These are two consecutively numbered 1995 $20 FRN's completely missing the first printing. It's my understanding that the usual cause for a missed printing is two sheets stuck together, so it's relatively rare to get two consecutive sheets that miss a printing completely. The likely culprit for these two is that the blank sheets were put back in the wrong pallet following an inspection, followed by a close second possibiliity of three sheets being fed at once for the first printing. What also adds to the rarity is that by the nineties, there were both electronic and human inspections for errors. There is an automatic step where the notes are fed passed an inpecting station where they are flipped giving two inspectors a chance to see the complete FACE and BACK of each sheet prior to the overprinting being applied. I did buy these notes at auction, but it appears that they came out of an ATM machine as evidenced by the marker along the top edge. It is commone for ATM cartridges to have identifying information and inspector information to be written directly on the edges of the notes. One thing I like to do to someone who is just seeing my collection for the first time is to hand them a normal 1995 $20 FRN and one of these errors in such a way that they can't see the reverse. While using body language to imply that the error is on the front, I would tell them that one of the two notes has a CRUCIAL ERROR that any person with an IQ above 80 can see. I try to see how long I can get them to study the faces of the two notes trying to figure out which one has the error. The longer it takes them to find the error, the better the look on their face, especially if they give up and ask me to point it out to them.
I bought these at the same time at an auction. Don't remember which one and don't remember how much. But I do remember seeing them and telling myself I HAD TO HAVE THEM (not the best thing for collecting on a budget)
Wow, what a find. But rest assured that whoever "just has to have it" next will undoubtedly pay much more than you did.
Gatzdon, Not only extraordinary errors but I love how you show these to people so they can figure it out. Been known to do that myself on occasion and it's amazing how many DON'T figure it out.
my boss has a $1 bill with the back blank. i don't know anything about it except that, but how much would it be worth?
It depends on the condition, but I would not take anything less than $200 from a dealer, and that dealer may get as much as $400 from a retail customer. Since starting this thread, I was motivated to get an idea of the value. Since mine are consecutive serial numbers, I imagine they add a premium, but only for the right buyer.
Very unique errors Gatzdon... Do you recall the auction details? I would be interested in that. You might want to start a log/record of the cost of the notes you purchase. I have done this and file everything for when the day comes..that info will be crucial! Great notes!! RickieB
I don't even remember which auction company, let alone any of the details. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
