Bill Bounty

Solid Notes

Discover the rarest fancy serial pattern where all eight digits are identical.

3 min read

A solid note is a currency bill where all eight digits of the serial number are the same. For example: 11111111, 77777777, or 99999999.

U.S. one dollar Federal Reserve Note
A solid note looks like any other Federal Reserve Note, but when you look at the serial number you'll see the same digit repeated eight times. Finding one in your change is extraordinarily rare. Image: U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Serial Number · Solid Example
A77777777B
All eight digits are identical — one of only 10 possible solid patterns
A solid serial number on a $1 Federal Reserve Note. The digit "7" fills all eight positions — one of the most sought-after finds in all of currency collecting.

The Ten Possible Solids

Mathematically, there are exactly 10 possible solid patterns (using digits 0 through 9):

  • 00000000
  • 11111111
  • 22222222
  • 33333333
  • 44444444
  • 55555555
  • 66666666
  • 77777777
  • 88888888
  • 99999999

Extraordinary Rarity

A true solid note is extraordinarily rare. In theory, only one solid of each digit (per denomination, per series year, per Federal Reserve district, per suffix letter) could exist in the entire production run. Some combinations may not have been produced at all due to print run management or serial number allocation methods.

Solids are often considered the holy grail of fancy serial collecting. Finding one in circulation is virtually impossible—you might go through millions of notes without encountering a single solid.

00000000 Considerations

The all-zeros solid (00000000) is sometimes theoretically excluded from discussions because serial numbers typically begin at 00000001 in a print run. However, some denominations or series years may have produced notes with this serial, making it contestable whether true 00000000 solids exist.

Collector Desirability

Solid notes rank among the most prized fancy serial categories because:

  • Extreme rarity—typically one per denomination per district per series year
  • High visual impact—immediately obvious
  • Consistent collector demand across all skill levels
  • Strong and predictable secondary market values

Value and Pricing

Solid notes command some of the highest premiums in fancy serial collecting:

  • Circulated solids: $200-$1,000+
  • Uncirculated solids: $500-$2,000+
  • High-grade, professionally certified solids: $1,000-$5,000+

Prices vary based on denomination, series year, and condition. Low-denomination solids ($1 bills) are worth less than high-denomination solids ($50 or $100 bills).

Authentication Caution

Because solids are so valuable, always have high-premium solid notes professionally graded and authenticated by PMG or PCGS. The cost of certification ($20-$50) is minimal compared to the value of the note.

Ready to put this to use?

Bill Bounty hunts involve real circulating U.S. currency. Apply what you've learned to spot target bills in the wild.