I got this while working a register.. how can I tell if this is real? Would one of those markers be useful? And if it is real, what could it be worth? Thank u!
One of those markers: It contains an iodine solution that reacts with the starch in wood-based paper to create a black stain. When the solution is applied to the fiber-based paper used in real bills, no discoloration occurs. If you are talking about the wide margin on your bill, it's probably not large enough. Ideally you would like to see the edge of the next note in that wide margin. Now as for counterfeit detection, the 1's don't carry watermarks or security threads. But there are ways to tell if it is real or not. 1. Generally 1's are not counterfeited. 2. When you handle money it has a certain "feel" to it. 3. You can look for little blue and red threads in the bill. 4. If the note is crisp, and you can strike a match by running it across the bottom (I have done this, it works) it is real. (However you could damage a valuable bill. Only do this on a face value bill.) 5. If it looks genuine it most likely is. Your bill is worth a dollar. Always post both sides. Sometimes there is information on the other side that can be helpful in making a value guess.
It was hand cut after it left the BEP from a sheet. The high serial number gives it away. Genuine note. OP’s note
Thank u all I was just wondering if it was fake and if it was worth more than $1.. I've never seen such a ragged cut
Someone bought an uncut sheet of these notes- (In the 1980s sheets with higher serials began being sold to collectors), and cut it either to look like an error, or just for fun. Your note is definitely real.
Personally, I disagree with using iodine markers or the "match test". These are inefficient and foolish methods of counterfeit detection, as they damage potentially valuable notes. The only way to tell with $1s and notes printed before 1990 is to feel the paper, or look for fibers dispersed throughout the note.
