Low Serial Number Value
A low serial number is one with a long string of leading zeros, meaning the note came off the very start of a print run. 00000001 is the first note printed in its run and is a genuine trophy; 00000042 is still a strong collectible.
The market breaks roughly into tiers: under 10, under 100, under 1000, and under 10000. Each step down the ladder multiplies the premium, and the number one note in any run is in a category of its own.
Quick facts
- Definition
- Serial with multiple leading zeros
- Top tier
- 00000001, the first note of a run
- Strong tier
- Any serial under 100
- Entry tier
- Serial under 10000
- Why they survive
- Often pulled at the Bureau and never circulated
Low Serial Numbers value by condition
| Condition | Estimated value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 00000001 | $1,000 to $15,000+ | Denomination and series dependent |
| Serial 2 to 10 | $400 to $3,000 | |
| Serial under 100 | $150 to $900 | |
| Serial under 1000 | $50 to $300 | |
| Serial under 10000 | $15 to $80 | |
| Low serial star note | $300 to $5,000+ |
Scan any banknote with Money Scanner
Point your camera at a bill and get the series, type, rarity, and an estimated value range in seconds. No typing, no guessing at the series letter.
- Reads the series, seal type, and signatures from a photo
- Flags star notes and collectible serial number patterns
- Estimates a value range by condition
- Works on US and world banknotes
Why low serials are rarely worn
Notes at the very start of a run are frequently pulled at the Bureau or by collectors with access at the bank level, and set aside rather than spent. That means most surviving low serials are uncirculated, which is fortunate, because condition matters enormously at these prices.
It also means a genuinely circulated low serial is unusual. If you find one in change, it has an interesting history behind it.
High serials are collectible too
The other end of the run has its own following. 99999999 is the last note of a run and 99999999 style high serials draw bids, though not at the level of the matching low serials.
The general principle holds: notes from the extreme ends of a run are scarcer than notes from the middle, and the market pays for that.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a bill with serial number 00000001 worth?
Anywhere from a thousand dollars to five figures depending on denomination, series, and condition. It is the first note of its print run and one of the most sought-after items in the hobby.
Do the leading zeros count as part of the number?
Yes. Every US serial number is exactly eight digits, padded with leading zeros. Those zeros are what make the pattern visible.
Is a serial number under 10000 worth anything?
A modest amount, typically $15 to $80. The premium grows sharply as you drop below 1000 and again below 100.