10 High-Value Dollar Bills worth Billions
Currently, the 20-dollar bill is one of the most common bills Americans use. But how did they come to be? How have they been evolving? What value is placed on them? Are 20 dollar bills worth billions? This article comprises answers to these questions.
In this article, I have listed the top 10 most valuable 20-dollar bills.
10 High-Value Dollar Bills worth Billions
1. Fr. 11a $20 1861 Demand Note $411,000
First on our list is the crème de la crème of the batch, the Fr. 11a $20 1861 Demand Note. Made in the year 1989, these dollar bills are worth quite a lot compared to other others, such as the 1860 or 1865 20-dollar bills, primarily because they were in play during the outbreak of the Civil War. According to eBay, the Fr. 11a $20 1861 Demand Note, depending on its condition, can range from $100 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
2. Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate $396,000
Second, on our list is the Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate. Different from other 1882 Gold Certificates, this 20-dollar bill was not only printed with the signature of Bruce-Gilfillan but also endorsed by the treasurer of New York, Thomas C. Acton. Only 14,000 of this bill were issued before the plates were altered from a countersignature to an engraved signature from Acton.
The Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate has only appeared in auctions after the early 2010s. Currently, one of these dollar bills is worth $396,000.
3. Fr. 2084-H $20 1996 Federal Reserve Note $396,000
The Fr. 2084-H $20 1996 Federal Reserve Note was printed in 1996, extremely late compared to the Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate and the Fr. 11a $20 1861 Demand Note, so it is shocking that this 20 dollar bill is worth $396,000.
Fr. 2084-H $20 1996 Federal Reserve Note is worth that much because it has an obstruction called the “Del Monte Note,” in which a banana sticker was printed over the words “Del Monte Ecuador.” This label has made this specimen a treasure.
4. Fr. 1166b $20 1863 Gold Certificate $352,000
The Fr. 1166b $20 1863 Gold Certificate is fourth on our list of high-value dollar bills worth billions. This specimen was issued back in the 1800s to bring stability to paper currency and interbank trading during the tremendous Civil War era when the value of paper money was unstable.
The Fr. 1166b $20 1863 Gold Certificate is one of four notes that bear the engraved signature of the Assistant Treasurer, H.H. VanDyck, making one of the rare and high-value dollar bills worth billions.
5. Fr. 1179 $20 1905 Gold Certificate Gem New $241,000
Also known as Technicolor, the Fr. 1179 $20 1905 Gold Certificate Gem is the most aesthetically pleasing note ever issued by the United States government and possesses a flawless paper surface.
It is one of the last 20 dollar bills printed in 1905 with a background color, making it valuable compared to bills from later years. According to Silver Recyclers, bills printed in this time are usually worth 1,200 dollars in good condition, 4,000 dollars in fine condition, and 10,000 in very fine condition.
6. $20 1875 Fr. 1157 First National Gold Bank Of Petaluma $204,000
The $20 1875 Fr. 1157 First National Gold Bank of Petaluma note is one of only two Series 1875 $20 National Gold Bank Notes.
It was designed differently from others and printed on gold-tinted paper rather than the usual blank paper. This bill is probably not valuable because of its rareness but due to its aesthetic appeal. An average of 1875 20-dollar bills can fetch about $300 to $12,000.
7. Fr. 306b $20 1878 Silver Certificate Extremely Fine $175,000
The Fr. 306b $20 1878 Silver Certificate Extremely Fine is also one of the high-value dollar bills worth billions. It is believed to be the very first Silver Certificate ever created. This specimen maintains strong coloring with a blue anti-counterfeiting stain and the USUSUS watermark.
It was sold on May 7, 2005, a decade and a half ago, for 175,000 dollars and was previously auctioned for $132,000 when the market for paper notes was down. If this specimen were to be auctioned today, it would reach values never before.
8. Fr. 882a $20 1915 Federal Reserve Bank Note $161,000
This particular note was extremely valuable to collectors attempting to put together a full collection of the Federal Reserve Bank Note Series, which was an impossible task until this last note appeared on the market.
Unlike other 20-dollar bills from previous years, 1915 20-dollar bills are considered part of the Federal Reserve Bank Notes. These are usually worth $500 to $12,500.
9. Fr. 375a $20 1891 Treasury Note $155,000
The Fr. 375a $20 1891 Treasury Note has only two samples in the world, one of which will forever remain at the Smithsonian Institute. Part of 20 dollar bills from 1890, this bill is usually valued at $500 – $40,000.
10. Fr. 952b $20 1914 Red Seal Federal Note $138,000
Last on our list is the Fr. 952b $20 1914 Red Seal Federal Reserve Note which is exceedingly rare; only three of these notes have been discovered so far. This dollar bill, in very fine condition, is worth around $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my 20-dollar bill is worth money?
You can check if your dollar bill is worth money and how much it is worth on eBay.
What are the most valuable $20 bills?
10 Most Valuable and Rare 20 Dollar Bills
| No. | Name | Value |
| 1 | Fr. 11a $20 1861 Demand Note | $411,000 |
| 2 | Fr. 1175 $20 1882 Gold Certificate | $396,000 |
| 3 | Fr. 2084-H $20 1996 Federal Reserve Note | $396,000 |
| 4 | Fr. 1166b $20 1863 Gold Certificate | $352,000 |
What are the errors on a $20 bill?
Some of the errors on a $20 bill are:
- Color-Shifting Ink
- Portrait Watermark
- Security Thread
- Raised Printing
- Microprinting
What are Old $20 bills worth?
Old dollar bills in fine condition are worth about $35.
Conclusion
These are the rarest and high-value dollar bills worth billions. For being a part of the old American history and aestheticism, these dollar bills have earned their worth.
