Is there such a thing as an ink transfer from one bill to another? This was shown to me and I can’t make sense of the reverse 5 in the corner and some of the other doubling. Any ideas? This unfortunately is my only photo.
Only photo, huh? That's unfortunate. Might be a Offset Printing or Offset Transfer Offset printed notes occur when an inked plate makes contact with the bed, often the cause of no sheet being fed to the press to accept the intended ink. As a result, when the next sheet passes through the press, the area impressed onto the impression cylinder is then pressed onto the opposite side of the note. Like others, this type of error can range from minor to a complete offset, with the latter being more desirable to collectors. While a rational theory, note that the errors described or pictured here are not caused by wet sheet transfer, or ink transferring from still-wet sheets to other sheets. Would like to see more to confirm, however.
Thanks for the explanation. These are sellers photos so if I end up with the lot I will post more. What sort of premium is there for such an error?
Judging from only the picture, it does look like an Offset Transfer. It appears to be a late stage and on a note that is pretty worn. Both the stage and the wear will affect the value. The transfer usually fades from dark condition to almost nothing visible in about 8 to ten printings. So, this note has brothers and sisters somewhere.
Offset transfers are always face-to-back or back-to-face. This is face-to-face, so it's post-BEP damage, not an error. Most likely the note was folded in half, face side in, and pressed together in a wallet that got wet/sweaty, so a bit of ink transferred from the left side to the right side (and probably vice versa). The distracting stray ink makes the note's value less, not more. Personally I'd recommend avoiding this damaged note and buying a nicer one for your collection -- but if you're looking for a low-end note, this one is fine if you can get it for cheap.
GOOD advice! How can you tell by this small Picture that it's face to face? The number 5 in the corner? I was suspicious as well.
I was wrong. As I was replying I was thinking "why is the questionable print area so far into the border when the back of the notes are smaller than the front". Then I apparently talked myself out of a rational explanation. Also, another telltale that it is not a transfer, is the printing next to the treasury seal is from the left half of the note, not the back.
