$10 Federal reserve note. Blue seals and serial numbers

[Fresh Find]

This may be kind of long I hope that's okay.
I have had this 2013 $10 Federal reserve note for a couple years now. done many many hours of research trying to find out if it is legit. Send it into PMG came back with cannot grade altered note. They have graded some in the past but I guess they have reimbursed the folks that had one graded because of this issue being altered.
The Secret service says that it is inkwell contamination. PMG will not give me a reasoning for their conclusion. From all the research that I have done. Without being able to speak with The BEP. And not actually having I guess what I call evidence or whatever in my hand to research it myself. I still believe that it is a legit error. Here's why.
The example I have is perfect. You can see a difference between a chemically altered one and my example which I have came across other ones like mine not all of them are as complete because some will just have the seals blue color or maybe one side will be blue color being the seal and serial number one example I came across it had a blue seal and it started out green but faded into the blue color serial number. It seemed to have started when they started printing large face bills. I have only seen examples of the five tens and 20s. It seems that none of them are the same. It would seem to me that if somebody was doing this to the bills they would want to do all the serial numbers and and both seals rather than a little here a little there especially if they were trying to perfect their craft. As you can see in my photo the black pigments in the serial number are not discolored and you can also see the black dot pigments in a normal Federal reserve note serial number. It is not as a parent in all serial numbers as my example or some others I've ran across. If they mix some kind of inks together the primary three colors are yellow magenta and cyan. Cyan being the same Exact color blue as what's on my $10 note. But I have heard that they use chemicals to create the color of the seals and serial numbers but that too can have alterations.
V can somebody lead me into the right direction of more information maybe like a contact in the BEP. Or somebody that would have first hand knowledge on their process. Any information would be great thanks

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[jeff of pa]

environmentally or chemically enhanced.

2013 Blue Seal $5 Bill - Coin Community Forum

2013 Blue Seal $5 Bill - Coin Community Forum

www.coincommunity.com

 

[Fresh Find]

environmentally or chemically enhanced.

2013 Blue Seal $5 Bill - Coin Community Forum

2013 Blue Seal $5 Bill - Coin Community Forum

www.coincommunity.com

Yes this would be an example of one that is chemically altered and like I mentioned in my post if you look at the mine with the close-up shots there's no deviation of any other color and a serial numbers have the black dots in them just like a normal bill. And the color of blue is completely different

 

[unclemac]

keep it or use it.... you won't retire from selling it....

 

[Fresh Find]

keep it or use it.... you won't retire from selling it....

Well actually the position I'm in right now I could possibly retire.

 

[jewelerguy]

one thing I don't see present in your close-up shots is the colored cloth fibers that are always present in genuine US bills. Might want to check it with one of those counterfeit detection markers like the stores use

 

[Red-Coat]

You might be interested in the discussion at this link:

Color Errors - Blue seal instead of green. Green instead of black.

I bought this a few years back - 📷 Heritage Auctions says Fr. 1990-E $5 2003 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ. This Richmond $5 has a third print color error with a green ink instead of black Federal Reserve District Seal and "E5" district indicator. Also, the Department of...

www.papermoneyforum.com

A few selected excerpts from the discussion:

Unfortunately, ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES ARE FAKE, NOT GENUINE, CREATED AFTER THEY LEFT THE B.E.P.! This is not a guess, merely stating fact. These slabbed examples were slabbed back in the day BEFORE PMG checked them out with an error expert…
…These are all altered by exposure to caustic chemicals AFTER they left the Treasury, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.... I wonder if PMG would buy them back to save face??

and

While "contaminated ink" errors do exist, the contaminant always bleeds into the paper like an oily residue but these NEVER alter the pigments in the ink to completely different colors.... ever. I'm reluctant to post exactly how this "error" is created because more may surface…

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing added to the debate with this response:

The BEP did not make the printing error you describe, and would not knowingly release an error note. The alteration to the note most like occurred in general circulation.

An expert from Heritage Auctions gave this response to a query from someone who had purchased a note previously graded by PMG:

Thank you for your inquiry. These items caused quite a stir when they first came out. I recall at the time we were shown these we asked several dealers as well as Glen at PMG for their opinions. Subsequently, we accepted the notes for auction based on PMG grading them. We are now of the opinion these notes are not good and are easily made to resemble errors using various chemicals. The Secret Service in several letters not related to this error but of similar error style mentioned ink fountain contamination was to blame when various seals were a different color. Now we know this is not the case and so-called errors displaying this type of inking will likely not be graded again by PCGS or PMG in the future.

One other thing to note is that there are many similar examples on eBay and elsewhere, described as “rare” but with asking prices typically in the modest region of $20-$30.

 

[Fresh Find]

one thing I don't see present in your close-up shots is the colored cloth fibers that are always present in genuine US bills. Might want to check it with one of those counterfeit detection markers like the stores use

Threads are there so is the micro printing, watermark, strip. I've already sent it into PMG. They say it's an altered note. But from my understanding the secret service says that it's contaminated inkwell.

 

[Fresh Find]

You might be interested in the discussion at this link:

Color Errors - Blue seal instead of green. Green instead of black.

I bought this a few years back - 📷 Heritage Auctions says Fr. 1990-E $5 2003 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ. This Richmond $5 has a third print color error with a green ink instead of black Federal Reserve District Seal and "E5" district indicator. Also, the Department of...

www.papermoneyforum.com

A few selected excerpts from the discussion:

Unfortunately, ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES ARE FAKE, NOT GENUINE, CREATED AFTER THEY LEFT THE B.E.P.! This is not a guess, merely stating fact. These slabbed examples were slabbed back in the day BEFORE PMG checked them out with an error expert…
…These are all altered by exposure to caustic chemicals AFTER they left the Treasury, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.... I wonder if PMG would buy them back to save face??

and

While "contaminated ink" errors do exist, the contaminant always bleeds into the paper like an oily residue but these NEVER alter the pigments in the ink to completely different colors.... ever. I'm reluctant to post exactly how this "error" is created because more may surface…

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing added to the debate with this response:

The BEP did not make the printing error you describe, and would not knowingly release an error note. The alteration to the note most like occurred in general circulation.

An expert from Heritage Auctions gave this response to a query from someone who had purchased a note previously graded by PMG:

Thank you for your inquiry. These items caused quite a stir when they first came out. I recall at the time we were shown these we asked several dealers as well as Glen at PMG for their opinions. Subsequently, we accepted the notes for auction based on PMG grading them. We are now of the opinion these notes are not good and are easily made to resemble errors using various chemicals. The Secret Service in several letters not related to this error but of similar error style mentioned ink fountain contamination was to blame when various seals were a different color. Now we know this is not the case and so-called errors displaying this type of inking will likely not be graded again by PCGS or PMG in the future.

One other thing to note is that there are many similar examples on eBay and elsewhere, described as “rare” but with asking prices typically in the modest region of $20-$30.

I would pretty much steak my life on it that it any of them sold weren't in the condition that this one is in. On top of that this one has more of the blue then any of the other ones that I found. And most of them that I have found newer and older than this you can tell we're chemically altered. I've looked on eBay sold items and I couldn't find any under there if you run across one would you be able to send me the link. That would be a huge help.

 

[Fresh Find]

You might be interested in the discussion at this link:

Color Errors - Blue seal instead of green. Green instead of black.

I bought this a few years back - 📷 Heritage Auctions says Fr. 1990-E $5 2003 Federal Reserve Note. PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ. This Richmond $5 has a third print color error with a green ink instead of black Federal Reserve District Seal and "E5" district indicator. Also, the Department of...

www.papermoneyforum.com

A few selected excerpts from the discussion:

Unfortunately, ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES ARE FAKE, NOT GENUINE, CREATED AFTER THEY LEFT THE B.E.P.! This is not a guess, merely stating fact. These slabbed examples were slabbed back in the day BEFORE PMG checked them out with an error expert…
…These are all altered by exposure to caustic chemicals AFTER they left the Treasury, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.... I wonder if PMG would buy them back to save face??

and

While "contaminated ink" errors do exist, the contaminant always bleeds into the paper like an oily residue but these NEVER alter the pigments in the ink to completely different colors.... ever. I'm reluctant to post exactly how this "error" is created because more may surface…

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing added to the debate with this response:

The BEP did not make the printing error you describe, and would not knowingly release an error note. The alteration to the note most like occurred in general circulation.

An expert from Heritage Auctions gave this response to a query from someone who had purchased a note previously graded by PMG:

Thank you for your inquiry. These items caused quite a stir when they first came out. I recall at the time we were shown these we asked several dealers as well as Glen at PMG for their opinions. Subsequently, we accepted the notes for auction based on PMG grading them. We are now of the opinion these notes are not good and are easily made to resemble errors using various chemicals. The Secret Service in several letters not related to this error but of similar error style mentioned ink fountain contamination was to blame when various seals were a different color. Now we know this is not the case and so-called errors displaying this type of inking will likely not be graded again by PCGS or PMG in the future.

One other thing to note is that there are many similar examples on eBay and elsewhere, described as “rare” but with asking prices typically in the modest region of $20-$30.

The only problem is inkwell contamination could be a number of things to be able to change the color not just some oily excessive bleeding issue. But if you look at the color wheel for ink not the light spectrum but printing ink it consists of three colors one of them being Cyan. Which is the exact color of the seals and serial number on my $10 note. I thought this web site was interesting I tried getting a hold of them to no avail. You got to read till the end.

Altered Colors on United States Currency | Antique Money

 

[moemoney]

I would pretty much steak my life on it that it any of them sold weren't in the condition that this one is in. On top of that this one has more of the blue then any of the other ones that I found. And most of them that I have found newer and older than this you can tell we're chemically altered. I've looked on eBay sold items and I couldn't find any under there if you run across one would you be able to send me the link. That would be a huge help.

Hi, I've just joined, 3-22-24 but there is now one on eBay item #305456767863. The only unaltered notes that are legit are "wrong ink color error" where serial numbers are black on the left side. I have had some of these graded by PMG recently, one from Cleveland district and the other from Atlanta, the only districts that I am aware of with this error. I guess all are aware of alkaline products changing red inks of legal tender notes to yellow and that long term ultraviolet light can change green to yellow on the first printing side.

 

[Ryanc420]

I found one and thought it was very weird at my convenience store and bought it because it definitely passed all the counterfeit protocols and my bank even looked and said it was real and to hangbon to it because they have not seen anything like it.

 

[moemoney]

Hello. As a collector of error currency, I would really like to figure this out. Currently on eBay, is an uncut strip of 4 of twenty dollar bills, all with the "blue" ink. Since the BEP sells these uncut sheets specifically as collector items, it is unlikely that any such "error" would escape the BEP, as these sheets are "hand packed" and not intended for circulation. Other notes with ink changes are always in very circulated condition, as in $1 bills with the ink on the reverse being yellow (caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight), Legal tender notes ( US notes ) with red ink turned to yellow, (having invariably "gone through the wash" with alkaline laundry detergents). The only recent, and explained, ink variances are some notes where the serial numbers on the left are black/dark and the right side normal green. This has been confirmed with the BEP as "ink fountain contamination" and are also recognized by the various grading services. Since all anti-counterfeiting measures are not known to the public, it is possible that a new added ingredient to the ink, ( since the release of "colorized" notes ), has been found to be reactive to specific wave lengths of light, or by a extremely minimally invasive chemical, since some examples seen are in "uncirculated" condition. Any "Breaking Bad" chemists out there? Curious!

 

[unclemac]

...see... the problem there... is "currently on ebay"....

 

[moemoney]

...see... the problem there... is "currently on ebay"....

Agreed. I like figuring out errors in currency, legit and contrived. by knowing the way fake "errors" are made I am more able to help unsuspecting buyers! For grins, if you want to see the item on eBay, the item # is 355641731262.

 

[Saije77!]

I have the same! I've taken it to PMG dealers in my area of Dallas and they didn't know enough. They said maybe chemical alter but I've seen chemical altered bills, they are uneven and uncongruent. The bill I have and the others in this thread are even in the color and seem real to me. What enzymes turn things from green to blue? I'm no chemist but I understand red to yellow. Or heck even blue to green but not the other way around. If the bills are hand packed, wouldn't that be a possibility for a mistake? I mean I've worked in a factory and even in final inspection in a medical implant facility and errors and things not caught still slip by either talking to another or just laziness in inspection.

 

[moemoney]

Yes, to err is Human but notes pass through scores of optical, computer and physical checks during the printing process. The inspections can even detect ink density variations. This is the only instance of an "error" that the BEP has not confirmed or that PMG and PCGS have not continued to accept for authentication. Early examples just got by them. I personally have had to have notes regraded that a service got wrong....and they said so and then got it right. I think it would be a secret to big to keep. I have spent thousands on individual error notes over the course of decades and only once was a note rejected for grading and I spent a lot of time to figure out how the fake "error" was made and now warn others about how it is done. I reserve about 1% of an inkling of hope that somehow these blue notes could be a legit error. Printing errors, even though rare, are know in some quantities. Only precious few single note screw ups can actually be unique. Happy hunting!

 

[Fresh Find]

I found one and thought it was very weird at my convenience store and bought it because it definitely passed all the counterfeit protocols and my bank even looked and said it was real and to hangbon to it because they have not seen anything like it.

Would you be able to post a clear picture

 

[moemoney]

Would you be able to post a clear picture

I say just keep it for a curiosity and maybe someday the technique for it's creation will be discovered. The majority of opinions, (from Notaphilists, PMG,PCGS and Heritage Auctions), all agree that these did not occur in the printing process. The BEP has historically admitted to any errors that have been discovered in circulation and "blue ink" is certainly a secret too big to keep.