Description and research notes
A visually striking Insufficient Inking Error on this 1985 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Cleveland District (Friedberg 1978-D, DB Block) leaves nearly two-thirds of the reverse design ghosted or missing. The left portion of the intaglio printing—normally displaying the numeral '5,' frame ornamentation, and portions of the Lincoln Memorial vignette—shows only a faint outline where the press failed to transfer adequate ink to the paper.
This form of printing error occurs when the intaglio press cylinder is inadequately charged with ink before an impression cycle. As the inking roller rotates across the engraved plate, insufficient pigment causes a gradual fade from full saturation to near blankness, often affecting only one side of the sheet. The result is an unintentional 'gradient' effect across the note. Unlike plate wiping streaks or press roller skips, an Insufficient Inking Error affects the entire engraved recess, eliminating both texture and detail.
Certified PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated, this example is remarkable for its originality and unhandled surfaces—an uncommon state for major printing flaws. The clean right-side strike and pale left fields illustrate how precisely localized these inking lapses can be. The vivid contrast between the bold denomination at right and the faded left vignette makes this a reference example for educational and diagnostic purposes.
Such large-area insufficient inking errors are among the most revealing BEP production anomalies, offering collectors and researchers a direct look at the mechanical limits of high-speed intaglio printing. Few survive in gem-level condition, making this Cleveland District note a cornerstone piece for any serious study of modern United States printing errors.