Error Notes or Money Mistakes

Occasionally, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) makes mistakes or errors when printing our paper money. These so-called error notes are quite collectable to certain paper money collectors, which are our clients.  If you have a bill that appears to be authentic, but looks unusual or not normal, it may be an error note.

If you are considering selling your error note, please send us scans of your bill and we will advise you how much we can offer you for it. If you have any question regarding a bill that you believe has an error or mistake, please contact us at our toll free number at 1-877-396-5322. You can also send us scans of your error note or ship it to us and we will advise you how much it is worth.

Some of the more common types of errors produced at the BEP include:

Offset Errors - All or some of the front printing is on the back of the bill or the back printing is on the front of the bill.

Alignment Problems - The overprint, which is the seal and serial numbers, is shifted and misaligned. The overprint could be shifted to the left or right and it could be shifted up or down.

Fold Errors - This type of error has a vertical or horizontal fold through the front and/or back of the bill or there could be an overlapping fold at one of the corners of the bill.

Inking Errors - In this this type of error, the bill may be over or under inked or it may have an ink smear on either the front or back of the bill.

Missing Prints - These type of errors may have the printing on the front or back which is completely missing or the seal and serial numbers may be missing. Also, the seal and serial numbers may be on the back of the bill instead of the front.

Double Denomination Errors - In this type of error, the bill will have two different denominations. The front of the bill will have one denomination and the back will have a different denomination.

Inverted Errors - Either the front or the back of the note will be inverted or upside down or the overprint will be upside down or inverted.