$1 Bill: In the world of collecting, sometimes it’s not about rarity by age — it’s about rarity by accident. That was the case with one astonishing $1 bill that turned an ordinary homeowner into $200,000 richer — all because of a tiny printing error. Even more exciting? This rare bill could still be out there, hiding in plain sight.
The Power of a Mistake
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints billions of notes each year, most of them perfectly uniform. But occasionally, a mistake slips through — and when it does, collectors pay attention.
One such error happened with a batch of Series 2013 $1 bills printed at two different facilities: Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas. These bills had the same serial numbers and same series, but were printed in different locations — a duplication that should never occur.
These “duplicate serial number bills” are nearly identical at first glance, but telltale signs in their markings give them away. This unintentional mistake has created one of the most sought-after modern U.S. currency collectibles — and some pairs of these error notes have sold for as much as $200,000.
The $200,000 Discovery
One homeowner who had been casually researching rare currency realized they had one of these mismatched duplicate serial bills tucked in a stack of old cash. Upon confirming it matched a known duplicate from the Fort Worth facility, and it had the correct serial number and plate markings, they paired it with its “twin” (previously found by another collector), and the matched pair was sold for a jaw-dropping $200,000 in a private sale. That’s a life-changing return on a single dollar.
How to Spot This Rare $1 Bill
If you’re holding a Series 2013 $1 bill, here’s what to look for:
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Serial number: Must match one from the known list of duplicate bills
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Series year: 2013
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Federal Reserve Bank identifier: Typically “B” for New York
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Facility mark: Bills from Washington, D.C. have no “FW” mark, while those from Fort Worth do
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Plate position and printing details: Collectors use plate position codes to distinguish print locations
The key is finding two bills with the exact same serial number but printed at different facilities. If you find one half of the pair, collectors might pay thousands — but a full matched pair can bring in six figures.
Still in Circulation?
Yes — many of these error bills are still in circulation today. The mistake wasn’t immediately caught, and hundreds of thousands of them were printed before being flagged. That means your next trip to the grocery store or ATM could accidentally put a small fortune in your hands.
What to Do If You Think You Have One
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Check the serial number and “FW” mark on the front of the bill.
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Compare it against known duplicate lists (posted on collector websites).
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Keep it safe and avoid folding or damaging it.
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Have it professionally appraised or graded by currency experts like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty).
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to overlook the cash in your wallet as just another part of daily life. But stories like the $1 bill that brought in $200,000 remind us that hidden treasures may be closer than we think — perhaps even in your own pocket.
So next time you get change, take a closer look. That plain $1 bill might just be a collector’s dream in disguise.
FAQs One Tiny Printing Error $1 Bill Made a Homeowner $200,000
What makes this $1 bill worth $200,000?
A rare printing error created duplicate $1 bills with the same serial number printed at two different facilities, making them highly valuable to collectors.
How can I tell if I have one of these error bills?
Check for a Series 2013 $1 bill with a matching serial number on a known list, and look for the “FW” mark (or lack of it) to identify its printing facility.
Are these rare $1 bills still in circulation?
Yes, many error bills are still unaccounted for and could be hiding in wallets, registers, or bank drawers today.