What is the star after serial number on money?
Mia Phillips
Updated on April 09, 2026
Each note has a unique serial number. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year. A “star” suffix is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process.
Can you track money by the serial number?
Once the serial number of a bill is obtained, the serial number can be useful in tracking the distribution of the bill. It may also be used to help a government official track the whereabouts of criminals and follow currency bills that are being laundered.
What does the serial number on a banknote mean?
Serial Number. A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note. Each note has a unique serial number. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year.
What’s the serial number on a US dollar bill?
Up through Series 1995, all FRNs had serial numbers consisting of one letter, eight digits, and one letter, such as A12345678B; now only the $1 and $2 notes still use this form. The first letter of such a serial number identifies the Federal Reserve Bank which issued the note; since there are twelve FRBs,…
What does the first letter of a serial number mean?
The first letter of such a serial number identifies the Federal Reserve Bank which issued the note; since there are twelve FRBs, this letter is always between A and L. The last letter has no particular meaning; it merely advances through the alphabet as each block of notes is printed.
How to identify foreign currency by serial numbers?
The first prefix letter corresponds to currency series. The second prefix letter corresponds to the Federal Reserve Bank where the bill was printed. For example “A” for “Boston,” “G” for “Chicago,” “B” for “New York” (see Resources). The 8-digit serial number + the suffix letter corresponds to the sequential order in which the bill was printed,…