Nigeria uses 'DZ' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.ĭifferent countries may also have their own numbering or marking schemes.

Serbia uses 'ZA' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.

Thailand uses '5 OS' in the serial number to mark replacement polymer banknotes.

Zambia uses 'X3' in the serial number to mark replacement polymer banknotes.

Iraq uses prefix 'Letter/99' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.

Indonesia uses 'X' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.

Singapore uses 'Z/0' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.

Scotland, Hong Kong and Mongolia use 'ZZ' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.The Bahamas, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Guatemala use 'Z' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.Argentina uses 'R' in the serial number to mark replacement banknotes.Some later issues use prefixes with '33' or 'X' to mark replacement banknotes. Canada used '✽' at the beginning of serial numbers on its replacement banknotes until 1975.These were also used by Australia until 1972. The United States, India and the Philippines use the '★' in the serial number to mark a replacement banknote.

A replacement note will have its own serial-numbering system that separates it from the normal numbering system. It is rare that the replacement banknote has the same serial number as the original faulty one. This saves time and money compared to re-printing exactly the same serial number that was used before. Replacement bills have different symbols to mark the error around the world, although the most popular examples are 'star notes'.Īs quality control finds defective notes in the printing process after the serial number has been overprinted, they are taken out with their serial number written down and replaced with another banknote printed specifically for this purpose, so that the number of banknotes being printed stays the same in each production batch. Also, since no two serial numbers can be the same, the bill is simply reprinted with a symbol in the serial number, identifying it as a replacement for an error note. The asterisk, or 'star' following the serial number indicates this is a replacement note for one that was misprinted.Ī replacement banknote, commonly referred to as a star note, is a banknote that is printed to replace a faulty one and is used as a control mechanism for governments or monetary authorities to know the exact number of banknotes being printed.

Star dollar bill serial number lookup