The Coolest Error Notes: Part 2
Unusual, unexpected, and undeniably cool — dive into more of the most fascinating error notes ever printed.
Welcome to the second of three articles on the coolest error notes series! The fun continues with additional rare paper money errors.
In the October 2025 issue of Bank Note Reporter, I looked beyond the more common errors and focused on the unusual to elicit a few "Holy Cows" from readers. I purposely left out double denomination errors (which are very cool!) since they were covered extensively in Bank Note Reporter in 2024. Paper money errors are more intriguing because they offer something different and unexpected. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Thanks to Stack's Bowers Galleries and Heritage Auctions for the images contained. Also, thanks to paper money error expert Richard Merlau for his input.
Fr. 619 $10 1902 date back NBN mismatched charter # (E)10029/(E)10026 from Bay Shore, New York. All national bank notes have a charter number on the face of the note. Charter #10029 is for the First National Bank of Bay Shore, New York, shown on the right side of the note. However, on the left side is Charter # 10026, which is the National City Bank of Seattle, Washington. This note appeared at the famed Grinnell sale in the 1940s and sold for $19,550 in a Heritage auction in September 2008.
$5 1929 NBN Ch.#11878/11978 from the First National Bank of Ashland, Virginia. This Type II NBN note was inadvertently overprinted with the wrong charter number. The correct number for this Ashland note is 11878, seen in brown ink. Charter number 11978, in larger black fonts, was designated for the Superior National Bank and Trust of Cleveland, Ohio. These types of errors are rare and valuable. This note sold for $17,250 in a Heritage September 2008 auction.
Double Third Printing Errors
While the third printing of serial numbers and the Treasury seal is a rote process, when the overprint happens twice, we are left with a spectacular error. No error collection can be considered complete without a note with two serial numbers and seals.
Fr. 1924-B $1 1999 FRN. This example of a $1 FRN has two separate serial numbers, each of which can be read despite being piggybacked. What is interesting is the FRN district (B-New York), and four "2”s that are not doubled.
Fr. 1935-D $2 1976 FRN. An eye-popping example on this $2 FRN. The serial numbers are almost completely separated. Instead of four district "4"s, there are now eight of them. This remarkable error sold for $19,200 in a January 2022 Heritage auction.
Fr. 1614 $1 1935E silver certificate. Two distinct overprints have been applied to this note. The first was serial number D90594727I. The second is D90594726I, which is slightly skewed upward and to the right. A BEP rejection mark is also seen on this note.
Fr. 1908-E $1 1974 FRN. A nice, but common error, this uncut pair of notes is missing the third overprint on the faces. The back of one note is normal, and the back of the other note displays the serial number and seals. This unusual error sold for $18,400 in a Heritage September 2003 auction.
Mismatched serial numbers on a star note Fr. 1701* $10 1934 silver certificate. Star notes are issued as replacements for damaged or misprinted notes (errors). It's ironic to see a mismatched serial number on a replacement star note. The icing on the cake is the very low serial number. This note sold for $17,250 in a Heritage February 2005 auction.
Serial number error Fr. 3003-F $1 2017 FRN. A wild mismatched serial number/turned digit error. The left serial number is F77030698C, and the right serial F56818598C. Only the last two digits are the same on both sides. This note sold for $13,800 in May 2024.
Missing first and second printings error Fr. ????-E unknown denomination and series FRN. We've seen lots of errors missing the first or second printing, but not both. This note only received the third printing.
A pair of total over-inked notes. Left: Fr. 2180-F 2006 $100 FRN. The back of this $100 note is completely flooded with green ink. Right: Unique "California Blackout" note. Fr. 1925-L* $1 1999 FRN. Coin World stated that a Treasury official confirmed the item as a test note, which is produced to make sure the face plates are completely inked before starting a run. The four blank squares are portions of the plate that require no ink, as no intaglio print is in that area of the plate. It is puzzling how this made it out of the BEP. Sold for $10,062.50 in a Heritage September 2006 auction.
Obstruction Errors
The next series of errors shows notes with a foreign item (such as tape or kraft paper) affixed to the currency sheet, resulting in a note with part of the printing on the foreign material. These are some of the most stunning errors.
Fr. 2033-K $10 1995 FRN. The back of the note has a piece of masking tape attached, which holds a folded-over brown kraft packing strap. The pressure of the third printing sent ink and a full serial number to imprint itself on the folded area. This spectacular error sold for $9,775 in a Heritage January 2005 auction.
Fr. 2173-B $100 1990 FRN. A $100 obstruction error with printed kraft paper. The paper was on top (but not affixed) on the sheet and received the right-side serial number. The right-side green Treasury seal and serial number never made it onto the note; instead, they appeared on the piece of brown paper that was overlaid onto the sheet. It has the same serial and district number as the note.
Fr. 1930-E $1 2003A FRN. A piece of sandpaper has adhered to the note. The suffix letter of the left serial number, one of the district numbers, and part of the seal are on the foreign piece of sandpaper.
Fr. 2031-G $10 1995 FRN. A piece of brown kraft paper and masking tape are affixed to the note. The district letter seal, district number, and most of the left serial number are on the paper/tape.
Fr. 1978-G 1985 $5 FRN. A piece of masking tape made its way onto the note before the third printing. It contains the full left serial number, the green Treasury seal, and three "7" district numbers.
Fr. 2077-B $20 1990 FRN. A piece of kraft paper tape has received a partial third printing and contains the left serial number and most of the district seal.
Fr. 2077-B $20 1990 FRN. The district seal is the wrong color on the overprint, as it is a dark green instead of the usual black. This was likely caused by improper dye mixing. This is not a valuable error, but it is certainly eye-catching.
This concludes Part 2 of the coolest paper money errors known. In the December 2025 issue, I will showcase additional paper money errors that are sure to wow the senses.
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