Near-Solid Notes

A near-solid note (also called a seven-of-a-kind) has seven of the same digit with exactly one different digit. For example: 11111121, 77777277, or 99999899.

Position Matters

The position of the different digit affects the note's desirability. Collectors recognize several preferred types:

• End-position near-solids – The different digit at the first or last position (e.g., 2XXXXXXX vs. XXXXXXX2) – most aesthetically pleasing
• Middle-position near-solids – The different digit near the center (e.g., XXXXYXXX) – less visually dramatic

Frequency and Rarity

There are theoretically 80 near-solid patterns per denomination per series year per district (8 positions for the "different" digit × 9 different digit choices, since one of the 10 digits is already used as the repeating digit). This makes near-solids moderately rare—approximately 1 in 1,250 notes.

While this is far more common than true solids (1 in 10 million), near-solids are rare enough to be considered a specialized collecting category and still carry meaningful collector premiums.

The Appeal to Collectors

Near-solid notes serve as a practical middle ground for collectors:

• True solids are impossible to find – Most collectors will never encounter one in circulation
• Near-solids are accessible – With effort and patience, a collector might find one or two in a large sample of notes
• They're visually striking – At a glance, a near-solid looks almost solid, making it impressive
• Lower cost than solids – Premium prices are affordable for most collectors

Value Range

Near-solid values vary based on position of the different digit and condition:

• Circulated near-solids with end-position variation – $10-$30
• Circulated near-solids with middle-position variation – $5-$15
• Uncirculated near-solids – $30-$100+
• Professionally graded near-solids – Values increase significantly based on grade

Collecting Strategy

Many serious fancy serial collectors maintain a "waiting list" for near-solids. They recognize that:

• Solids are likely to never be found in circulation
• Near-solids are the closest practical alternative
• Building a collection of near-solids is an achievable goal with focused effort