Rare 2013 $100 Bills Worth Big Money : If you’re carrying a crisp $100 bill, it might be worth much more than its face value—especially if it’s from the 2013 series. Some of these bills, due to rare printing errors or specific serial number combinations, have become hot commodities among collectors. While most 2013 $100 bills are just that—$100—there are a few standouts that have sold for thousands of dollars. And the best part? You might already have one in your wallet.
Here’s what makes certain 2013 $100 bills so valuable—and how to tell if you’re holding one.
Why the 2013 Series Is Special
The U.S. Treasury redesigned the $100 bill in 2013, introducing new security features like:
- A blue 3D security ribbon
- A color-shifting Liberty Bell in an inkwell
- Raised printing and microprinting
But what makes some 2013 $100 bills valuable has nothing to do with design, and everything to do with printing mistakes and rare serial numbers. Due to a mix-up between the Fort Worth, TX and Washington, DC printing facilities, some duplicate serial numbers were printed—something that isn’t supposed to happen.
The “Duplicate Serial Number” Error
The biggest story around 2013 $100 bills involves a major printing mistake: two batches of bills with identical serial numbers were printed at different facilities. According to collectors and researchers, these batches were:
- Printed at the Fort Worth facility and the Washington, D.C. facility
- Labeled as Series 2013
- Shared serial numbers across batches, which is extremely rare and considered a serious error by collectors
Because U.S. currency is designed to have unique serial numbers, this duplication is a big deal. If you have one of these bills—and someone else has its twin—you could be holding a rare piece worth $2,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on condition and matching serial data.
How to Check If You Have a Valuable 2013 $100 Bill
Follow these steps to see if your bill could be worth a fortune:
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Check the Series Year
Look for the words “Series 2013” near the lower right of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait.
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Look for the “B” Federal Reserve District
Most of the known error bills came from the New York district, identified by a “B” in the Federal Reserve seal on the left side of the bill. -
Examine the Serial Number
Known duplicates fall within specific serial number ranges. While the complete list is still being compiled by collectors, bills that start with B00000001 through roughly B00250000 and B03200001 through B09600000 are most likely to contain matches. -
Compare With Online Databases
Several online communities and tools are dedicated to matching 2013 duplicate serial numbers. If you find a potential match, you could contact the holder of the twin bill and negotiate a private sale or auction.
What Other 2013 $100 Bills Are Worth Collecting?
Even if your bill doesn’t have a duplicate twin, other factors can still increase its value:
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Fancy Serial Numbers: Bills with patterns like 00000001, 12345678, 88888888, or palindromes (e.g., 12344321) are highly collectible.
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Low Serial Numbers: Anything under 00000100 is worth significantly more than face value.
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Star Notes: If your serial number ends with a star (*), it means the original note was misprinted and replaced—these are rarer and often more valuable.
What to Do If You Find One
If you believe you have a rare 2013 $100 bill:
- Do not spend it — even a common-looking note can be extremely valuable.
- Protect it — store the bill in a currency sleeve or plastic holder.
- Get it appraised — consult with a currency expert or a reputable grading service like PCGS Currency or PMG.
- Consider selling — rare error notes can fetch thousands of dollars at auction or through private collectors.
Final Thoughts
Rare currency isn’t just in museums or vaults—it’s circulating in wallets, registers, and banks across the country. The 2013 $100 bill is a perfect example of how a small error or unusual serial number can make an ordinary piece of cash into a collector’s dream.
So before you break that Benjamin, give it a second look. That $100 bill could be worth 50 or even 500 times more than you think.