Has anybody seen a printing error like this or have info on how this could happen?? I could find no information on this. The number on the reverse of the note is 986 and the number on misprint is 990. And any guess of value would be interesting to know, thank you for looking.
It is an offset transfer error. It happens when a sheet is misfed and the plate comes in contact with the blanket the sheet sits on when printed. The impression is left on the sheet and picked up by the next bunch of sheets that pass through the press. The back plate number is not the same because more than one plate is on the press at one time.
So if I'm understanding this correctly there could be other notes printed with the exact same error? And wouldn't the mint not allow these to be let into circulation??
Very nice note, it is not that the bill folded and the reverse was printed on that area. It looks that a note was off center and when the presses printed the off center note part of the note was not completely in the place where the plate strikes the note and the the reverse and obverse plate hit each other in that gap. The same as how a die clash coin is made.
Paper money is not printed like coins are minted. The back side is printed first. The intaglio print on the face is printed second on a completely different press. Finally, the seals and serial number are added on a third press. In other words, the face and back plates are not even on the same press. So, no, your explanation is not possible.
Yes, this is actually one of the more common errors. There may be a handful of notes in sequence with this one that have the same error. The impression will be strongest on the first one and get lighter as more sheets pass through. The mint would never allow such a thing because the mint does not produce paper money. The BEP does. Sometimes they get through QC.
Search for "error notes" in current and Archived, Heritage Auction listings. There are lots of interesting error notes out there and each Lot has a short mention of what the error is. Accounts are free with Heritage, so you can also see what such notes are selling for now and sold for in past auctions. It might help you get a value on them. A word of caution with error notes, if the price looks too good to be true or you can't understand how something came to be an error (such as in an eBay listing), it might be a faked error note. Since errors bring a fair premium, that attracts some who might try to create an error note for sale.
Thanks, couldn't find any error notes at Heritage but found similar off-set error notes on Ebay with prices all over the map - not interested in selling just wondering - way to cool to ever get rid of!!
... You have to look more carefully! They've had scads of auctions over the years. Perhaps if none are selling now/recently, you have to sort the search results, and check the "Archived - sold" lots. See if this Heritage LINK works for a variety of error notes they've sold. I would advise gathering info from major auction houses other than eBay results for determining value.
Markus - In that condition, a partial back to front offset error is worth maybe $60. Glad to hear you are keeping it.
