A numismatics expert has urged people to inspect their wallets for £5 King Charles III banknotes that could be worth significantly more than their face value. Social media personality Dan's Dollars highlighted the notes in a YouTube video, explaining that certain serial numbers are fetching thousands at auction.
What Makes These Notes Valuable?
The King Charles III £5 notes entered circulation on June 5, 2024. According to Dan, the value lies on the reverse side, which features former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He advised followers to look for rare serial numbers, primarily those beginning with CA01.
Dan noted that certain examples bearing these serial numbers are achieving upwards of £17,000 at auction. Currently, multiple CA01 £5 notes are listed on eBay with three-figure asking prices, while one carries a Buy It Now listing of £10,086.70.
Why CA01 Serial Numbers Are Scarce
Addressing a follower's question about what makes these notes scarce, Dan explained: "People hunt for CA01s - the first of the note released." The expert closed by encouraging viewers to share the serial numbers of their notes with him for a precise valuation.
Reactions from viewers were mixed. One wrote: "I've got one!" Another lamented: "I've had few Charles ones like this but didn't realise they were worth keeping." A sceptic commented: "Nobody actually buys them though. I have loads been collecting for a while but nothing ever sells online."
Market Response and Price Ranges
Dan countered the sceptic: "I can assure you they do, check sold on eBay. Happy hunting." When another critic dismissed the trend, saying "Don't think anyone's spending £17,000 for a £5," and a third declared "Anybody who pays more than face value for a note must be mad," Dan retorted: "CA01 000002 would sell for that if the King spent it. Three sold for £14,000 at auction. People like to collect rare notes and coins. I think people who buy Doritos when they aren't on offer are mad!"
While some notes can fetch thousands at auction, certain serial numbers are more sought-after than others. Standard or higher serial numbers fetch anywhere from £15 to over £500, while ultra-low serial numbers like CA01 000046 have achieved up to £2,800 on eBay in recent years.
