Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/4/2009

Question
I have a $8 dollar bill: 1913 Carmi A. Thompson; it has a blue seal and can not find anything about it. I was told that in this year when the The Federal Reserve Bank was introduced, they release 500 of these bills for a local bank for circulation, but recalled them back. Only 3 were release to bank customers. I did not buy this bill, it was given to me by my great great grandfather and he made me promise never to ask questions about it, but I can not find anything on the net about this bill. Anyone?

Answer
Hello Jason,                    

I do have catalogs of US Currency. None have the note you describe.
There was never an “$8 dollar bill in 1913” or any other year. There were no Federal Reserve Notes or Silver certificates ever printed in that denomination.

What Size is the Note in inches?
What designs are on the front and back of the note?

If you can post a picture of the note I may be able to help identify it.
The series date a note has is not the date it is made.

The name you gave Carmi A. Thompson, he lived in cleaveland, and was a republican in Ohio. He even ran for political office, but this would not enable him to sign notes or issue any on a federal level.

He was indeed Treasurer of the USA from 11-22-1912 to 3-31-1913 for a full 4 months. Again it would have taken longer tha this for a law to pass issuing the $8 dollar not you describe.

This is likely a fantasy note.

Write me again if you get a photo on-line.

Good Luck,
PapaJack