Some euro notes still used for everyday purchases in France may be sought by collectors because of unusual serial numbers or rare printing features. The report says certain €5 notes with such characteristics can be valued in the thousands of euros and encourages people to check the notes in their wallets.
One example is a €5 note bearing serial number SC1111111111, whose numeric sequence consists entirely of ones. Its estimated collector value is said to reach €5,000, equivalent in the report to about 280,000 Turkish lira. That is an estimate, not a guaranteed sale price.
Condition and rarity are key factors. Collectors also look for repeated or palindromic serial numbers, printing errors, missing signatures and misaligned ink. Early notes bearing the signature of former European Central Bank president Wim Duisenberg and the 2002 series are also mentioned as sought-after groups.
The report adds that some €100 and €200 notes with rare printing errors have sold for more than €10,000 at auction. Those figures concern exceptional specimens and do not mean ordinary notes of those denominations carry the same value.