Expert: Ronald Fern - 1/25/2011

Question
ONE BILL HAS A STAIN ON 1/2 OF THE BILL ACROSS IT 1996 SERIES
THE OTHER IS STAINED ACROSS THE ENTIRE BILL 2003 SERIES
1 DOLLAR BILL HAS A STAIN 1/3 ACROSS THE BACK OF THE BILL

ARE THEY WORTH MORE THAN FACE VALUE? THANK YOU JIM  PH.
can't figure how to attach picture, do you have an email address I can send separately?

Answer
Hi Jim:

Thanks for your question. You can send a photo to coingye@yahoo.com.

Inking error are fairly common on currency. Most collectors limit their bills to $20 and under, due to the face value of the note. Hundred dollar notes are not collected by a lot of people because of the high value of the original note. The condition is very important in establishing the value of a note. The retail value of your note would likely be in the $125 to $175 range.

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

Bills are printed in sheets of 36 notes and in three phases. Reverse print, obverse print, and serial numbers with seal print. It sounds like you may have a first and second printing operation error where at least one sheet (for each error) was over inked. These errors were missed in the final printing, serial number application, cutting and the inspection process. There may be several other notes similar to yours that escaped into circulation.

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

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

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

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the 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. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.