One Dollar Bills Worth Money

Have you ever wished you could stretch a $1 bill beyond its face value? That dollar in your wallet might be worth a lot more than you think, so consider holding on to it instead of spending it – at least, not until you’ve checked it over.

From old and rare singles to those with unusual serial numbers or printing errors, you may already own one-dollar bills worth money. Here are 10 of the most valuable dollar bills and the factors that affect their value.

Quick Look: One-Dollar Bills Worth Money

10 Most Valuable $1 You Could Find in Your Wallet

You likely don’t spend a lot of time inspecting the bills in your wallet. But if you do, you might find you have some one-dollar bills worth money. The following 10 bills indicate how much collectors are willing to pay for something rare.

1. 1880 $1 United States Note, Brown

The 1880 $1 note presents a design first introduced in 1874. A portrait of George Washington sits in the center of the bill, while the scene to the left shows Christopher Columbus and his men on their exploratory voyage. U.S. Currency Auctions values the bill at $3,500 or more in uncirculated condition.

2. 1890 $1 Treasury Note, Red

These notes from 1890 are rare one-dollar bills worth money. The 1890 $1 treasury note features a portrait of Edwin M. Stanton, a U.S. attorney general and secretary of war. U.S. Currency Auctions lists an uncirculated bill’s value at $3,000 or more.

3. 1880 $1 United States Note, Red

This $1 bill differs from the other 1880 version in the color of the seal – this one is red – that sits behind the words “ONE DOLLAR” and “Washington, D.C.” on the obverse. According to U.S. Currency Auctions, this bill could be worth $2,500 or more. 

4. 1862 $1 United States Note, Red

Along with bills for $2, $5 and $100, this was one of the first bills printed under the Legal Tender Act of 1862. The rare note is valued at $2,000 or more if uncirculated, according to U.S. Currency Auctions. 

5. 1869 $1 United States Note, Red

This 1869 $1 note, which also featured the voyage of Christoper Columbus exploring for land, marked the first time George Washington appeared on the dollar bill. Under Washington’s portrait are the words “TREASURY NOTE” instead of “UNITED STATES NOTE,” which is an oddity that intrigues collectors. The uncirculated dollar bill is valued by U.S. Currency Auctions at $2,000 or more.

6. 1928E Silver Certificate, Blue

In 1928, the U.S. started printing bills in a smaller size that’s still in use today. The 1928 $1 bill came in six different versions. U.S. Currency Auctions pegs the value of an uncirculated 1928E at $1,500 or more.

7. 1874 $1 United States Note, Red

In 1874, the shape of the seal was altered, and the wording under Washington’s portrait became “UNITED STATES NOTE.” This $1 bill is worth $1,200 or more if uncirculated, according to U.S. Currency Auctions.

8. 1896 $1 Silver Certificate, Red

The silver certificate dollar bill issued in 1896 was a single-year design, unlike most other bill series. The reverse features portraits of Martha and George Washington, while the obverse depicts a woman with one arm around a boy and the other pointing toward the Washington Monument. U.S. Currency Auctions shows the uncirculated note’s value as $1,000 or more.

9. 1875 United States Note, Red

The 1875 $1 note was not updated after the design changes the year before, but it is still valuable. George Washington remained center stage, with Christopher Columbus and his explorers to the left. The note, if uncirculated, is valued at $1,000 or more, according to U.S. Currency Auctions.

10. 1878 United States Note, Red

The 1878 one-dollar bill features the same design as the 1874 note, with a portrait of George Washington and a vignette of Christopher Columbus and his crew. The reverse shows “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” written in the shape of an X. According to U.S. Currency Auctions, the 1878 $1 bill is worth $900 in uncirculated condition. 

How to Check if Your $1 Is Worth More Than Face Value

Out of the 14.9 billion $1 bills in circulation in the U.S., how can you know which ones that cross your path might be worth more than their face value? Here are the factors to check:

• Series 1862, 1869 and 1890 with red, brown, blue or yellow seals are very rare one-dollar bills worth money.
• Serial numbers near 00000001 or near 99999999 are more valuable because they are among the first and last bills in their series to be printed.
• Serial numbers that end in a star instead of a letter are more sought after.
• Printing errors, such as duplicated or mismatched serial numbers or inverted printing, can increase a bill’s value.
• A crisp, uncirculated bill is typically worth more than a worn one.

Inspect your bills for age, condition and errors. Examine the serial numbers to look for anything unusual. If you believe you have a valuable bill, consider consulting a professional appraiser.

Find One-Dollar Bills Worth Money

Now that you know what to look for, perhaps it’s changed how you view the one-dollar bill. Consider closely inspecting your singles as a potential alternative investment in collectibles. Even the 1957 silver certificate, which isn’t rare and can’t be exchanged for silver any longer, may be valued at over $7 if uncirculated. 

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