Duplicate Serial Number Guide — Project 2013B
Purpose: How to identify, verify, and submit Series 2013B duplicate (star) serial-number notes and what to expect if a match is found.
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1. What is the Duplicate Serial Number Error?
Under normal production, every banknote in a series receives a unique serial number. The Duplicate Serial Number Error referenced by Project 2013B concerns Series 2013B $1 star notes that were printed by two different facilities (Washington, DC and Fort Worth, TX) using the same serial numbers. These are star notes (replacement notes) and therefore show a star symbol after the serial number.
Project 2013B documents submissions of these notes to locate instances where the same serial number exists from both facilities — those pairs are of special interest to collectors and often command higher prices at auction.
2. Valid Serial Number Ranges
Only notes whose serial numbers fall within the following ranges are considered part of the Fort Worth duplication event tracked by Project 2013B:
- B00000001* to B00250000*
- B03200001* to B09600000*
If your note’s serial number is outside these ranges, it was not duplicated by Fort Worth for this particular error event and therefore is not treated as part of this Project 2013B duplicate-range set.
3. Identifying Features
To verify a suspect duplicate star note, check the following:
- Series: Must be 2013 (Series 2013B notes).
- Serial prefix/suffix: Typically a leading letter (e.g.
B) and a trailing star (*). - Star symbol: Presence of the star after the serial number indicates a replacement note.
- Facility indicators: Fort Worth-produced notes often carry identifiers in the plate or face text — compare the note carefully to known Fort Worth vs Washington prints.
- Seal / Federal Reserve mark: Confirm the seal (for example, the
Bdesignation) matches expectations for the series and print run.
When in doubt, photograph the obverse and reverse (high-resolution, flat lighting) and keep the images for submission and verification.
4. Value & What Affects It
The market value of duplicate star notes (especially matched pairs) depends on several factors:
- Condition / grade: Higher grades (uncirculated, pristine) dramatically increase value.
- Matched pair completeness: Pairs that match exactly (serial, star, condition) are the most desirable.
- Serial low-ness: Very low serial numbers (e.g., 00000001) generally attract premium bids.
- Rarity / supply: As fewer matched pristine pairs are available, scarcity pushes prices up.
- Auction demand: Final sale prices depend on the auction house, presentation, provenance, and current collector interest.
Historical auction results have varied widely: conservatively, matched pairs have sold from several hundred to many thousands of US dollars; exceptional pairs can fetch tens of thousands.
5. How to Participate / Submit Your Note
To register a suspected duplicate star note with Project 2013B:
- Confirm the series and that the serial number falls in the valid ranges.
- Take clear, well-lit photographs of the obverse and reverse (include the serial number area and entire note).
- Go to the Project 2013B Submit page and follow the submission form instructions. (If you have many notes, use the Bulk Submissions option.)
- Provide accurate contact information. Project 2013B relies on contact data to notify owners of matches.
- Retain the physical note (do not send it) unless you and a buyer/auction house agree on a sale and shipping arrangement.
Note: Past purges removed submissions that lacked contact data — please include your contact info so your entry remains active.
6. Match Process & What Happens After a Match
When a submitted serial number finds a counterpart from the other facility, Project 2013B follows this process:
- Both submitting owners are contacted privately using the supplied contact information.
- Project 2013B does not disclose private contact details publicly; it only facilitates initial notification.
- Owners may choose among options: private sale between owners, joint auction consignment of the matched pair, or other negotiated arrangements.
- If consigned to auction, Project 2013B can provide guidance on auction houses that have historically handled matched serial-number lots.
All transactions and agreements are ultimately between the owners (and auction houses or buyers) — Project 2013B acts as the matching and informational authority.
7. Project History & Coverage
Project 2013B builds on earlier efforts (such as the Zegers / Winograd lists) to collect and verify serial number submissions for Series 2013B star notes. The project automates the matching process and maintains a curated database of valid submissions that include contact information.
The project periodically purges incomplete entries (for example, submissions without contact data) to keep the active database reliable for matching and outreach.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a “star note”?
- A star note is a replacement banknote printed to replace a defective or damaged note in production. It is identified by a star (*) at the end of the serial number.
- Why only those serial number ranges?
- Those ranges represent the set of serial numbers duplicated by the Fort Worth facility during this specific print event. Notes outside those ranges are not part of the Fort Worth duplication event tracked here.
- Are all duplicate notes equally valuable?
- No. Condition, whether a matched pair exists, low serial numbers, and market demand all influence value.
- Can I sell a single note?
- Yes — single notes are salable. However, matched pairs typically command higher interest and higher prices at auction.
- What if I submitted before but had no contact info?
- Older submissions lacking contact info may have been purged. Please resubmit with valid contact details to be included in the active database.
9. Quick Checklist (printable)
Use this short checklist when evaluating and preparing a submission:
- Series = 2013 (2013B)
- Serial number begins with B and ends with a * (star note)
- Serial number within valid ranges listed above
- High-quality photos of obverse and reverse saved (300+ dpi recommended)
- Complete contact information included with submission
- Keep the physical note safe and handle with gloves if possible
Direct Answer
What is the 2013B duplicate serial number error?
The 2013B duplicate serial number error occurred when both Washington DC and Fort Worth facilities printed identical star note serial numbers in two overlapping ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my 2013B star note has a duplicate serial number?
Check if your note begins with “B”, ends with a star (*), and falls within the official duplicate serial number ranges.
What serial number ranges are affected by the 2013B duplicate error?
The valid duplicate ranges are B00000001* – B00250000* and B03200001* – B09600000*.
Why are 2013B duplicate star notes valuable?
These notes are collectible because they were printed in duplicate by two facilities, creating rare pairs with identical serial numbers.
Where can I sell or consign my 2013B duplicate note?
You can consign through top auction houses, peer-to-peer sales, or submit your note to Project 2013B for potential matching.
How do I submit my 2013B duplicate note to Project 2013B?
Visit the site’s Submission page, provide your note’s details, and upload clear front-and-back photos for verification and potential matching.
