When is 50 bucks worth a whole lot more than 50 bucks? When it's a rare 50-dollar bill worth thousands of dollars! Don't plunk down that 50 to pay for dinner until you take a closer look.
50-Dollar Bill Value Chart
We like keeping a value chart handy to look up 50-dollar bills that might be worth money. These are some example values based on data gathered by . You'll see some of the oldest and most valuable bills on this list.
| Year | Type | Size | Seal Color | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1861-1876 | Interest Bearing Note | Large | Red | Too rare to estimate | N/A |
| 1863 | United States Note | Large | Red | $8,000 - $16,000 | N/A |
| 1869 | United States Note | Large | Red | $13,000 - $25,000 | N/A |
| 1882 | Gold Certificate | Large | Brown | $8,000 - $20,000 | N/A |
| 1891 | Treasury Note | Large | Red | $35,000 - $50,000 | N/A |
| 1913 | Gold Certificate | Large | Red | $700 - $1,300 | $2,500 and up |
| 1934 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $55 - $120 | $150 and up |
| 1969 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $60 - $75 | $90 and up |
| 1977 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $60 - $85 | $90 and up |
| 1996 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $50 - $65 | $70 and up |
| 2013 | Federal Reserve Note | Small | Green | $50 | $55 and up |
The oldest 50-dollar bills are what is known as "large notes." They were actually quite a bit bigger than the bills we see today, measuring about 7.42 by 3.1 inches. These large notes tend to be valuable.
How Rare Are 50-Dollar Bills?
Most 50-dollar bills aren't rare at all, despite the fact that we don't tend to see them in our pocket change. According to the , there were 2.5 billion 50-dollar bills in circulation in 2022. That's a fraction of the number of more common bills like ones and 100s, but it's still a lot of paper money.
For your 50 to be rare, it needs to be different somehow. That can mean being really old, having a printing mistake, or having a special serial number.
How Much Is a 50-Dollar Bill Worth?
A 50-dollar bill has to be worth at least the face value (the amount written on the front), so every single one is worth at least $50. Some, though, can be worth way more. If your 50 is a large note, expect it to be worth at least $150, and it may be worth much more.
If you're on the lookout for a rare 50-dollar bill that's got some value beyond $50, look for these factors:
- Old bills - Large notes and old bills from the early 20th century or before can be extremely valuable.
- Great condition - Any 50-dollar bill with minimal wear is going to be worth more, and uncirculated bills that never got passed around can be worth a lot.
- Errors - Any kind of mistake or error in the printing of the bill can add to its value.
- Signatures - Most modern bills have printed or engraved serial numbers, but older bills are sometimes hand-signed, and they can be worth more.
- Valuable serial numbers - The numbers on the bill can form a pattern or be really low (indicating an early example of that year), and those can be worth extra.
5 Rare and Valuable 50-Dollar Bills to Look For
If you see anything unusual in your 50, it's going to be worth a closer look. Some of the rarest 50-dollar bills ever are worth thousands of dollars, so they can offer insights into what makes a 50 valuable.
Currency is given a , which is a classification for different designs and signature combinations. It helps collectors compare bills to one another, and certain Friedberg Numbers are much more valuable than others.
$50 1861 Interest-Bearing Note
1861 was the first year the United States printed paper money, so bills from this year are among the most valuable. The Fr. 202a $50 1861 note is the only one known to exist, and it's in very fine condition. It .
$50 1863 Legal Tender
Another very early example of paper currency, the 1863 (Fr. 150) legal tender note is a really rare bill that is worth serious money. Only about nine known bills exist in Fr. 150, and one in excellent condition .
$50 1891 Treasury Note
Only 25 examples of the $50 1891 Treasury Note (Fr. 376) are known to exist, and uncirculated examples with low serial numbers are especially valuable. One in perfect condition with serial number B2 .
$50 1882 Gold Certificate
With only four known examples in Fr. 1191, the 1882 gold certificate is an ultra-rare 50-dollar bill collectors covet. One in perfect condition with crisp details and clean printing .
$50 1869 Legal Tender
Another very rare bill, the Fr. 151 $50 1869 legal tender is almost impossible to find in uncirculated condition. This example seems never to have been passed around and is crisp and clean. It .
Which 50-Dollar Bill Serial Numbers Are Valuable?
The serial number on the bill can have a big impact on its value, so it's an important thing to look at when you're examining bills in your collection. If you have a 50 you're wondering about, grab your magnifying glass and look at the serial number for these characteristics:
- Stars - A star in the serial number means the bill is a replacement. Star notes can be worth more.
- Palindrome - If the serial number is the same front-to-back and back-to-front, it's a palindrome. People build whole collections around these.
- Low numbers - A low serial number means the bill is one of the first in the series for that year, so these tend to be worth more.
- Repeats - A serial number with a series of repeating digits can also be worth more.
Spot a Treasure That's Worth More Than $50
Give yourself one extra second to look for rare 50-dollar bills before you pay for dinner or make your bank deposit. Knowing what makes a bill worth more can help you spot a treasure that's worth a lot more than $50.
