Check your wallet. Seriously. If you’ve got a crisp single sitting in there, or maybe a crinkled one you found in a pair of jeans, look at the serial number. Most people think a dollar is just a dollar, but for the 2013 B series dollar bill, that’s not always the case. There is a massive, million-dollar blunder hiding in plain sight within this specific run of currency. It’s the kind of thing that makes numismatists—coin and paper money collectors—lose their absolute minds.
Basically, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) messed up. Big time.
They accidentally printed the same serial numbers twice. Now, usually, every single bill printed by the U.S. government is supposed to be unique. That’s the whole point of a serial number, right? But between the Washington D.C. facility and the Fort Worth facility, a "glitch" in the matrix happened. This resulted in what collectors call "Duplicate Serial Number" notes, or more simply, "The 2013 B Series Mismatch." Finding a matching pair is like winning a mini-lottery.
Why the 2013 B series dollar bill is a collector's obsession
The 2013 B series refers specifically to Federal Reserve Notes from the New York district. You can identify these by the "B" inside the Federal Reserve seal on the left side of the bill. It also starts the serial number. This isn't just about any old 2013 bill; it’s specifically about the "Star Notes."
Star notes are replacements. When the BEP ruins a sheet of bills during the printing process—maybe the ink smudged or the paper wrinkled—they can't just print that same serial number again on a new sheet. Instead, they swap in a "Star Note," which features a little ★ symbol at the end of the serial number.
In 2014, the Washington D.C. plant printed a run of these star notes. Then, in 2016, the Fort Worth plant accidentally printed the exact same range of serial numbers. We’re talking about 6.4 million pairs of identical twins floating around the economy. Honestly, the odds of finding one are slim, but the odds of finding the matching twin? That's the holy grail.
Breaking down the serial number ranges
You can’t just find any B series bill and expect a payday. The error occurred within a very specific window. Specifically, you want to look for serial numbers that fall within the range of **B 00000001 * through B 06400000 ***.
If your bill has a serial number higher than 6.4 million, it’s just a regular star note. Still cool? Yeah. Worth a fortune? Not really. But if it falls in that low-number range, you’re holding half of a potential jackpot.
Collectors have been hunting these for years. There’s actually a massive community-driven database called Project 2013B where people log their serial numbers. The goal is to reunite the long-lost twins. If you find a single bill from this range, it might be worth $20 to $50. If you find the matching pair—the one from D.C. and the one from Fort Worth with the same number—you’re looking at thousands of dollars. Some pairs have sold for over $7,000 at auction.
How to spot the difference between the two prints
Since the serial numbers are identical, you might wonder how you even tell them apart. It's all in the tiny details.
Look at the face of the bill. On the bottom right, near the "1," there’s a small letter and number combo. This is the plate position. Next to it, there’s a tiny "FW" if it was printed in Fort Worth, Texas. If there is no "FW," it was printed in Washington D.C.
It’s a subtle distinction.
Most people spend these bills on a pack of gum without a second thought. But the numismatic market thrives on these tiny, technical failures. The 2013 B series dollar bill represents one of the most significant clerical errors in the history of modern U.S. currency. It wasn't just a few sheets; it was millions of notes.
The market value of "Star Notes" vs. "Normal Notes"
Value is a fickle thing in the coin world. A standard, circulated 2013 B series dollar bill is usually just worth a buck. Maybe if it's in "uncirculated" (perfect, crisp, never-touched) condition, a collector might give you $2 or $3.
Star notes are different.
Even a common star note usually carries a premium of $5 to $10. But the 2013 B duplicates are the heavy hitters. Because the BEP admitted to the mistake, it’s an "official" error. Collectors love official errors because they are documented. It’s not just a fake or a prank; it’s a government-sanctioned fluke.
- Single Star Note (2013 B, Low Serial): $15–$50
- Consecutive Star Notes: $100+
- The "Twin" Match: $2,500–$10,000 (depending on condition)
Condition is everything. If the bill has a "center fold" from being in a wallet, the value drops. If it has a "ink stain" or a "pinhole," it’s barely worth the premium. But if it’s "Choice Uncirculated 64" or higher on the grading scale? That’s where the real money is.
Why did the Bureau of Engraving and Printing fail?
Human error. Or rather, a failure in communication between two massive facilities.
The BEP operates like a well-oiled machine, but even machines have bad days. When the order came in to replace damaged sheets, the request was sent to both plants. Neither plant checked to see if the other was already fulfilling that specific serial range. It was a classic "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" situation.
By the time they realized the mistake, the bills were already bagged, tagged, and shipped to Federal Reserve banks across the country. There was no way to recall them. They were already in the wild.
What to do if you find one
Don't just run to eBay.
First, you need to protect the bill. Put it in a PVC-free plastic sleeve. Do not fold it. Do not iron it (yes, people actually try to iron bills to make them look "crisp," and it ruins the paper fibers).
Second, check the Project 2013B website. You can input your serial number and see if anyone else has registered the "twin" to your bill. There are enthusiasts who spend their entire weekends scanning serial numbers at bank branches just to find these.
Third, consider getting it graded. Companies like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) or PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) will look at the bill under a microscope. They’ll verify its authenticity and give it a numeric grade. A graded bill is much easier to sell for a high price because the buyer knows exactly what they are getting.
Misconceptions about the 2013 Series
A lot of people think all 2013 dollars are worth money. They aren't.
Some folks get confused by the series year versus the printing year. The "Series 2013" doesn't actually mean it was printed in 2013. It refers to when the design was approved or when a new Secretary of the Treasury took office. These specific "B" error notes were actually printed between 2014 and 2016.
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Also, beware of people selling "rare" 2013 bills that aren't star notes. Unless it has a "fancy serial number" (like 12345678 or 88888888), it’s probably just a dollar. The 2013 B series dollar bill specifically earns its fame from that star-star duplicate error.
Actionable steps for the casual collector
If you want to get serious about hunting these, you don't need a degree in finance. You just need patience and a little bit of cash.
- Go to your bank: Ask for a "strap" of $1 bills ($100 total).
- Filter by Series: Look for the 2013 Series first.
- Check the Seal: Look for the "B" (New York).
- Find the Star: Look at the end of the serial number.
- Check the Range: Is the number between 00000001 and 06400000?
- Record and Compare: Use the online databases to see if your bill's twin has been found.
It’s a needle in a haystack, sure. But that needle is worth a few thousand percent more than its face value. Even if you don't find a matching pair, finding a low-run star note is a great way to start a collection that actually has some meat on its bones.
The story of the 2013 B series dollar bill is a reminder that even the most powerful financial institutions in the world make mistakes. And sometimes, those mistakes end up in the pockets of ordinary people. Keep your eyes open. That crumpled single you're about to put into a vending machine might actually be the missing piece of a very expensive puzzle.
Next Steps for Potential Finds:
- Verify the serial number against the known error range (B00000001* to B06400000*).
- Check the facility mark (FW or no FW) to determine which half of the pair you own.
- Log the note on public tracking forums to increase the chances of finding a match.
- Store the bill in a rigid, currency-safe holder to prevent environmental damage.
- Consult a professional numismatist if the bill appears to be in Gem Uncirculated condition.