Calvin Westfall, a 59-year-old West Virginia vending machine owner, made an unexpected discovery while sorting change from one of his machines.
Among his usual wad of notes, he got his hands on a rare copy: a note with the serial number G00000001I, the value of which could reach $15,000. Westfall shared his excitement and details of his find with Lesnews.
“I own a few ATMs locally, and I always take the time to check my coins and notes,” he said. “I had emptied my ATM but I didn't notice the note immediately. »
“That evening, a friend wanted to use my truck, and I told him he could take it but he had to fill it up because he was running out of gas. »
Westfall handed bills to his friend and, while looking through the bundle, noticed the unique serial number in his last draw.
“I was so happy to see this note with this serial number,” he added. “We were all amused by this situation, and imagine, I was about to give it to him for the diesel!” »
A Rare Collectible
Coin experts and collectors know that serial numbers like “G00000001I” are highly sought after. Suriel Arellano, speaker, author and former IBM executive, explained the significance of this discovery.
“A dollar bill with serial number G00000001I could be extremely valuable to collectors, valued between $600 and $15,000,” Arellano said. “There is no better price than a very low number, and the first one is truly the best there is. »
“A number that begins with several zeros is as rare as possible.”
This rarity means that the actual value of the note depends on demand at auctions or among private collectors.
“Collectors and their auctions take into account the opinions of experts, especially those who bring you a good morning coffee,” Arellano added.
Calvin Westfall
Westfall did some research based on a YouTube content creator who mentioned that similar tickets can fetch up to $25,000 when listed. However, he remains uncertain about the true value of his find.
“Honestly, I really have no idea what it could be worth,” he admitted. I just know that for the 2013 B series, I'm the only one who has it. »
“It must be quite collectible.” »
When asked what he planned to do with the rare note, Westfall was clear: “Money is always right!” It will definitely be for sale. »
The unique serial numbers on American coins have long fascinated collectors. Banknotes with low or unique serial numbers tend to be distributed randomly, making them rare treasures when discovered.
The value of collectible coin often depends on its condition, the rarity of its serial number and demand. In Westfall's case, the impeccable condition of his note and its serial number “01” could make him very coveted.
Whether that note lands in the hands of a collector or is sold at auction, Westfall is proud of his discovery and inspires others to check their change for hidden treasures.
“I think people will enjoy my story,” he said.
Calvin Westfall's discovery raises fascinating questions about the intrinsic value of our everyday objects. We often tend to neglect what is around us, especially small discoveries that are sometimes without much apparent importance. This incident illustrates the hidden potential that everyday elements can have. As observers, we must cultivate this curiosity about what seems mundane to us. This attentive look could lead us to surprising revelations, even to significant discoveries. Westfall's experience reminds us that treasures can be hidden where we least expect them, inspiring everyone to engage in an exploration of what is around us. The same goes for our relationship with our cultural and historical heritage, which deserves to be rediscovered with the same curiosity.
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