I visited my local bank to withdraw cash for rent yesterday, and the other teller asked me if I'd like to have the $140 in $2's that someone deposited earlier (I'm one of the few regulars who ask for $2's). I said of course, thank you! Not only did I receive 12 $2 bills from pre-1976, but two of them were series I didn't have. 1953C Red Seal, very crisp and clean (AU grade?) 1953B Orange(?) Seal, old and wrinkled and written on (Fine Grade?) I'm going to guess that the Orange Seal used to be a Red Seal, but the color just faded over time? I've never heard of an orange seal before.
Interesting orange seal. I don't believe organe was ever used, especiall for series 1953B. Must be just some odd wear and fading.
I have read that the original red seal, once exposed to certain chemical fumes, will turn orange. There are, to my knowledge no orange seals except for the Africa & Hawaii.
It's an interesting oddity but if you decide to ever sell it, make sure for the buyers sake you mention that this note was altered intentionally or not. I have seen these on ebay from time to time and listed as rare which is simply false.
The BEP never used orange ink for seals and serial numbers. I suspect the note has been chemically altered.
The seals on North Africa notes are yellow (hence the name yellow seals) and on Hawaii notes are brown.
