A star in front of or after the serial number on any US bill (not just a silver certificate) means it was printed to replace a bill that was damaged during production.
The damaged bills cause a break in the serial number sequence of their print run. Because bills are printed in large groups it would be very difficult to re-use missing serial numbers; each bill would have to be reprinted individually. Instead, the replacement notes have their own set of serial numbers with a star instead of one of the letters to indicate that their status.
The number is called a plate serial number. All bills have them, not just silver certificates. Bills are printed in groups using large printing plates and sheets of paper that are then cut apart into individual notes. The serial number indicates which plate was used to print a specific set of bills. The front of each bill also includes a plate position indicator that tells where it was located in the group.
Bills printed from 1928 till 1957 (the last series year) will have the words Silver Certificate printed across the top of the bill's front. In most but not all cases, the seal and serial numbers will be printed in blue ink. Some special WWII bills may have brown or yellow seals. Older (pre-1928) bills may be more difficult to identify. Some will say Silver Certificate, but others may use words such as "5 silver dollars" or "one dollar in silver coins", etc.
Please don't assume that every old bill must be a silver certificate. The bill's red ink as well as the banner across the top of its front side indicate that it's a United States Note rather than a silver certificate. (In fact, the last $2 SC's were issued in 1899.) Please see the Related Question for more information.
It is worth quite a bit. Check with a paper money error specialist! Maybe $2000 or more.
To check the serial number of a 2 bill, look for the number printed on the front of the bill, typically located in the top right and bottom left corners. Compare this number to known counterfeit lists or databases to verify its authenticity.
ere on a marriage certificate is the serial number
About $9 - $10 if it is in uncirculated condition.
The value of a 1957 silver certificate dollar bill with a star in front of the serial number depends on its condition. In circulated condition, it may be worth slightly above face value to collectors. In uncirculated condition, it could be worth around $10-20 to collectors. The specific serial number does not significantly impact the value in this case.
It will have the words Silver Certificate printed across the top of the bill's front. In most but not all cases, the seal and serial numbers will be printed in blue ink.
Silver certificates issued from 1928 to 1957 are easy to identify. They have distinctive blue seals and serial numbers, and the words "Silver Certificate" are across the top of the bill's front. Older bills may or may not say "Silver Certificate", but will have some reference to "Payable in silver", "Redeemable in Silver Coin", or similar phrasing.
In average condition a 1935C silver certificate would retail for $2 to $3. As you have seen from other postings, a bill's serial number almost never affects its value. Condition, date, and series letter are much more important.
The 1899 $5.00 Silver Certificate is a very highly sought after note. It could be worth several hundred to a thousand dollars, depending upon the condition of the bill.This particular certificate had a very short mintage and was the last $5 note issued before the Lincoln portrait began to grace the front as the central design.BTW - did you know that this certificate was the only one to feature a Native American as the central design? The Indian featured in the design of the $5.00 certificate is Chief Running Antelope, wearing his full, magnificient headress. It is quite a work of art, don't you think?
The silver union star in front of the serial number on new, colour post-2004, $50 bills is a security feature of the note to make counterfeiting more difficult. A small star after the serial number an any denomination indicates that the original note had a printing error and was replaced.
A star note is any US bill, not just a silver certificate, that has a star instead of a letter at the start or end of its serial number. Star notes are printed to replace a bill that had a defect and was destroyed. Because bills are printed in large groups it's impractical to reprint specific serial numbers. Instead, a new set of serial numbers is started and a star is added to indicate that these notes are replacements. Collectors generally prefer star notes and it may make the bill be worth a bit more.
Is this a rare or normal silver certificate?
It's difficult to say without knowing its date and serial number, but $1 star notes are generally only worth a dollar or so above their standard-numbered counterparts. Assuming you have a 1935 or 1957 series bill, in poor condition it would be unlikely to sell for more than face value without a star, so you might figure on only $1.50 to $2.00 retail for your note, and face value for a wholesale price.
If it has red printing(*) the bill can't be a silver certificate. All 1953 silver certificates had blue seals and serial numbers. If you check the front of the bill it should say United States Note across the top rather than Silver Certificate. Please see the Related Question for more information. (*) To clear up terminology, bills are said to be printed rather than "stamped".