Rare 2013 $100 Notes Worth a Lot of Money : Most people treat $100 bills with a little more care than smaller denominations—but few realize that some of these bills could be worth far more than their face value. In particular, a group of rare 2013 series $100 notes has captured the attention of collectors and currency experts alike. Thanks to a historic printing error, some of these bills are now worth thousands—and potentially tens of thousands—of dollars.
If you’ve got any $100 bills tucked away in your wallet, safe, or sock drawer, now’s the time to check. Here’s what makes these 2013 notes so valuable—and how to tell if you’re holding one of the rarest printing mistakes in U.S. history.
The Big Deal: The 2013 Duplicate Serial Number Error
The buzz around 2013 $100 notes started with the discovery of a massive printing error involving duplicate serial numbers—a mistake that was never supposed to happen.
Here’s what went wrong:
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In 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) printed $100 notes at two facilities: Washington, D.C. and Fort Worth, Texas.
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A batch of notes from both locations was accidentally assigned overlapping serial numbers, meaning two different $100 bills exist with the exact same serial number, series, and Federal Reserve designation.
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This violates the core principle of U.S. currency: every bill is supposed to be unique.
This rare mistake has created one of the most fascinating modern currency hunts ever—because both versions of each duplicate pair are now in circulation, and collectors are desperate to reunite them.
How Much Are They Worth?
The value of these misprinted 2013 $100 bills can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Whether a matching duplicate has already been found
- Condition of the note (uncirculated is ideal)
- Serial number range
- Federal Reserve district (look for “B” for New York)
- Market demand and rarity
Single duplicate notes have already sold for $2,000 to $4,000, and matching pairs (both bills with the same serial number from different facilities) are estimated to be worth $20,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on condition.
What to Look For: Is Your $100 Bill One of Them?
To check if your 2013 $100 bill is potentially one of the valuable duplicates, examine the following features:
1. Series Date
Look in the lower right of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait. It must read:
“Series 2013”
2. Federal Reserve District
Check the black seal to the left of the portrait. You’re looking for a “B”, which stands for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
3. Serial Number Ranges
The known duplicated serial number ranges fall into two major blocks:
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B00000001 – B00250000
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B03200001 – B09600000
If your 2013 $100 bill begins with a “B” and the serial number falls within these ranges, you may have a duplicate.
4. Location Clues
If you know where your bill was obtained (e.g., New York, Texas, etc.), it might hint at which facility it came from. The Fort Worth notes often have a small “FW” printed near the right side of the bill, just above the large 100 in the lower-right corner on the front.
What To Do If You Have One
If your bill matches all of the above criteria:
- Do not spend it.
- Store it in a protective sleeve or between clean, flat surfaces.
- Get it authenticated by a currency grading service like PCGS Currency or PMG (Paper Money Guaranty).
- Search online communities (such as the Project 2013B database or fancyserialnumber.com) to see if your bill’s duplicate has been found—or submit your bill for matching.
- Contact a currency dealer or auction house that specializes in rare U.S. notes.
Other Rare Features That Add Value
Even if your bill isn’t part of the serial number error, some 2013 $100 bills may still be valuable if they have:
- Fancy Serial Numbers: Like 12345678, 00000001, or 88888888
- Star Notes: A star (★) at the end of the serial number, indicating a replacement note
- Printing Errors: Ink smears, off-center printing, or missing elements
These features can boost a bill’s value to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts
The 2013 $100 bill is no longer just another crisp Franklin—it could be your lottery ticket in disguise. Thanks to one of the most significant printing mistakes in modern currency history, these notes have become incredibly collectible and extremely valuable.
So don’t wait—pull out your wallet, dig through that stack of emergency cash, and check your $100 bills. That ordinary note might just be worth a whole lot more than $100.
Found a bill with a matching serial number or have questions about your note? Share it here and I’ll help you identify its potential value!