Collection PL

United States 1929 - 5 Dollars Type 1 National Bank Note - The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas Charter 13076 (Friedberg 1800-1)

Circulated five-dollar note from The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076), Series of 1929 Type 1. This example represents the true working currency of the Great Plains during the Depression years-money that passed through farms, shops, and local hands in northwest Kansas at a time when the nation’s economy was in flux. Read more →

United States 1996 - 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Insufficient Inking Error (Friedberg 2175-G)

Insufficient inking errors of this magnitude are extremely uncommon on 100 Dollar notes. High-denomination sheets were printed under the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s most rigorous quality-control protocols, and nearly all examples showing such severe defects were intercepted and destroyed. This survivor is therefore not only visually dramatic but also a rare testament to the limits of quality assurance at a time when the BEP was modernizing production with computer-assisted presses and updated ink formulations. Read more →

United States 1996 - 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Insufficient Inking Error (Friedberg 2126-G)

Errors of this severity are highly uncommon on mid- to high-denomination issues. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s late 1990s modernization program introduced automated inspection and improved quality monitoring, but rare lapses still occurred, particularly when print runs were transitioning between older and newer press systems. Inconsistent ink application or uneven plate pressure could yield localized under-inking, creating the ghosted design seen here. Read more →

United States 1993 - 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note New York District Insufficient Inking Error (Friedberg 2079-B)

This kind of production fault is caused when the intaglio plate receives too little ink or when the wiping cloth removes excess pigment unevenly across the surface. Because each sheet is printed under heavy pressure, insufficient ink application yields these pale, ghost-like impressions. Severe cases like this one are very seldom seen in high-denomination modern notes, as they typically fail Bureau of Engraving and Printing quality-control inspection. Read more →

United States 1950A - 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Butterfly Fold Error (Friedberg 2011-G)

This 1950A 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2011-G, GB Block) displays a striking Butterfly Fold Error, one of the most visually dramatic mechanical mishaps encountered in modern U.S. currency production. During printing, a corner of the paper was unintentionally folded over, causing part of the note’s design to print on the folded flap and leaving an unprinted void once the fold was later unfolded. The result is a note with a pronounced triangular blank area extending beyond the normal border, creating the distinct 'butterfly wing' appearance that gives this error its name. Read more →

United States 1988A - 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Philadelphia District Insufficient Inking on Face Error (Friedberg 2028-C)

This 1988A 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Philadelphia District (Friedberg 2028-C, CA Block) exhibits a major Insufficient Inking Error across its face printing. The left and right '10' denomination medallions, top border inscriptions, and parts of the ornamental scrollwork show extreme fading, with many engraved lines barely visible. The green Treasury seal and serial numbers remain sharp and fully inked, confirming that the fault occurred during the black intaglio printing pass, prior to the overprint stage. Read more →

United States 1995 - 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note San Francisco District Insufficient Ink on Face Error (Friedberg 1985-L)

Although the PCGS label describes the note as “Underinking on Face,” the more technically precise classification per Bureau of Engraving and Printing standards is 'Insufficient Inking Error.' In such cases, the wiping cylinder or inking roller fails to properly recharge with fresh ink between sheets, leaving sections of the design starved of pigment. The engraved lines, especially in high-relief portrait zones, appear flat and lack their usual depth and sheen. Read more →

United States 1985 - 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Cleveland District Insufficient Inking on Back Error (Friedberg 1978-D)

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. Read more →

United States 1988A - 1 Dollar Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Insufficient Inking Error (Friedberg 1915-G)

While minor under-inking is occasionally seen on low-denomination issues, examples this pronounced are rare in the modern era-especially when preserved in high grade. The note’s pale upper register provides an instructive look into the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s mechanical process during the late 1980s. At the time, the BEP was operating high-speed presses that printed both faces in successive passes; a deviation in ink viscosity, plate temperature, or wiping pressure could yield the kind of ghosted areas evident here. Read more →

United States 1993 - 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Printed Tear Error (Friedberg 2080-G)

This 1993 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2080-G, GA Block) represents one of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s most visually dynamic mechanical failures-a genuine Printed Tear Error, preserved in fully original condition. The note exhibits two sharply folded and partially torn corners that became creased before entering the final printing pass. When the sheet was fed into the intaglio press, the torn and folded segments prevented ink from transferring to those areas, leaving distinctive blank voids and offset impressions once unfolded. Read more →

United States 1929 - 20 Dollars Type 1 National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Youngstown, Ohio Charter 3 (Fr. 1802-1)

Low-charter national. The First National Bank of Youngstown operated under Charter 3, a single-digit charter number issued in the opening days of the National Banking era. Early charters are coveted because they document the very first adopters of the 1863 National Banking system and their numbers stayed with the bank through every redesign and consolidation. Read more →

United States 1902 - 5 Dollars Blue Seal Plain Back National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Youngstown, Ohio Charter 3 (Friedberg 600)

Format: Series of 1902 Blue Seal Plain Back, $5. Portrait of President Benjamin Harrison at left, blue Treasury seal and blue Treasury serial Z929031D, with black bank serial 175660 at lower left. Engraved local officers sign along the bottom; the date line reads Apr 6, 1909. Federal signatures are Register of the Treasury William T. Vernon and Treasurer of the United States Charles H. Treat, the pair associated with Friedberg 600. The right margin shows the blue charter numeral 3, affirming the low‑charter status. Read more →