Rare American Coins and Bills Worth More Than You Think

Repeat serial number bills: up to $160

It's always a good idea to check the serial numbers on the bills in your wallet or purse: after all, fancy serial numbers can command surprisingly high prices.

2006 misprint dollar bill: $200

It's not just spelling mistakes that can make bank notes more valuable. Printing errors can range from bills with incorrectly colored seals and orientations that are off to upside down or double-printed serial numbers.

1928 red seal $2 bill: up to $380

While rarely used, the $2 bill remains in circulation, though relatively few are printed these days. While they aren't worth much more than their face value, the red seal $2 notes that were issued in 1928 could be worth something.

1972-P doubled die Lincoln penny coin: up to $500

One of the most common minting errors, doubled die coins are created when the die imprints a misaligned image on the coin, giving the lettering and numbers a blurred finish.

Star serial number bills: up to $500

Another type of fancy serial number bill is the so-called "star note," which features an asterisk at the end of the serial number.

1955-P doubled die Lincoln penny coin: up to $2,000

Up to 24,000 doubled die pennies were released into circulation by the Philadelphia Mint in 1955.

Solid serial number bills: up to $4,500

Notes with serial numbers made up of identical digits are rare, with only one in 11 million bills printed boasting this type of detail. As a result, they're worth big bucks.

Ladder serial number bills: $5,000+

Called "ladder bills," the most sought-after examples are bills that feature the so-called "perfect" ladder serial numbers: 12345678 and 87654321.

SWIPE UP FOR MORE AMAZING STORIES