A man inherited a rare $5 bill from his grandma, and experts believe it could be worth as much as $400,000.
A man recently discovered that he may have inherited a small fortune in the form of a unique $5 bill from his grandmother.
This bill, which dates back to 1988, has a rare misprint that could make it worth as much as $400,000.
Man inherits rare $5 bill from grandma only to discover it may be worth $400,000
The story begins with Tommy, who received the bill as an inheritance after his grandmother passed away.
When he first saw it, he thought it was just an old piece of currency. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed something unusual.
The bill has a printing error on the front, where the ink is misaligned in the bottom right corner.
This kind of mistake is not common, and it can significantly increase the value of a banknote.
On the back of the bill, there is also a blank area that extends into the middle, where printed details should be.
The unique characteristics of this bill caught the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike, leading to offers ranging from a mere $5 to an astonishing $400,000.
Charlotte shared the story on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, garnering over 890,000 views.
She described the bill as “the most insane banknote” she had ever seen.
The couple is proud of their rare currency and the interest it has received.
Couple declines offers, calls $5 bill “priceless” memory from grandma
Tommy and Charlotte have decided not to sell the bill, despite the tempting offers they have received.
For them, it is more than just a piece of money; it is a treasured memory of Tommy’s grandmother.
Charlotte mentioned that it is their favorite item in their collection and that it is “priceless” to them.
“We have had people offer between $5 and $400,000 for it, and … we refuse,” Carroll said.
“It is our most favorite, and priceless, piece out of anything in our collection,” Carroll said.
Experts explain why misprints on older currency can be highly valuable
Currency experts, like Wyatt McDonald, have weighed in on the situation.
He explained that while misprints can occur on modern bills, they typically do not add much value—usually just a few dollars more than the bill’s face value.
However, older notes with significant errors can be quite valuable. The color of the seal on the bill is often a key indicator of its worth.
Bills with red, blue, or gold seals from earlier years tend to fetch higher prices among collectors.
In this case, the 1988 $5 bill could be a standout piece because of its unique misprint.
Collectors often seek out such currency errors, which can be seen as dramatic and highly desirable.
For instance, a similarly faulty $1 bill is currently listed for around $1,249, and another unique $5 bill is priced at about $1,800.
“Misprints on older currency can be very valuable, and the color of the seal is typically the best indicator.
Vintage notes will have a red, blue, or gold seal on the front,” McDonald said.
“A misprint on a modern green seal note will generally only add a premium of a couple of dollars.
That said, they are excellent conversation starters and meaningful, sentimental items.”
@lottiestarlight