Watch This Guy’s Jaw Drop When He Realizes His $5 Is Worth So Much More!

A man stumbled upon a peculiar $5 bill that may be more than just pocket change. Justin Rivera, who found the bill during a Bible study session, was intrigued by its odd appearance and decided to share it on Reddit’s r/MildlyInteresting forum. Little did he know, this simple post would spark excitement among collectors, some of whom suggested that his seemingly insignificant find could actually be worth a small fortune.

A Unique Discovery

Rivera’s $5 bill had a major printing error that caught his eye. The print was significantly shifted to the right, leaving a wide left margin and no margin on the right. Rivera thought it was “super cool” and held onto it, sensing that it might be more than just a flawed note. He didn’t anticipate the flood of comments from users who believed this error could make the bill valuable.

“Misprints and error notes that got into circulation can be valuable, and appreciated over time,” said Reddit user u/twcau.

Experts later confirmed that Rivera’s bill might indeed have potential beyond its face value, but the story of its worth isn’t as straightforward as one might hope.

Expert Opinion: Is It Really Worth More?

Jesse Kraft, an assistant curator at the American Numismatic Society, shared his thoughts on Rivera’s bill in an interview with Newsweek. While the misprint made the bill interesting, Kraft was hesitant to estimate its future value. He explained that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve didn’t consider the error significant enough to keep the note out of circulation. This casts doubt on whether the note would see a substantial increase in value.

“The $5 bill in the image you provided is not normal, but not terribly valuable either,” Kraft said. However, he did add that there’s always a chance for the bill to appreciate in value if two collectors are willing to outbid each other for it. In cases like these, bidding wars can cause the price of such items to skyrocket.

A Misaligned $5 Bill with a Replacement Serial Number

In addition to the printing error, Kraft noted another feature of the bill—its serial number. Rivera’s $5 bill is what’s known as a replacement note. The star symbol in its serial number indicates that it was printed as a replacement for another note that may have been damaged or contained more severe errors. While this makes the bill unique, Kraft mentioned that its worn condition could limit its overall value.

Despite this, Rivera is thrilled by the idea that his unusual find could be worth more in the future. “It’s amazing that my note could hold much more than its face value,” Rivera shared with Newsweek. Given the potential for appreciation, he plans to hold onto the bill rather than spending it.

More Valuable $5 Bills: Solid Serial Numbers

I made $500,000 selling $1 dollar bills for $15 each.

The crazy thing is people are still doing this today.

Here's what I did…

1/12 pic.twitter.com/lHzK3bmw3b

— Mark Jenney (@markjenney) November 29, 2022

While Rivera’s $5 bill may have an uncertain future, some $5 bills are guaranteed to bring in big bucks due to their rare features. One such feature is a solid serial number, where all the digits are the same. According to GOBankingRates, solid serial numbers like “G88888888A” or “B55555555C” can be worth thousands of dollars.

In fact, The Penny Hoarder mentions that there are about 11 million $5 bills with solid serial numbers in circulation, so it might be worth checking your wallet. Depending on the condition of the bill, some collectors are willing to pay up to $2,000 for a pristine example.

The Importance of Appraisal

If you ever come across a bill with rare characteristics—whether it’s a printing error like Rivera’s or a solid serial number—it’s recommended to have the note professionally appraised. Experts or local coin shops can help assess its true value and connect you with potential buyers, ensuring that you get the best possible price for your rare find.

Rivera’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the little things we overlook can turn out to be surprisingly valuable. So, the next time you come across an odd-looking bill, take a moment to consider its potential—who knows, it might be worth far more than you think.