Rare 2013 $100 Bills Worth Thousands – Check If You Have One

Imagine taking out a $100 Bills from your wallet to pay for something simple like groceries. Now imagine that bill being worth hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of just $100.

That is exactly what has happened with some 2013 series $100 bills. A rare printing error has turned them into hidden treasures for collectors, and many people don’t even know they might have one.

Why 2013 $100 Bills Are So Valuable

In 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing made a mistake while producing new $100 bills. Instead of giving each bill a unique serial number (like a fingerprint), some bills ended up with duplicate serial numbers.

Because duplicates are not supposed to exist, they became extremely rare. Collectors love rarity, and that’s why these bills are worth so much. In fact, in 2024, one of these special notes sold for a record-breaking $456,000 at auction.

What Are Star Notes?

The first step to knowing if your bill is rare is checking whether it is a star note.

• A star note has a small star symbol at the end of its serial number.
• They are used as replacements when a bill gets damaged during printing.
• In 2013, some star notes were printed twice with the same serial numbers.

This mistake created the famous 2013 Star Note Error, which is one of the most valuable modern banknote errors in U.S. history.

Duplicate Serial Numbers: The Error Explained

The Federal Reserve printed two sets of star notes in 2013. Unfortunately, both sets used the same serial number ranges. This created about 6.4 million duplicate bills, which were mainly issued through:

• New York (L Series)
• San Francisco (B Series)

These are the serial number ranges you should look for:

District	Serial Number Range
New York (L)	L00000001* – L03200000*
San Francisco (B)	B00000001* – B03200000*

If your bill has a star and its serial number falls into these ranges, it could be worth from $500 to over $15,000, depending on condition.

Other Things That Increase Value

While duplicate star notes are the most valuable, other features can also boost a bill’s price:

• Printing errors – smudged ink, misaligned ribbons, or crooked seals.
• Condition – uncirculated bills (never folded or used) are worth much more than worn bills.
• Security flaws – mistakes in the blue 3D ribbon or color-changing bell design.

Even a slightly used error bill could be worth $500, while a flawless one could sell for thousands.

Why Collectors Want These Bills

Collecting rare currency, also known as notaphily, has become a popular hobby worldwide. The 2013 $100 bills are especially exciting because:

• They are still in circulation, meaning anyone could find one.
• They have a unique backstory of a printing error, making them part of U.S. history.
• Many people don’t check their bills closely, so these rare notes could be sitting unnoticed in wallets, registers, or savings envelopes.

How to Check and Sell a Rare 2013 $100 Bill

If you want to know whether your $100 bill is valuable, follow these steps:

1. Check the serial number – Look for a star and compare it with the ranges above.
2. Protect the bill – Keep it flat in a protective sleeve. Don’t fold or spend it.
3. Get it graded – Professional services like PCGS or PMG can confirm its authenticity and grade.
4. Sell carefully – While you can sell online, high-value bills are best sold through auction houses to ensure safety and the best price.

Collectors are constantly hunting for these error notes. In fact, over 1,200 new finds were reported just last year.

The 2013 $100 bill is proof that money can be worth more than its printed value. Thanks to star notes, duplicate serial numbers, and printing mistakes, what looks like an ordinary bill might actually be worth thousands.

The next time you hold a $100 bill, check carefully—you could be holding a piece of history and a small fortune at the same time. Don’t let it slip away unnoticed.

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