Collection PL

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 →

United States 1974 - 1 Dollar Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District Paper Jam Error (Friedberg 1908-G, GD Block)

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 →

Australia 1965 - Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited 10 Dollars Travellers Cheque Approved Design Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Approved design proof for the 10 Dollars traveller's cheque prepared by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Dated 15 June 1965 and annotated "As Submitted - Approved," this proof represents the accepted design direction for the bank's decimal-era traveller's cheque programme. Its light green colour, carefully balanced security background, centred Australia map vignette, and restrained corporate typography show the refined form reached during the June 1965 approval stage. ... Read more →

Australia 1965 - Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited 20 Dollars Travellers Cheque Rejected Design Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Rejected design proof for the 20 Dollars traveller's cheque prepared by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Submitted on 23 March 1965 and later annotated in the left margin "Not approved, letter 12.4.65," this sheet preserves the first formal 20 Dollars design presented within the bank's important 1965 three-denomination traveller's cheque sequence. It stands at the heart of the documented approval trail that links the March submitted designs to the later June revision phase and, ultimately, to the approved 10 Dollars proof of 15 June 1965. ... Read more →

Australia 1965 - Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited 50 Dollars Travellers Cheque Rejected Design Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Rejected design proof for the 50 Dollars traveller's cheque prepared by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Submitted on 23 March 1965 and annotated in the left margin "Not approved, letter 12.4.65," this sheet preserves the top denomination from the first formal design stage of the bank's 1965 traveller's cheque programme. It forms the high-value counterpart to the 20 Dollars rejected design proof submitted on the same date, and together the two pieces define the March 1965 submitted design direction within the surviving Bradbury Wilkinson proof-room sequence. ... Read more →

Australia 1961 - Bank of New South Wales Sterling Travellers Cheques, Complete Printer’s Proof Set £2-£50 (Pick Unlisted)

A complete archival printer’s proof set of five Sterling Traveller’s Cheques produced by Bradbury Wilkinson & Company in London for the Bank of New South Wales in April 1961. The set comprises the full denomination range - 2 Pounds, 5 Pounds, 10 Pounds, 20 Pounds, and 50 Pounds - preserved together from a single, documented submission event within the printer’s internal approval and numbering workflow. Each sheet displays the finished engraved face design adopted by the Bank of New South Wales for its early-1960s traveller’s cheque issue. ... Read more →