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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/misprint
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Question
I have a dollar bill that is green on one side and yellow-gold on reverse,is it worth anything?
Hi Donna:
Thank you for your question.
You do not say the date, series or condition of your dollar bill, but I've seen this type of item before. Your bill was almost certainly exposed to something, perhaps bleach or detergent, that took out the blue component of the green ink leaving yellow. Some ink is not affected by the bleach when the bill is washed. Your bill was likely left in a pocket when it went through the wash and dry cycle. You may want to try two experiments for yourself on two dollar bills. Take one directly and apply bleach to the back side and see what happens. Take another bill and run it through the wash and dry cycle. Compare the two to your "error" bill you asked about, and let me know. They are still spendable, so don't worry.
An interesting curiosity but no extra numismatic value.
Here's link for you to view different types of real error currency and their values.
Link: http://www.coinsite.com/html/uscurrencyerrors.asp
You may want to check US currency listings under errors on eBay from time to time to see if bills like yours are offered for sale, and what they bring.
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.
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Answers by Expert:
Ronald Fern
Expertise
I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.
Experience
Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.
Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG
Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News
Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964
BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968
Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.
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