6 of a Kind Notes (Near Solids)

A 6 of a Kind note — sometimes called a near solid — contains six identical digits in its 8-digit serial number. For example: 11111211 (six 1s, two other digits). These are significantly rarer than their 5-of-a-Kind counterparts and are enthusiastically collected as an accessible alternative to the near-impossible Solid.

The "Near Solid" Name

The term "near solid" reflects collector culture: since true Solid notes (all 8 digits identical) are so astronomically rare (only 9 possible serials per denomination per district), collectors who find notes with 6 of the same digit naturally gravitate toward them as the closest attainable approximation. The name is informal — PMG and PCGS both use "6 of a Kind" in formal grading notes.

Rarity

For any given digit, the number of 8-digit serials with exactly 6 of that digit is: choose 2 positions for the non-matching digits (C(8,2) = 28 ways) × 9 options for first non-matching digit × 9 options for second = 28 × 81 = 2,268 serials per digit. Multiply by 10 digits = approximately 22,680 serials out of 100,000,000 — roughly 1 in 4,400.

However, note that BINARY notes (only 2 distinct digits) overlap with 6 of a Kind (a note with six 1s and two 0s is both a 6 of a Kind and a Binary). Such overlap notes carry premiums from both categories.

Value

A 6 of a Kind note in circulated condition typically sells for $25–$150; in uncirculated condition, $100–$500+. Examples that are also Binary notes (six of one digit and two of another) command higher premiums — sometimes 50–100% more than a comparable note with three distinct digits.