Why fancy serial numbers of course! Today’s collectors are enjoying a newfound love of fancy serial numbers. There are a host of different serial numbers to collect; Radars, Ladders, Super Repeaters, Binaries, Solids, Birthday Notes, Near-Solids, Low Serial Numbers and Serial Number 1’s. I am sure I am missing a few.
With so many ways and varying types to collect today, modern Federal Reserve Notes provide a new generation of collectors with opportunities to accumulate collectible notes that may increase in value. And the best part – fancy serial numbers can be found in circulation with a little searching and lots of luck.
Here is a breakdown of the various fancy/special number categories:
- Radar notes are notes that read the same forwards and backwards such as 13577531.
- Super radars are notes that contain six zeroes in the middle with matched ends such as 20000002.
- Ladder notes are broken down into up ladders and down ladders such as the perfect ladder 12345678 and the perfect down ladder 87654321.
- Partial ladders like 10012345 are collected as well but mixed ladders where the digits that make up a ladder 47823561 are seen within a serial number do not carry value.
- Super repeaters are notes that display a serial number in this fashion 26262626.
- True binary notes are those made up of ones and zeroes that were popular in computer programming language, such as 01000001.
- Solid serial number notes are quite popular and desirable with the best being 88888888 and the ultimate solid prize being 99999999.
- Birthday notes offer people an opportunity to acquire a note that celebrates when they were born such as 11011955.
- Near solids are pieces that contain typically five, six or seven digits the same. The more consecutive digits that are the same the better.
- Low serial numbers are also a pleasure to locate and collect; typically, four digits up to 00009999 and below to 00000001 (the ultimate prize) are considered low serial numbers.
A friend and colleague, Mike Abramson, who is an expert in this popular paper money collecting segment has authored a new book entitled Special Serial Numbered Banknotes. His 270-page guidebook encompasses both Large and Small Size paper money and contains 500+ color photos of the rarest notes as well as current valuations of the most highly collected varieties.
Fancy serial numbers have come of age as more collectors embrace the joy of finding a neat serial numbered note in circulation. Imagine if that note turns out to be worth hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars. Fancy that!
