Star Notes: What the Star Means and How to Check
A star at the end of a U.S. serial number marks a replacement note. What it means, how to read the print run, and what does not follow from it.
At a glance
- Where the star is: At the end of the serial number, in place of the suffix letter, e.g. F03799510*
- Why it exists: Sheets found defective after numbering are replaced by star sheets with their own numbers
- What decides scarcity: The size of the print run for that series, bank and denomination
What a star note is
When a printed sheet is found defective after serial numbers have been printed, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing replaces it with a sheet from a separate star run so the numbering sequence stays complete. The star note carries its own serial number with a star where the suffix letter would be. Every denomination and series can have star notes.
How to check whether yours is scarce
BEP publishes monthly production reports listing how many star notes were printed per series, denomination and Federal Reserve Bank block. Third-party lookup sites turn those reports into a search by serial number. Collectors generally pay attention to runs of a few hundred thousand notes or fewer; a run of several million is treated as common. This page does not query print runs.
What the star does not tell you
A star does not mean the note is an error, a misprint or a special issue, and it does not prove the note is genuine. Condition still matters: a worn star note from a large run is an ordinary bill.
FAQ
Are all star notes valuable?
No. Most come from large print runs and are worth face value unless in perfect condition. Scarcity depends on the run size.
How do I find my star note's print run?
Use a star note lookup that ingests BEP production reports; you need the series, denomination and full serial number.
Can $1 bills be star notes?
Yes. Every denomination, including $1 and $2, has star notes.
Related
Sources
- https://www.bep.gov/currency/serial-numbers
- https://www.mycurrencycollection.com/reference/star-notes/lookup
Updated 2026-09-11.