Web-press note check numbers and portrait differances

Daggarjon · Jul 27, 2009

a couple weeks ago, i posted some web notes to my site, and a conversation started between myself and TheNoost about the differances in the portraits and how those differances 'might' coorelate with the front or back plate numbers. For those who need a refresher on that topic, go to this thread: http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t60512/

ok Noost... i have some news for you about the images posted in the above thread! I sent an email to the BEP after this post progressed to see what info they could provide... here is what i sent, and their repsponses:

My initial inquiry

I am looking for information on web-press notes issued in the 1988A, 1993 and 1995 series. Specifically, i am looking for information on what the front and back plate numbers were used for, why different portraits were used and how were they tracked? I have serached the internet for months and have found very little beyond rumors and conjecture. The numismatic community has a large collector base that collects these long forgotten notes. For myself and the rest who collect these notes, I wish to put together as much information as possible to fully explain and possibly expell the rumors.

I appreciate any information that could help.
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the BEP first sent a 'stock' response with 400 links to the BEP website and archived pages. I did check each page, and about half were duplicate link. None turned out to be even closely related to my initial email. Once done, i clicked another link in the email to let the BEP their stock email didnt answer my question.

here is the response i got from the BEP:

There is much information on the internet about webnotes. See the results of a sample inquiry for "web note currency": http://www.quadrigaancients.com/web/

You may also wish to address an inquiry to the American Numismatic Association (www.money.org) for information and references. The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to educating and encouraging people to study and collect money and related items.

Thanks,

BEP
Moneyfactory.gov
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Because the BEP doesnt let you respond to their emails, i could not just reply that the info they provided didnt answer my initial inquiry. So i started the process over by sending a fresh email to the BEP, only this time i provided all the info from the email 'string' up to that point. Again i got the stock email lol

here is my 2nd email to the BEP:

Thank you for your response. The website link you provided is a staple to any web note collector. However, even the author of that website raises questions for the reasoning behind some of the elements in the design of web notes in relation to the plate numbers. My inquiry to the BEP was in hopes of finding answers to some of those questions.

Does each front plate number correspond to a different portrait of George Washington? Are their any other changes in the design or printing technique that corresponds to the plate numbers?

Were there any design changes that corresponded to the back plate number?

Any web note collector can easily see on the notes that there are subtle differences in the design of the note that 'seem' to correlate to the plate numbers. I am hoping to find answers that say yes or no to these questions.

In case you might be collecting links to sites with some nice presentation of information relating to web notes, http://www.usmintquarters.com/webnotes.htm is one such site, and also provides an excellent search tool with every plate combo for each block and series.

But neither the site I listed nor the site you provided answer the questions I asked. On the website you provided, the author writes :

These tiny "check numbers" on web notes, as far as anyone can guess, may indicate different ink mixtures, different printing pressures, or some other information about the printing process. After handling many webs, particularly from the 1988A series, I've noticed that each front check number seems to bring a distinctive "look" to the note, particularly when it comes to George's portrait."

Is there any information you can provided into the use of the plate numbers, and what the use of such numbers corresponded to?
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and here is a response i just recieved the other day:

In reviewing the limited material we have in our archives on the Hamilton web press, it appears that the BEP did not redesign the basic layout of the face and back of the $1 FRN. The only changes to the design were the removal of the plate location number and letters on the face of the note, and the relocation of the plate number above the letter "E" in the word "ONE" on the back.

The portrait of George Washington was not changed.

Printing via a web process for currency was a new technology for the BEP. Cylinders of 96 notes were used to print on a continuous roll of paper and there may well be differences in the printing pressure, ink, etc, but that is a distinctly different issue from a design change.

Thank you,

BEP
Moneyfactory.gov
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So thankfully they did answer one of my original questions. As far as the BEP is concerned, their is NO 'intentional' differance in the portriat, or any design aspect of the note, that correlates to the the plate numbers.

but ... their last response leaves me asking if their was intentional variations to the printing pressue that relates to the plate numbers?

if not design changes... what do the plate numbers realte to? Why change them if a plate number or combo does not track anything?

So in the end, although i am greatfull the BEP did finally provide an answer, i am a bit disapointed they did not willingly provide answers to all questions i brought up.

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TheNoost · Jul 27, 2009

Daggarjon, thanks for posting your research and findings! I felt the same way with the response I got from the mint as well. Answer 1 question and create a few more. I wonder if you told them you were with the ANA, would they provide more insight?

Daggarjon · Jul 28, 2009

I think it more depends on exactly 'who' responds. The tone of each email i got was comepletely different. If they were by the same person, the would have to be manic-deppressive lol warm and friendly 1 day, ice cold the next.

TheNoost · Jul 28, 2009

Lol

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