Series 2013 $1 bills are standard U.S. Federal Reserve Notes, but specific "star notes" from the New York (B) Federal Reserve District are highly valuable due to a historic printing error. In 2026, these duplicate serial number pairs remain one of the most significant modern rarities in the numismatic world.
Understanding the Series 2013 $1 Bill
The Series 2013 $1 bill represents a standard production run of United States currency, featuring the portraits and engravings that have remained largely unchanged since the mid-20th century. However, to a collector, the "Series" year does not indicate the year of printing, but rather the year the design was authorized or when a new Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States took office.
For the Series 2013, the notes bear the signatures of Rosie Rios, the Treasurer of the United States, and Jacob J. Lew, the Secretary of the Treasury. These bills were produced in massive quantities across all twelve Federal Reserve Districts. Under normal circumstances, a $1 bill from 2013 is worth exactly its face value. However, a massive administrative oversight at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) transformed millions of these notes into "error" notes that are now the subject of intense collector interest in 2026.
The error specifically involves "star notes"—replacement bills issued when a regular sheet is damaged during production. These are identified by a small star symbol (*) at the end of the serial number. For the New York Federal Reserve District (indicated by the letter B), the BEP accidentally printed two identical runs of star notes with the exact same serial numbers at two different facilities.
The Great Duplicate Serial Number Error (Project 2013B)
The 2013 $1 bill error is unique in the history of modern U.S. currency. Typically, every Federal Reserve Note has a unique serial number that acts as a fingerprint. In this instance, the BEP facility in Washington, D.C., and the facility in Fort Worth, Texas, both printed the same ranges of star notes for the New York (B) district.
Why the Error Occurred
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing operates two main facilities to meet the demand for U.S. currency. The Washington, D.C. (DC) facility and the Fort Worth (FW) facility usually coordinate serial number ranges to ensure no overlap. In 2014 and 2016, a failure in record-keeping led both facilities to print the same sequence of serial numbers for the Series 2013 New York star notes.
Because these notes were released into general circulation years apart, they were spread across the country before the numismatic community realized the mistake. This has led to a nationwide "treasure hunt" where collectors attempt to find the "matching pair"—two bills with the exact same serial number, one printed in DC and one printed in FW.
How to Identify the Printing Facility
To determine if you have a potential match, you must be able to tell where the bill was printed.
- Fort Worth (FW): Look at the front of the bill in the bottom right corner, near the "1" and the Secretary's signature. If you see a small "fw" printed before the plate position letter and number (e.g., fw G 142), it was printed in Fort Worth.
- Washington, D.C. (DC): If there is no "fw" mark before the plate position letter, the bill was printed at the Washington, D.C. facility.
Identifying the Affected Serial Number Ranges
Not every 2013 $1 bill is a duplicate. The error is restricted specifically to the New York Federal Reserve District star notes. A star note is a replacement note used when a sheet is found to be defective; the star replaces the suffix letter at the end of the serial number.
The following table outlines the specific serial number ranges that were duplicated between the two facilities. If your bill falls within these ranges and has a star at the end, it is part of this historic error.
| Series & District | Serial Number Range (Start) | Serial Number Range (End) | Facilities Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 $1 (B - NY) | B 00000001 * | B 03200000 * | DC (July 2014) & FW (June 2016) |
| 2013 $1 (B - NY) | B 03200001 * | B 06400000 * | DC (Nov 2014) & FW (Nov 2016) |
| 2013 $1 (B - NY) | B 06400001 * | B 09600000 * | DC (Dec 2014) & FW (Oct 2017) |
*Note: While there are 9.6 million total duplicate numbers possible, only the first two ranges (up to B 06400000 ) are widely confirmed and tracked by the collector community as having the highest match potential.
Market Value and Rarity in 2026
As of 2026, the value of a 2013 $1 bill depends entirely on whether it is a "matched pair" or a single note from the duplicate range. Single notes are common enough that they do not command astronomical prices, but they are still worth more than face value to the right buyer.
Value of Single Star Notes
A single Series 2013 B-star note from the affected range typically sells for $10 to $50, depending on its condition. If the note is in "Uncirculated" (crisp, no folds) condition, it may fetch the higher end of that range. Collectors buy these singles in the hope of eventually finding the matching serial number from the opposite facility.
Value of Matched Pairs
The real value lies in the "Matched Pair." When a collector manages to find both the DC and FW versions of the exact same serial number, the value skyrockets. In recent auctions through 2025 and into 2026, matched pairs in average circulated condition have sold for $3,000 to $5,000. If both notes are in "Gem Uncirculated" condition and have been professionally graded, pairs have been known to exceed $10,000.
Fancy Serial Numbers
Even if a 2013 $1 bill is not a star note, it can be valuable if it possesses a "fancy serial number." These include:
- Solid Serials: (e.g., B 88888888 A)
- Ladders: (e.g., L 12345678 B)
- Radars: (e.g., K 12344321 C - reads the same forward and backward)
- Low Serials: (e.g., F 00000005 A)
High-quality fancy serials from the 2013 series can range in value from $50 to over $1,000, independent of the duplicate error.
The Verification and Grading Process
If you believe you have found a 2013 $1 duplicate star note or a matched pair, professional verification is essential to realize the full market value. Organizations like Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) and PCGS Banknote are the industry leaders in third-party grading.
Steps for Professional Grading
- Preservation: Do not fold, iron, or clean the bill. Handle it only by the edges or with gloves, and place it in a PVC-free currency sleeve immediately.
- Submission: You must submit the notes to a grading service. For matched pairs, collectors often submit them together so they can be labeled as a "Matched Pair" on the grading holder.
- Authentication: The grading service will verify that the notes are genuine, identify the printing facility (DC or FW), and assign a numeric grade from 1 to 70 based on condition.
- Encapsulation: The notes are sealed in a protective plastic holder with a label describing the note's pedigree and grade.
Grading can cost between $20 and $50 per note plus shipping, but it is a necessary step for any note intended for high-end auction houses. A graded note is much easier to sell because the buyer has an objective guarantee of its authenticity and condition.
How to Participate in the Search (Project 2013B)
Because the odds of an individual finding a matched pair in their own pocket change are nearly astronomical, the numismatic community created "Project 2013B." This is a community-driven database where people who own a single 2013 B-star note can enter their serial number and facility location.
The project works as a matching service. If two different people enter the same serial number—one with a DC note and one with an FW note—the system notifies both parties. They can then choose to negotiate a deal where one person buys the other's note to complete the pair, or they go in together to sell the pair and split the profits.
Why Search Now?
In 2026, many of these bills are reaching the end of their lifespan. The average $1 bill only stays in circulation for about 6 to 7 years. Because many of the 2013 series bills have been in circulation for over a decade, they are being pulled from the money supply by the Federal Reserve and destroyed as they become worn. This "attrition" makes the surviving notes, especially those in good condition, rarer and more valuable every year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When hunting for 2013 $1 bills, beginners often make several common errors that can lead to disappointment or financial loss.
- Confusing the Series: Many people see a 2013 bill and assume it's valuable. Only the New York (B) star notes from the specific ranges mentioned above are part of the duplicate error. Standard 2013 bills or star notes from other districts (like A, C, D, etc.) are generally worth only face value.
- Ignoring the "FW" Mark: You cannot have a matched pair without one note from DC and one from FW. People often find two star notes from the same facility and mistake them for a pair.
- Cleaning the Bills: Never use water, bleach, or an iron to "improve" the look of a bill. This is considered "altering" the note and will significantly reduce its value or make it ineligible for professional grading.
- Overestimating Condition: A bill that looks "crisp" to a layman may only grade as a "40" or "50" on the 70-point scale due to microscopic surface folds or corner rounding.
Summary of 2013 $1 Bill Key Facts
| Feature | Details for 2013 $1 Bill |
|---|---|
| Signatures | Rosie Rios & Jacob J. Lew |
| Error Type | Duplicate Serial Numbers (Star Notes) |
| District Affected | New York (B) |
| Facility Marks | No mark (DC) vs. "fw" mark (Fort Worth) |
| Estimated Rarity | 6.4 million to 9.6 million duplicates printed |
| Matched Pair Value | $3,000 - $10,000+ (2026 Market) |
| Single Star Value | $10 - $50 (2026 Market) |
FAQ
What is a star note? A star note is a replacement bill. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing identifies a sheet of money that is misprinted or damaged, they destroy it and replace it with a sheet of star notes. The star at the end of the serial number signals to the Federal Reserve that this note was issued to maintain the correct count of currency without reusing a serial number from the main run.
Are all 2013 $1 bills worth money? No. The vast majority of 2013 $1 bills are worth exactly one dollar. Only those with the "B" (New York) district prefix and a star (*) at the end of the serial number within specific ranges are considered highly collectible due to the duplicate error. Additionally, "fancy serial numbers" (like 00000001 or 12345678) can also be valuable.
Where do I find the "FW" mark? The "fw" mark is located on the front (obverse) of the bill. It is very small and sits just to the left of the plate position letter and number in the bottom right corner of the note. If you don't see "fw," the bill was printed in Washington, D.C.
How many matched pairs have been found? As of 2026, only a few hundred matched pairs have been confirmed and reunited out of the millions printed. The low number of matches is due to the notes being circulated at different times and the natural destruction of currency by the Federal Reserve over the last 13 years.
What should I do if I find one of these bills? First, check if it is a star note from the New York (B) district. Then, identify if it has the "fw" mark. If it falls within the serial ranges B00000001* to B09600000*, place it in a protective sleeve. You should then check online databases like Project 2013B to see if the matching serial number has been found by someone else.
Next Actions for Collectors
If you have a collection of $1 bills or are just starting to look through your pocket change, focus your search on the New York (B) district star notes. Use a magnifying glass to check for the small "fw" mark and keep a log of any serial numbers you find. In the 2026 market, even a circulated duplicate note is a valuable piece of history. For those with high-grade specimens, seeking professional grading from PMG or PCGS is the most effective way to protect your investment and prepare it for sale to high-end collectors or auction houses.
