Hi Traci,

Thank you for reaching out—your questions genuinely help us keep the site as useful and accurate as possible!

A few quick points about “thin‑margin” notes:

In your case—a Series 2004 $50 that’s circulated and has writing/marks—minor top‑border narrowness alone is unlikely to raise the value above face. Collectors who pay premiums for mis‑cuts typically insist on:

• A large, unmistakable shift (≥¼ in / 6 mm),

• Crisp, uncirculated condition,

• No ink, stamps, or folds.

What you can do

1. Quick self‑check: If every design element (security threads, “50” counters, portrait frame) is still fully inside the border, it’s probably within normal tolerances.

2. Photos welcome: If you’d like a second opinion, feel free to send well‑lit, straight‑on images of the front and back. We can tell at a glance whether it crosses the line into true error territory.

3. Keeping vs. spending: Given the circulation and markings you mentioned, you’re generally safe to spend it—though there’s no harm in holding onto it as a conversation piece if you enjoy the note.

I hope this clarifies things! Let me know if you have photos or any other questions—we’re always happy to dig a little deeper.

Sequential serial numbers can be a bonus for collectors, but the extra value is often modest. In your case, having 10 pristine $5 bills in sequential order (from QF77400715A to QF7740025A) could be more attractive to currency collectors than a random assortment. Such sets are sometimes marketed as “serial number sets” or “sequential notes” and may fetch a premium over their face value.

However, several factors influence the added value:

• Condition: Since your bills are described as pristine, that’s a definite plus.
• Demand: The premium for sequential notes tends to be niche. While collectors appreciate sequential runs, the demand is relatively limited.
• Market Factors: The extra premium might range from around 10–20% over face value for a complete, well-presented set. In some cases, particularly if the sequence is from a series that’s already popular among collectors, the premium could be slightly higher, but it’s unlikely to be dramatic.

For an accurate appraisal, it’s a good idea to check recent sales on auction sites like eBay or consult with a reputable currency dealer who specializes in collectible paper money. This will give you a clearer picture of current market trends and collector interest

The serial number PE 20222012 B is quite interesting as it contains two years “2022” and “2012”. While it’s not the most sought-after type of serial number (like solid numbers or radar numbers), collectors who like this kind of number combination might pay a few dollars extra. If you want to sell it, try listing it for $2-5 above face value.

Thank you for your question! Let me clarify a few important points:

The Fancy Serial Number and Star Note status are actually two independent factors in evaluating a banknote’s value. To check if you have a fancy serial number, you only need to enter the 8-digit serial number without the star symbol – the system will evaluate the serial number pattern on its own.

After entering the 8 digits, the system will calculate a Fancy Index score (up to 100) based on the number pattern. For fancy serial numbers, we attempt to match historical pricing data of notes with the same or similar patterns in our Similar Transactions section, though please note that similar transactions may not always be available for every fancy serial number.

Speaking of Similar Transactions – there’s a helpful filter feature there that lets you specifically look for Star Note transactions. Just click the filter icon to open the modal window, and you’ll find a Star Note option where you can choose to view only Star Note sales records.

Hope this helps clarify how to use the checker effectively!