You can generally use any U.S. Federal Reserve note, even very old ones (like those from 1914), as they remain legal tender, but older designs (pre-1990s) might be rejected by some businesses unfamiliar with them; banks will exchange them, though some high-denomination bills (like $500, $1000+) are mostly with collectors now, while Australia's old notes also remain legal but acceptance varies.
It is U.S. government policy that all designs of Federal Reserve notes remain legal tender, or legally valid for payments, regardless of when they were issued. This policy includes all denominations of Federal Reserve notes, from 1914 to present as per 31 U.S.C. § 5103.
Printing Errors
Errors on currency—such as misaligned printing, inverted seals, or double serial numbers—are rare and highly collectible. Some 1976 $2 bills exhibit minor printing anomalies, making them coveted among advanced collectors.
A specific type of misprinted $1 bill from the 2013 Series, particularly in matching pairs, can be worth up to $150,000 to collectors, due to an error where millions were printed with duplicate serial numbers. To identify one, check for a "Series 2013" date near George Washington's photo, a "B" Federal Reserve seal, and a serial number ending in a star (★) within specific ranges (e.g., B00000001★ - B00250000★).
“A serial number '1′ for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more,” Dustin Johnston, vice president of Heritage Auctions, told MarketWatch. Other high-value serial numbers include so-called “ladder” or “solid” numbers. Solid serial numbers are codes that have the same digit, such as 88888888888.
For example, an Almost Uncirculated 1973 one-dollar note with the right serial number could be worth $250. You may want to store your bills in some sort of plastic sleeve or binder to prevent further damage that could affect their value.
Though a gold three-dollar coin was produced in the 1800s, and the Bahamian dollar (which is pegged to the US dollar) has a $3 banknote, no three-dollar bill has ever been produced in the United States.
Most $2 bills are worth only their face value, but some can be worth much more if they are old, in excellent condition, have printing errors, are uncirculated or feature a rare serial number.
The U.S. government has never issued a $1 million note. There are, however, “Platinum Certificates” or "One Million Dollar Special Issue Notes.” These notes are non-negotiable and are not considered legal tender.
1995 $2 Star Note
Star notes are replacement bills and are always of interest to collectors, with the 1995 series being relatively scarce. Though most will be worth just $2, the USCA lists a value of $500 on certain uncirculated $2 bills from 1995.
The design of the $100 note has changed with the times – and now includes distinctive security features that are incorporated into this beautifully designed 24K gold note. Styled after a modern $100 US bank note (although not legal tender), the America is made 1 gram of pure 99.9% proof quality gold.
If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll, fold, laminate, tape, glue or in any other way alter the currency in an attempt to preserve it. If the currency was in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out. If coin or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it.
The new bill, called the "Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2025," calls for the Treasury secretary to include the abolitionist's face on all $20 bills printed after Dec. 31, 2030, according to a draft of the bill obtained by NPR.
Most bill acceptors found in vending machines, self checkout lanes, transit systems, ATM's and other automated kiosks are configured to accommodate two-dollar bills, even if the fact is not stated on the device.
A specific type of misprinted $1 bill from the 2013 Series, particularly in matching pairs, can be worth up to $150,000 to collectors, due to an error where millions were printed with duplicate serial numbers. To identify one, check for a "Series 2013" date near George Washington's photo, a "B" Federal Reserve seal, and a serial number ending in a star (★) within specific ranges (e.g., B00000001★ - B00250000★).
Still, for some, the $2 bill is a symbol of luck or tradition. “My mom always keeps a spare $2 bill in her wallet for good luck, and she says she'll never use it,” said Olivia Kim in an interview with The Science Survey. So next time you go to the bank, try asking for a $2 bill.
The $100,000 bill is the highest denomination ever issued by the U.S. Federal Government. Printed in 1934, it was not intended for general use, but instead was used as an accounting device between branches of the Federal Reserve. It is illegal for a private individual to own this banknote.
No, Australia does not currently issue a $500 banknote; the highest denomination in circulation is the $100 note, with the standard notes being $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. While older, high-value paper notes (like $1000) were once in circulation, they are no longer issued, and the Reserve Bank of Australia focuses on the current range of polymer notes.
Top 5 Most Valuable US Banknotes
A 20-dollar bill is always worth at least $20, so all of them are valuable. Still, some are worth way more. A large note from before 1914 is usually worth at least $300 and can be worth several thousand in good condition.
Rare Printing Error: 2014–2016 Bills
Often regarded as the holy grail of Canadian coins, the 1911 Canadian silver dollar is one of the rarest and most valuable coins ever recorded. There are only two known 1911 silver dollars in existence, and one of which is housed at the Canadian currency museum in Ottawa.