Rare $1 Bill with Serial Number ‘1’ Discovered in Vending Machine
A Parkersburg, Georgia man struck ‘serial’ gold in his vending machine—a $1 bill so rare, it’s practically currency royalty.
In a surprising twist of luck, Calvin Westfall, a vending machine operator and collector of coins and paper money in Parkersburg, Georgia, stumbled upon a treasure hiding in plain sight—a $1 bill with a serial number that’s the envy of numismatists: G00000001I. This bill, part of the 2013 Series G, is the very first printed in its series.
Bills with low serial numbers, especially a coveted No. 1, rarely enter circulation. Such notes are often reserved for collectors or sold through specialized channels. However, this gem found its way into Westfall’s soda pop vending machine approximately four months ago.
“This is what makes it so rare,” Westfall shared, marveling at his discovery.
Steve Hand, an experienced dealer at Union Coins and Currency in Marietta, emphasized the significance of Westfall’s find. “That’s a rare bill,” Hand noted. “If someone collects paper currency, this would be a prized addition to their collection.” Hand estimates that an uncirculated bill of this caliber could fetch $15,000 or more in today’s market. While Westfall’s bill has been circulated, its low serial number still makes it quite valuable.
Westfall nearly parted with the bill before realizing its worth. While grabbing cash from his vending machine to lend to a friend for gas money, he noticed the unusual serial number. As a collector, Westfall always examines the coins and bills that pass through his machines, and this habit certainly paid off.
“I almost gave him the bill,” Westfall recalled. “Luckily, I looked at it.”
Westfall has no plans to sell the bill. Instead, he intends to preserve it for his daughter, Tabitha Davis, and other collectibles he has amassed over the years. “I’ve been teaching her what to look for,” he said. While Davis is also exploring sports card collecting, her father’s enthusiasm has sparked her growing interest in rare coins and bills.
Madison Williams, a local auctioneer, highlighted the enduring appeal of collectibles like rare coins and paper money, noting that they tend to hold their value even during economic shifts. “Old coins, particularly silver dollars, are incredibly stable,” Williams explained.
The uniqueness of this $1 bill lies in its singularity. “Only one bill carries this number,” confirmed Al Woodrich of the Parkersburg Coin Club, further cementing its status as a one-of-a-kind find.
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Kele Johnson is the Editor of Kovels Antique Trader magazine and the Digital Content Editor of Active Interest Media's Collectibles Group. Her captivation with collectibles began at a young age while dusting her mother’s McCoy pottery collection. She admits to a fondness for mid-century ceramics, uranium glass, and ancient coin hoards. Kele has a degree in archaeology and has been researching, writing, and editing in the collectibles field for many years. Reach her at kelejohnson@aimmedia.com.
