Specimen Note and Replacement Notes

What is a Specimen Note?

Answer:
A specimen note is a sample note, usually with a special serial number (i.e. an all-zero serial number such as 000000) and an overprint or perforation with the word "Specimen" in the language of the country of origin. Some specimen notes have punch holes at the corners or centre of the note, while others come without any serial numbers. Specimen notes are usually distributed to banks, treasuries and law enforcement agencies to familiarize them with newly issued currency. They are not intended to be used as actual currency.

What are Replacement Notes?

Answer:
Replacement notes are notes issued to replace damaged notes. These notes usually have a star, asterisk or special prefix in the serial number to indicate that they are replacements. Due to their scarcity, they can command a significant premium over regular issued notes.