A 10-spot is always worth at least ten dollars, but some rare 10-dollar bills can be worth a fortune (or at least as much as a small house). Learning to spot the most valuable 10-dollar bills means knowing what makes them worth so much. We're talking super old currency, special serial numbers, interesting mistakes in printing, and those coveted uncirculated bills.
10-Dollar Bill Value Chart
If you're on the lookout for rare tens, it's handy to have a value chart at your fingertips. These examples can give you an idea of what to watch for in your wallet. The bills listed here come from data gathered by US Currency Auctions and include the ultra-rare and valuable 1861 10-dollar bill.
| Year | Type | Size | Seal Color | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1861 | Demand Note | Large | Red | $14,000 - $20,000 | N/A |
| 1863 | Interest Bearing Note | Large | Red | $3,500 - $7,000 | N/A |
| 1878 | Silver Certificate | Large | Red | $10,000 - $35,000 | N/A |
| 1886 | Silver Certificate | Large | Red | $7,500 - $11,000 | $22,500 and up |
| 1915 | National Currency | Large | Blue | $1,500 - $2,800 | $4,000 and up |
| 1934 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $35 - $65 | $115 and up |
| 1950 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $24 - $45 | $70 and up |
| 1963 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $25 - $40 | $65 and up |
| 1974 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $22 - $32 | $40 and up |
| 1977 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $21 - $23 | $24 and up |
| 2001 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $21 | $24 and up |
| 2017 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $20 | $20 |
A 10-dollar bill wasn't always the size it is today. Older bills, sometimes called "horse blankets," were quite a bit bigger. These large notes measured about 7.42 by 3.1 inches.
How Rare Are 10-Dollar Bills?
While 10-dollar bills aren't exactly rare, they have one of the lowest printings of any denomination. The Federal Reserve reports that there were only 2.3 billion 10-dollar bills in 2022. That might sound like a lot, but there were more than six times as many 1-dollar bills printed.
Still, there are some tens that are really rare. They tend to have something special about them. Think really old bills, large notes, weird serial numbers, and original signatures.
How Much Is a 10-Dollar Bill Worth?
A bill is always worth at least the face value, so any 10-dollar bill is worth at least $10. Large notes and older bills are worth the most, however. Many pre-1915 bills are worth at least $200 in any reasonable condition.
How much a 10-dollar bill is worth depends on a bunch of factors, but these are some of the big ones to consider when checking through your wallet:
- Condition: If the bill is in good shape (crisp with no rips or creases, clear printing, that kind of thing), it's going to be worth more. An uncirculated bill that never got passed around is worth the most.
- Age: Older bills tend to be worth more because there are fewer of them around.
- Signatures: A 10-dollar bill with an original signature (not an engraving or a stamp) is usually worth more.
- Special serial numbers: A special or early serial number can drive up the value of a 10-dollar bill.
- Errors: Any kind of mistake in printing a 10-dollar bill is rare, so these are often valuable. Doubled numbers or letters or other small mistakes can be worth big money.
Related: 5 Rare 5-Dollar Bills Worth a Lot More Than Your Latte
5 of the Rarest 10-Dollar Bills of All Time
While you might not have any of these ultra-rare bills in your wallet right now, it's still fun to know what makes them worth so much. These are some of the rarest bills of all time.
When collectors classify paper currency, they use Friedberg numbers, which lets them categorize the bills by the signature combinations, designs, and other factors. It allows bills to be compared like-to-like. Certain Friedberg numbers are very rare.
$10 1861 Demand Note (Fr. 7a)
1861 was the first year paper currency existed in the US, so bills from this year are always worth a lot. They're extremely rare because so few still exist. Even more rare are 1861 bills with low serial numbers, so they're the most valuable. A serial number 1 10-dollar demand note sold at auction in 2014 for $381,875.
$10 1878 Silver Certificate (Fr. 284)
Very rare, the 1878 silver certificate is a huge deal with collectors. Only four are known to exist in good condition, and one sold for $312,000 in 2023. It had bright colors, paper and edges in good shape, and an original signature.
$10 1880 Legal Tender (Fr. 109)
One of the very rarest bills to find in good condition, the 1880 10-dollar bill has only two known examples that are highly rated. One of those two sold at auction in 2006 for $184,000.
$10 1915 Federal Reserve Bank Note (Fr. 817b)
With only 29 examples existing in any condition, the 1915 $10 Federal Reserve note is super rare. They're valuable in any kind of shape, but in good condition, they're worth a lot. Add in a an original signature, and we're talking six figures. One sold for $126,500 in 2009.
$10 1923 Legal Tender Star Note (Fr. 123)
A star note means that the bill is a replacement for another bill with the same serial number. Stars are really rare, especially in older bills. A 1923 $10 star note in beautiful condition sold for $92,000 in 2009.
Which 10-Dollar Bill Serial Numbers Are Worth the Most?
While there isn't really a 10-dollar bill serial number lookup to check what your 10-spot might be worth, you can keep an eye out for certain serial numbers that are valuable.
These are some to look for:
- Stars: A star note has a star in the serial number, indicating that the bill is a replacement. They're rare and tend to be worth more.
- Palindromes: If the serial number is the same when you read it backwards, it's a big deal with collectors.
- Repeat digits: A number or series of numbers that repeat within the serial number can add some value to the bill.
- Early serial numbers: If the number is low, it means it was one of the first bills printed that year. That makes it rare and worth more.
Give Your 10-Dollar Bill a Second Look
Don't use that ten to pay for your lunch without giving it a second look. Knowing which 10-dollar bills are worth money can help make sure you don't trade a treasure for your tuna sandwich.
