Expert: Ronald Fern - 5/19/2010

Question
hello Mr. fern,
       i have a 1977 1 dollar bill with the back printing showing very clearly thru the front almost like it was printed there only the top of the back came thru would this be worth anything thank you.               sincerely Deborah

Answer
Hi Deborah:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your question.

From the description, your bill sounds like one of the "scarcer" error notes. If you want to send a follow-up question, with a photo, I'll revise my answer, if required.  A lot depends on the condition as well as the amount of "over print" on the back of the note and it's strength.

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 only one sheet was printed with the "over print" from the second phase of printing. The sheet was partially missing, causing the reverse to print partially the obverse of your sheet when the reverse was being printed. Your sheet, with the error(s), went unnoticed during the last printing, cutting and final inspection phase. There may have been several others with a similar, but different amount of reverse printing on the obverse, with an error like yours.

A bill in crisp Uncirculated condition like yours would have a value of approximately $200 to $350 to an interested error collector. Circulated notes would likely bring about $50 to $100 retail.

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 history of the $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.

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. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.