Expert: Ronald Fern - 3/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have had a one dollar bill given to me by the father years ago that has Washington showing through on the back of the bill. its series 1969D. I would love to know its worth. I also have an article from the daily news from 1973 with what seems to be the same misprinted bill i have.  Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Karen:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your question.

When asking a question, especially with errors, always provide as much information about your piece as possible. This helps to pinpoint what you may have. Attaching a photo would also help. I'll answer your question as best I can, If you want to ask a follow up question by providing more information, I'll revise my answer or add to it.

Bills are printed in sheets of 36 notes and in three phases. Obverse print, reverse print, and serial numbers with seals print. It is likely your sheet had another sheet of bills or the separation sheet partially mis-fed during the second phase of printing, causing the wet ink to transfer onto your sheet. Your sheet, with the errors, went unnoticed during the cutting and final inspection phase. There are likely several others in your group that may have been printed with a similar error.

A bill in crisp Uncirculated condition like yours would have a value of approximately $150 to $300 to an interested error collector.

Here's a link for currency grading: http://www.cganotes.com/

Here's link for you to view different types of error currency and their values.

Link: http://www.coinsite.com/html/uscurrencyerrors.asp

Here's a link with information on FRN's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note

Here's a link for $1 bills: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_one-dollar_bill

You may want to check US currency listings under error notes on eBay from time to time to see if your error is listed what this type of error note brings.

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to it's value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your bills to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for help. Sorry I didn't send more info. The bill has been in a plastic holder for about 30 years. I am attaching a copy of the bill for your inspection. I also have an article that my father saved from the Daily News in April of 1973 regarding a similar dollar bill. I've seen similar bills on ebay ranging from $100 to $15000. I'm sure I could find a reputable shop as I live in the NYC metro area. Any further info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Again, Karen:

Thanks for the photos and follow-up question. Please remember to rate both this and the first question I answered yesterday. I spend a lot of time doing research and answering questions, and rating it the only way my time and effort is recognized.

Your photos confirm what I originally stated your error is, a wet ink transfer. It is a later stage error, and the print transfer is rather weak. The bill appears to be uncirculated. I stand by my estimate of $100 to $300 to an interested collector. Your range of up to $1500 for this type of error is not realistic for this piece.

I've restated the link to find a local PNG dealer. http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Thank You again, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.