Expert: Brad Swain - 12/4/2009

Question
HELLO I HAVE 2 FIVES BOTH R 1963 AND RED PRINT.

1 IS A16586565A AND 1 HAS A STAR THEN 02826186A BOTH

ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE ONE WITH THE STAR HAS A FS AND F2 AND THE OTHER HAS F6 AND F4 ON IT. ARE THEY WORTH ANY THING?  

Answer
Hi Eva, Collector value of a note depends on date, series letter or signature and condition, including amount of wear, any folds, tears or stains as well as collector demand. There have been so many made of these that only the uncirculated ones (no wear) have any significant value above face value. With wear the first may be worth about $5-$9 or $15 without wear (uncirculated). With a star it may be worth $2-$5 more depending on amount of wear and collector demand.
Star note definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_note
When notes are discovered that have been printed incorrectly (such as having the serial numbers upside down, etc.) these misprinted notes (error notes) are replaced with star notes because no two bills can be produced with the same serial number.
U.S. small size paper money values:
http://coinsite.com/html/uspapermoneyprices(sm).asp
and
http://www.bestcoin.com/U-S-Currency-FAQ-Values.htm
Brad