Collection PL

United States 1929 – American Bank Note Company Test Note, 10 Units, Green Series of 1929 With Watermark and Segmented Foil Security Thread

This engraved test note by the American Bank Note Company (ABNCo) represents one of the firm’s most enduring demonstration designs, known as the 'Series of 1929' specimen. Although dated 1929, these were printed decades later-primarily in the 1960s and 1970s-as house proofs and sales samples showcasing engraving precision, watermark technology, and later innovations such as foil-thread anti-counterfeiting devices. The layout follows classic ABNCo symmetry: a central allegorical portrait of Liberty, derived from earlier U.S. ... Read more →

United States 1929 - Uncut Pair of $5 Type 2 National Bank Notes with 1944 Bank Letter – The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas Charter 13076 W.D. Ferguson Provenance (Friedberg 1800-1)

Uncut consecutive pair of Series of 1929 Type 2 five-dollar National Bank Notes from The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076), accompanied by the original 1944 letter of transmittal from the bank’s president, W. D. Ferguson. ... Read more →

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

This 1996 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G, AGB Block) presents one of the most striking examples of an Insufficient Inking Error recorded on a modern U.S. high-denomination note. The entire reverse is drastically under-inked: the normally bold depiction of Independence Hall appears as a pale, incomplete impression, with architectural outlines faintly visible but lacking depth and saturation. ... Read more →

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

This 1996 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2126-G, AGB Block) demonstrates a dramatic Insufficient Inking Error affecting the left side of the obverse. The portrait of Ulysses S. Grant remains fully defined, yet the surrounding text, borders, and background show substantial ink loss, fading into near blankness. ... Read more →

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

This 1993 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the New York District (Friedberg 2079-B, BD Block) is a superbly preserved example of an Insufficient Inking Error that drastically weakens the reverse printing. The normally dark green depiction of the White House appears faint and washed out, with many architectural and background details missing. Only fragments of the design-such as the central columns, the inscription 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the denomination numerals-remain clearly visible. ... 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. ... 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)

A dramatic production flaw on this 1995 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the San Francisco District (Friedberg 1985-L, L Block) reveals an Intaglio Insufficient Inking Error - a condition in which portions of the face plate failed to receive adequate ink during printing. The result is a visibly faded or incomplete impression across the left side of the note, most noticeable in the top and bottom '5' corner medallions and border scrollwork. The green Treasury seal and serial numbers remain fully struck, confirming that the error occurred during the black intaglio face pass, prior to the overprint stage. ... 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. This form of printing error occurs when the intaglio press cylinder is inadequately charged with ink before an impression cycle. ... Read more →

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

This 1988A 1 Dollar Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 1915-G, GE Block) displays a dramatic Insufficient Inking Error that left much of the upper design on the obverse faint or missing. The portrait of George Washington remains clear and fully struck, but the border engraving, serial zone, and areas above the central vignette show patchy or absent ink transfer. This occurred during the intaglio face printing pass when the plate failed to receive an even ink layer or when the wiping cylinder overcleaned the plate prior to impression. ... 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 →

Uruguay 1939 - Departamento de Emision del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1 Peso Serie A Specimen, Specimen No. 41 (Pick 35as)

Issued by the Departamento de Emision del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay, this 1939 one peso specimen preserves the completed Serie A form of the lowest denomination in Uruguay's unified interwar banknote series. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited, the note carries all-zero serial numbers, the separately printed designation Specimen No. 41, and a black oval printer control stamp identifying it as an official institutional reference example. ... Read more →