What is considered a low serial number?

Collectors generally treat serial numbers from 00000001 to about 00000100 as genuine low serials, with interest continuing up to roughly 00001000. The many leading zeros are the giveaway.

How much is a low serial number bill worth?

A serial under 100 on a $1 can bring tens to low hundreds of dollars, and an 00000001 note in nice condition can reach into the hundreds or more. The lower the number and the better the condition, the higher the value.

Is an 00000001 dollar bill valuable?

Yes. The number-one note is the first of its run and the most desirable low serial, especially for a new series or design. In good condition it can command a substantial premium.

Guides · Fancy serials

Low Serial Number Bills: How Much Are They Worth?

A Follow the Money guide · Updated June 2026

A low serial number bill is exactly what it sounds like: the eight-digit serial is a small number, padded with leading zeros — 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5. Collectors love them because they're intuitive (no decoding required) and the lower you go, the scarcer they get. The rule of thumb: the lower the number, the higher the value.

What counts as a low serial number

There's no official cutoff, but collectors generally treat anything 00000001 through 00000100 as a genuine low serial, with strong interest up to about 00001000. The presence of many leading zeros is the visual signal. A note like 00000007 reads as both low and a bit of a lucky number, which adds appeal.

Number-one notes are special

The single most desirable is 00000001 — the very first note of its run. Number-one notes, especially the first note of a brand-new series or design, are showpieces and can command dramatic premiums. The first hundred notes overall carry meaningful value, tapering as the numbers climb.

What is a low serial number worth?

Roughly speaking: a serial under 100 on a $1 can bring tens to low hundreds of dollars; an 00000001 in nice condition can reach into the hundreds or more; and serials in the few-hundreds-to-low-thousands range carry a smaller but real premium. Condition and denomination move the number up; circulation wear moves it down.

How to check your bill

Drop your serial into the free Bill Value Checker and it'll tell you whether it ranks as a low serial and roughly what that's worth. The app flags low serials — along with stars and every fancy pattern — automatically as you scan.

Check your serial number Get the app

This guide is for general education and isn't an appraisal — values vary with the market and a note's exact condition. For a second opinion, post a clear photo to r/papermoney or consult a professional grader.

More guides: Solid serials · Radar notes · Star notes · Fancy serials