Collection

United States 1996 — 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 2126-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 2079-B) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 2011-G) Butterfly Fold Error, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 2028-C) Insufficient Inking on Face Error, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

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, Los Angeles District (Friedberg 1985-L) Insufficient Inking on Face Error, PCGS 58 PPQ Choice About New

A dramatic production flaw on this 1995 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Los Angeles 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 (Friedberg 1978-D) Insufficient Inking on Back Error, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 1915-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

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 (Friedberg 2080-G) Printed Tear Errors, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

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 1935D — 1 Dollar Silver Certificate (Friedberg 1613N, YE Block) Radar Serial Number Y88866888E, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

This 1935D 1 Dollar Silver Certificate (Friedberg 1613N, YE Block) combines classic blue-seal artistry with one of the most coveted numerical patterns in modern U.S. small-size currency — a Radar Serial Number. The serial Y88866888E reads the same forward and backward, forming a perfect numerical palindrome that collectors universally prize for its rarity and visual symmetry. ... Read more →

United States 1935D — 1 Dollar Silver Certificate (Friedberg 1613W, IF Block) Butterfly Fold Error, PMG 58 EPQ Choice About Uncirculated

This 1935D 1 Dollar Silver Certificate (Friedberg 1613W, IF Block) presents an exceptional Butterfly Fold Error, a visually dramatic mechanical mishap that occurred during the printing process at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. A portion of the note’s corner was inadvertently folded over before printing, causing part of the design to print on the folded flap while leaving a blank triangular void once the paper was unfolded. The result is a note that physically displays the three-dimensional evidence of its own creation error. ... Read more →

United States 1974 — 1 Dollar Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 1908-G, GD Block) Paper Jam Error, PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine

This 1974 1 Dollar Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 1908-G, GD Block) presents a distinct Paper Jam Error—an uncommon and revealing production mishap that occurs when the currency paper fails to feed smoothly through the intaglio press or overprint unit. The result is a wrinkled or crumpled section of paper that becomes permanently flattened into the design, often distorting part of the printed image or leaving telltale creases and folds embedded beneath the ink. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s multi-stage process involves extremely fine tolerances, with paper sheets passing at high speed through multiple presses—first for back printing, then face, and finally for seals and serials. ... Read more →