Sell U.S. Paper Currency

U.S. Paper Currency Values

Sell U.S. paper currency and learn paper money values: an 1861 $5 Demand Note, an 1886 $10 Silver Certificate, an 1896 $1 Educational Series Silver Certificate and an 1891 $1,000 Treasury Note on the American Rarities gold background

Want to sell paper currency or find out what your paper money is worth? American Rarities has bought rare U.S. and world paper money, coins and collections since 1990, with over $400 million purchased. Send us photos of the front and back of your notes and an experienced currency buyer will give you a free, no-obligation appraisal. We reply quickly, and we review submissions in the order we receive them. If you accept our offer, we pay immediately by check, wire or ACH.

Figuring out a currency collection’s value can be a daunting task for a seasoned paper currency collector. It can be even more difficult for someone less familiar with paper money looking to sell their paper currency collection for a fair market value. Our expert paper money dealers are constantly studying the market, ensuring we can provide paper currency sellers with accurate paper money values for their material. Countless times, we have found valuable paper money notes tucked in the most mundane of paper money collections.

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We Have Helped Currency Collectors Appraise And Sell Rare Paper Money For Over 30 Years

Let a Professional Paper Currency Dealer Advise You What Your Rare Currency is Worth

Our rare paper money buyers can provide you with a free online appraisal of your rare paper money collection. Our buyers accurately appraise foreign paper money and American Currency of all types on a daily basis, and can tell you how valuable your old paper money notes truly are. We can quickly find any extra “collector value” your rare paper money notes may have. It’s as easy as emailing us pictures or an inventory list of your paper money collection.

You can provide us information about your notes in whatever manner is easiest for you. We recommend sending us an inventory list and/or pictures of your collection. A partial list or photos of a few specific paper currency notes works well as a starting point. From here, our paper currency buyers can begin the process of providing you with paper currency values for your collection.

What Determines Paper Money Values

Two notes that look alike can be worth very different amounts. When our buyers determine U.S. paper money values, they look at:

  • Type and series. Large-size notes issued before 1929, such as 1861 Demand Notes, Legal Tender Notes, Silver Certificates, Gold Certificates and Treasury Notes, are generally more sought after than the small-size notes printed since.
  • Rarity. How many were printed and how many survive, including scarce signature combinations, seal colors and issuing banks.
  • Serial numbers. Star notes (replacement notes), very low serial numbers and fancy serials such as solids, ladders and radars can carry collector premiums.
  • Condition and grade. Folds, tears, stains, pinholes and trimming all affect value. Third-party grading from PMG can help on high-value notes, but it is not required to sell to us.
  • Errors and demand. Printing errors such as misaligned or inverted overprints, and what collectors are paying right now.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the U.S. Treasury explain how U.S. currency is produced. For published price ranges by type, see our coin and paper money price guide, and learn how notes are graded on our coin and paper currency grading page.

Series 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note with a portrait of Salmon P. Chase, an example of high-denomination U.S. paper money American Rarities buys
A Series 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note with Salmon P. Chase. High-denomination notes were last printed in 1945.

High-denomination notes of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 have not been issued since 1969, though the Federal Reserve notes they remain legal tender. Their collector value is usually well above face, so ask us for an appraisal before you spend or deposit one.

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Common Questions

Some of the most common questions we get asked is what’s my American currency collection value? Or what is my star note value? Or what are my U.S. paper money values? We can readily provide you with the answers you seek. When you search for “paper currency buyer near me”, or “ paper money collectors near me” you want to find a paper currency dealer like us. Consider us your personal paper money price guide.

American Rarities is a reputable paper currency dealer you can trust. If you have a currency collection for sale contact us today to request a free, no-obligation appraisal and offer on your U.S. paper currency collection, and even your foreign paper currency notes, including Mexican paper money from Mexico’s state banks, the Revolution and the Banco de México! Our expert currency buyers can provide a fair, accurate assessment of your paper money collection.

If you would like to take a deeper dive into the intricacies of collecting U.S. paper currency, check out our U.S. Paper Currency Information page.

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Selling your Rare Paper Money Collection

Once you understand the true value of your currency collection, you will be in a position to decide whether or not to sell your rare and valuable notes. Our rare paper currency dealers offer expert, professional and confidential assistance when you’re ready to sell. We are interested in everything from common star notes to the most rare and valuable early large size American Currency notes, and are willing to pay top dollar for them.

If you are ready to sell your rare currency collection, or have questions that need answers, then assistance is just a click or text away. To get started simply simply fill out the form below to tell us a little about what you have.

How to Sell Paper Currency in 3 Steps

  1. 1
    Close-up smartphone camera photographing a 1923 five dollar Porthole silver certificate next to a handwritten list of paper money for a free appraisal

    Photograph or List Your Notes

    Take photos of the front and back of each note, or make a simple list of what you have. Send them with the form on this page, by text to 720-600-4740 or by email to staff@americanrarities.com. Do not clean, press, tape or flatten your notes.

  2. 2
    American Rarities written appraisal and offer sheet on letterhead beside Series 1902 $10 national bank note and 1923 $5 "Porthole" silver certificate

    Get Your Free Appraisal and Offer

    We send a free appraisal and offer, with a free in-house grading opinion and no slabbing required. We reply quickly. Timing depends on the size of your list, and we review submissions in the order we receive them.

  3. 3
    Four ways to get paid for your coins, stacked two by two: stacks of $100 bills in gold money clips labeled Cash, an American Rarities check labeled Check, and two bank buildings with gold dollar coin badges labeled ACH and Wire TransferFour ways to get paid for your coins, in one row: stacks of $100 bills in gold money clips labeled Cash, an American Rarities check labeled Check, and two bank buildings with gold dollar coin badges labeled ACH and Wire Transfer

    Ship or Meet, Then Get Paid

    Ship your notes with our fully insured mail-in service at our expense, or for larger collections ask about a home visit through our nationwide buying network. We pay immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.

Start My Free AppraisalText Photos: 720-600-4740Email Your Photos

Settling an estate? Our IRS-compliant appraisals and our guide to understanding an inherited estate can help.

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American Rarities Buys U.S. Paper Currency of All Types

Types of paper money American Rarities buys: a Third Issue 50 cent Fractional Currency note, an 1864 Confederate $10 note, a Series 1902 $20 National Bank Note from Allentown and an 1833 Franklin Bank of Boston $1 obsolete note
Fractional Currency, Confederate notes, National Bank Notes and obsolete bank notes: we buy them all.

We buy single notes and entire collections, including:

  • Large-size U.S. notes: Demand Notes, Legal Tender (United States) Notes, Silver and Gold Certificates, Treasury (Coin) Notes, Federal Reserve Bank Notes and the 1896 Educational Series.
  • National Bank Notes from hometown banks across the country. See sell national currency notes and our national currency notes guide.
  • Small-size notes since 1928: star notes, fancy and low serial numbers, error notes, uncut sheets and Hawaii and North Africa World War II notes.
  • High-denomination notes: $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills.
  • Fractional Currency from 1862 to 1876, Confederate and Southern States notes, and obsolete (broken bank) notes.
  • World paper money and banknotes from around the globe. Learn more in exploring world currency.

Paper Money Values: Quick Answers

How much is my old paper money worth?

It depends on the type, series, serial number, rarity and condition of each note. Many circulated small-size notes from 1928 onward are worth close to face value, while large-size notes, star notes, fancy serial numbers, errors and high-grade notes can be worth much more. Send us photos of both sides for a free appraisal.

Are star notes worth more than regular notes?

Sometimes. A star note is a replacement note marked with a star next to the serial number. Older series, short print runs and notes in high grade can carry a premium, while many recent star notes trade close to face. We will tell you which kind you have.

Do I need to get my paper money graded before I sell it?

No. We give a free in-house grading opinion with no slabbing required. Third-party grading can help on high-value notes, and we can advise you if it makes sense. Please do not clean, press, tape or flatten a note, since that can lower its value.

More Paper Money Guides and Free Tools

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Free Appraisal and Offer To Purchase Paper Currency

Send Us Your Pictures or Inventory List

Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740






Upload clear photos of fronts and backs and we'll reply with a free appraisal.

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