redeemed for silver, so their value is entirely collector demand. Check sold listings for your exact series and condition before selling.
How do I know if my $2 bill is valuable?+
Most $2 bills, including the many printed since 1976, are worth face value unless they are uncirculated or have something special. Look for older series with red seals, star notes, low or unusual serial numbers, and printing errors. Condition makes a big difference, so a crisp, unfolded note is worth far more than a worn one of the same series.
How can you tell if Confederate money is real?+
Reproductions vastly outnumber genuine notes. Many copies are printed on thick, uniform modern paper, sometimes with a brownish “aged” tint, and some are marked “facsimile” somewhere on the note. Genuine notes were printed on thinner paper with period printing methods and often show handwritten signatures and serial numbers. If a note seems too perfect or too cheap, have it examined or buy graded.