Fancy Serials: A Condensed Reference Guide for Collectors of Unique Serial Numbers

“Special” serial numbers are those that are fancy. Popular terms for serial numbers include elegant, uncommon, cool, and even collectible. I like to think of them as luxury serials. The grading business Paper Money Guarantee, which I shall refer to as PMG from now on, has given them several pedigrees of serial numbers. A variety of fancy serial pedigrees exist, including those for radars, solid digits, low serial numbers (0000 1000 and below), high serial numbers (9999 0000 and beyond), and so on. As a kind of field guide for the novice collector, this article will explain the many styles of beautiful serial numbers. This guide also includes a brief explanation and context for each lineage.

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Serial Numbers 1 through 9

To put it simply, they are the initial numbers printed in any run and the lowest of the low serials. These notes will be labeled “Serial Number 1” and so on by PMG on the holder. Due to their extreme rarity, these notes command a high price.

Minimal Serial Number

Numbers below serial 0000 9999 are generally defined as “collectible” serial numbers. But most individuals don’t collect notes with serial numbers greater than 0000 1000. Only the pedigree in the aforementioned Serials 1 through 9 will be provided by PMG.

Elevated Serial Number

A note with a serial number of 9999 0000 or above is considered a high serial number. Because current runs never reach that number, these notes—which are the final notes produced in any run of notes—are less frequently discussed. These high serial numbers are probably found on older notes or on silver certificates.

Serial Number in Binary

Any two digits can be used to create a “binary” serial number; an example of a binary serial number is 1212 2212. PMG will only provide the lineage of what a non-philist would refer to as a “true” binary. A note that is really binary only has 1s and 0s in its serial. Since 0101 1100, for instance, is a “true” binary, PMG would classify this note as having a binary serial number.

Million-Series Number

This serial number can be viewed as a million-variable. For instance, 7200 0000 would be the serial number for 72 million. Any number on a note followed by six zeros is called a Million Serial number, and it is extremely rare. On a serial number, 0100 0000 would be the number one million. The value of these notes varies.

Radar

A serial number that reads precisely the same both forward and backward is known as a radar serial number. Something called a “partial” radar does not exist. The note needs to use all eight of the serial number’s digits in order to be classified as a radar. A few instances include 1234 4321, 1122 2211, 1011 1101, and so forth. Notaphilists are typically interested in radars that combine elements of other types, like a repeater.

Repetition

any serial where the final four digits of the sequence are the same as the first four. Read the serial number’s first four digits, then its final four, to locate a repeater. A few instances include 1234 1234, 2236 2236, 2949 2949, and so forth. A Radar Repeater is a number, such as 1001 1001, 2002 2002, 4334 4334, and so on, that doubles as a radar.

reliable serial number

As the name suggests, it is a serial number that only utilizes one number: the only available digits are 1111 1111, 2222 2222, 3333 3333, 4444 4444, 5555 5555, 6666 6666, 7777 7777, 8888 8888, and 9999 9999. While seven of a kind are valuable and desirable, they won’t get a pedigree like a graded note. When a premium note has a zero as the lead or end number, like 0777 7777 or 8888 8880, rather of being split up (like 4444 0444), it is considered superior.

Serial Number of the Rotator

This pedigree, sometimes known as a flipper, is a serial number that remains unchanged when seen inverted. For instance, when flipped over, the serial number 6699 6699 equals the same number. It is only possible to rotate the following numbers: 0s, 1s, 6s, 8s, and 9s. The majority of collectors, however, do not include the digits 1 and 8. 1 features a small feature at the top that, when turned over, is a different number. Additionally, 8 does not form the same serial when turned over since it is bigger on the bottom.

Ladder Serial Numbers: Ascending and Descending

This is a serial number that either goes down by one for every number, or goes up by one for every number. It is crucial to understand that a “broken” or “mixed” ladder does not exist. Zero can be used as a low or high number, and the numbers must be in the correct sequence. As an illustration, the ascending and descending ladders 0123 4567, 1234 5678, 8765 4321, and 7654 3210 employ the zero as a low integer. An example of a big number in this context would be 3456 7890, where the zero stands for 10. Notes that begin with several zeros are also sought for, but to a lesser extent; for instance, some people believe that the serial number 0001 2345 is a ladder.

Super Radar

The internal numbers on these unique radar notes are all the same. 2000 0002, for instance, is a super radar.

Super Replicator

A Super Repeater is a unique type of repeater where the first two numbers are repeated four times; examples of super repeaters include 3434 3434, 4545 4545, and 6565 6565.

Double Four

a serial that has two groups of four numbers. For this category, they must be in “sets” of four digits. As an illustration, 3333 4444 and 33344 4443 are both double quads.

Triple Doubles

Four sets of doubles appear in this less sought-after note. 1122 3366, for instance, is a quad double note. Even if they only have a slight premium, these are nevertheless enjoyable to find.

Seven consecutive

As was previously said, a solid note is one in which seven of the eight numbers are the same and together. Every seven is the most in demand.

Notes on Poker

A note with five or more of the same numeral is referred to as a “poker note.” This category, known as “liar’s poker,” is limited to one dollar U.S. bills since it is based on the game of bar patty played with one dollar bills. In this game, participants wager on which of the 10 potential numbers that may be found on a note—0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9—will appear the most frequently. A few instances of poker notes include 0111 1124, 3346 3338, and so forth. There is virtually little premium on these notes; the most sought-after note is one that has five or more consecutive sevens, such as 1237 7777.

Devil’s Note

The note with the serial number “666” is known as a “devil’s note.” I doubt they carry any premium at all, having spent this kind of note myself. Devil’s Notes are a topic of discussion in many note communities and are worthy of consideration.

Notes about Gas Pumps

Notes bearing the names of such retro petrol pumps with revolving numbers. If you search for “old gas pump” on Google Images, you’ll see what I mean. Under these circumstances, the printed serial number is substantially greater than the other numbers. This frequently happens in two or three of the serial numbers.

Notes on Dates

If you haven’t already, you should absolutely read my more in-depth piece I wrote on these kinds of messages (friends, the link is below). I will only define them here because this tutorial is not very long. A date note is a note that creates a relevant date by using the complete serial in the format MMDD YYYY. Common dates are only relevant to the person seeking for a special date, thus they are worth a little more. They are sometimes referred to as “anniversary notes” or “birthday notes” instead. The only ones that are worth anything are Date Notes with important historical dates on them, such 0704 1776 (which doesn’t even need an explanation).

Following one another

These are notes that have additional value, such as an older note or a fancy serial. Sequential notes are known as consecutive notes; for instance, the notes 2345 2345, 2345 2346, and 2345 2347 are all consecutive. Although a consecutive note by itself isn’t very noteworthy, they can become more valuable and desirable when combined with other elements, such as a rare star note in sequence.

Notes from a Star

A star note isn’t always worth anything extraordinary by itself. A note with a star in place of a letter is known as a star note. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) uses star notes to replace money that has been damaged or misprinted before it is sent into circulation. With the exception of the star appearing in the serial number, star notes are used exactly like regular notes.