Board
Break - A result of a partially broken impression cylinder. Sometimes
extreme pressure from strikes or passes can cause fatigued areas and
cause the cylinder to either compress or crack resulting in this type
of error. |
Double
Denomination - The
King of Paper Money Errors!
A face printed with one denomination and the back of the note printed
with another denomination. VERY RARE and fascinating. This error commands
a GIANT PREMIUM! |
Faulty
Alignments - Improper
alignment of printed design. Very easily identified. One side of the
note is usually centered very well as compared to the other. Dramatic
errors of this type are few and far between. |
Ink
Errors - Smears,
smudges, spills, overinked plates, underinked plates, etc.. One of
the most common errors found. Can range from a small fine line to
a obliteration of the design. Many of these errors have been faked,
but they are distinguishable mostly by "feel". |
Inverted
Backs - When
the back of the note appears to be printed upside down!
Rarely noticed ... upon independent examination of each side, the
note appears normal. Feeding in sheets upside down after the first
printing by BEP operators causes this. |
Obstructions
- When
a foreign object somehow comes between the paper and the printing
plate during production, often leaving a blank area on one isolated
portion of the note. Sometimes collectors obtain the obstruction as
well, making the find even most lucrative! |
Offset
Printings - Impressive
errors that look like one side of the note "bled" through
the other side.
The offset or Wet Ink Transfer places a mirror image on the wrong
side of the note. Often called "blanket impressions" Some
printing errors are more distinguishable that others.
|
Overprints
(Inverted, Misaligned and Missing) - Bizarre
and Unusual looking appearance of the overprint
(Seal and Serial Numbers) This happens to be an "inverted overprint",
but at times the overprint is missing altogether or misaligned. |
Mismatched
Serial Numbers - Serial
Numbers sometimes malfunction due to mechanical
failure. The failure for one serial number digit to rotate
will cause a mismatch of the two printed numbers on the face of the
note. Sometimes tough to spot. |
Stuck
Digits - Digit
on serial number occasionally gets stuck and does not fully rotate.
Much like the odometer on your car between miles being recorded. Another
error mostly due to mechanical failure. |
Cutting
Errors - Miscuts
arising during the terminal stage of production due to blades, paper
jams, etc... Often these errors have been "faked"
by those looking to "create" an error and sell on the open
market for a premium. |
Gutter
Folds - Characterized
by a blank, unprinted white channel interrupting
the face, back or overprint. Often caused by a deep wrinkle in the
paper as it received an image. Relatively common ... and often, multiple
folds are present. |
Multiple
Errors - Sometimes
multiple errors can appear on a note. Combining the probability of
the specific type of errors will determine its rarity. These notes
are very desirable by collectors often baffling the novice. |
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