why is there a * at the end of the serial numbers on American currency and not on others? What do they mean?

Answer 1

Star Notes

When an imperfect note is detected during the manufacturing process after the serial number has been overprinted, it must be replaced with a new note. A "star" note is used to replace the imperfect note. Reusing that exact serial number to replace the imperfect note is costly and time consuming. The "star" note has its own special serial number followed by a star in place of a suffix letter.

The serial number of the imperfect note that was removed is not used again in the same numbering sequence.

Answer 2

That means that the original bill was damaged and destroyed and what you are seeing is a reprinted bill with the same serial number.