You should take a deeper look if you notice anything out of the ordinary in your 50s. They can provide information about what makes a fifty dollar bill valuable because some of the rarest ones ever made are valued at thousands of dollars.
A Friedberg Number, which is a classification for various designs and signature combinations, is assigned to currency. Some Friedberg Numbers are significantly more valuable than others, and it aids collectors in comparing banknotes to one another.
Since the United States created paper money for the first time in 1861, these bills are among the most precious. The only one known to exist is the Fr. 202a $50 1861 note, which is in extremely good condition. In 2005, it brought $368,000.
The 1863 (Fr. 150) legal tender note is another extremely early example of paper money and is extremely valuable. There are only roughly nine known bills in Fr. 150, and one that was in very good shape sold for $299,000 in 2008.
There are just 25 known specimens of the $50 1891 Treasury Note (Fr. 376), and those that are uncirculated and have low serial numbers are particularly desirable. In 2005, one with serial number B2 and in great condition sold for $299,000.
The 1882 gold certificate is extremely rare and sought after by collectors, as there are only four known specimens in Fr. 1191. In 2006, one in excellent shape with clear printing and sharp details brought $299,000.
The Fr. 151 $50 1869 legal money is another extremely uncommon bill that is nearly impossible to locate in uncirculated form. This sample is clear and uncluttered and appears to have never been shared. In 2016, it brought $223,250 at auction.