2003 Blue Seal Note

[TXPlugKutter]

My wife recently found a 2003 Series five dollar bill that has a Blue Seal instead of a green one. I know that blue seal currencies went out a long time ago so why would this one have a blue seal. If ya'll have any idea let me know. Authentic?Value?Fake? I am not out anything on it (except 5 bucks) but I would like to know more about it.

 

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[Texas Coin Hunter]

If the water mark is missing you have a counterfiet, the water mark can be seen on the right hand side of the note if held upto the light you will see the image of good old ABE, and yes if it's a counterfiet $5.00 note you can own it but don't get caught trying too pass it off as being legit, buy trying to buy something it's a FEDERAL OFFENSE

 

[diggummup]

Interesting. Let us know if you can see the watermark. If you have a magnifying glass or a loupe, you can checkfor the microprinting which is found on the lower edge ornamentation along the oval frame around Lincoln's head for the words "The United States of America". It appears as a fine line to the naked eye and it is a blurry image when it has been copied. Also,if you have an ultraviolet light,you can check the security thread under it, the thread on the $5 bill should glow blue and it should be located just to the left of the Fed Reserve seal which just happens to also be blue.Let us know what you find out. Blue seals went out with silver certificates I thought.

 

[TXPlugKutter]

Interesting. Let us know if you can see the watermark. If you have a magnifying glass or a loupe, you can checkfor the microprinting which is found on the lower edge ornamentation along the oval frame around Lincoln's head for the words "The United States of America". It appears as a fine line to the naked eye and it is a blurry image when it has been copied. Also,if you have an ultraviolet light,you can check the security thread under it, the thread on the $5 bill should glow blue and it should be located just to the left of the Fed Reserve seal which just happens to also be blue.Let us know what you find out. Blue seals went out with silver certificates I thought.

I checked the bill today at work and it does have the watermark, security thread and the microprinting below Lincolns picture. I have no idea why its blue and everyone else that I have talked to in the past doesn't have an answer for me either. Hopefully we can generate enough interest to find out from somebody on here.
Thanks for all ya'lls ideas.

 

[Peerless67]

just a guess, but if they are using blue and yellow ink to make a green mark and the yellow was to run out, then you may end up with a few blue ones? till the ink was sorted?

 

[diggummup]

Although this note is circulated, it may be worth getting it graded (authenticated) by PMG, it could fetch a hefty premium. I can't find a thing like it anywhere. Here is a link to their website, you should join and post this note on their chat board first and get some thoughts on it by some experienced note collectors. http://www.pmgnotes.com/grading/grading_process.asp-

 

[TXPlugKutter]

Thanks, I will try that. I will keep everyone posted of what I find out.

 

[Mainedigger]

Bills in the past with the blue seal were the silver certificates, but they haven;t made those for years. I kinda like Peerless's theory of the blue and yellow ink to make green and the yellow running out?. I also agree you should get it graded, for if it is authentic, which it appears to be with all the watermarks there, then it definitely is a rarity and may be very valuable. Am curious as to what you find out about it.

 

[diggummup]

I wouldn't listen to that first guy that responded on the other forum.I'm gonna put one in the wash with some bleach and see what happens to it. I don't believe it.

 

[1235CE]

OK, very cool........I am absolutely stumped but I can tell you it's worth some cash, circulated or not......nice find!

Greg

 

[TXPlugKutter]

I have this posted on another forum and they seem to think it may be bleach washed. I am gonna try this and see if it works. Seems like the bleach would affect the rest of the ink on the note, not just the seal and serial number. But thats just my opinion. I really appreciate everyones input.

 

[prospectorYorkPA]

from the picture, it also looks as if the serial # on the left side is green and is to the blue side on the right side under the seal. From what I understand , the serial numbers are put on towards the end of the printing. Which I have no idea what that means. I would think something happened to one half of the bill not affecting the other.

 

[TXPlugKutter]

Your right, the serial # on the left is green while the other is blue, along with the seal.

 

[l.cutler]

I just got my new issue of Coin World and there is a question on a $20 with the same blue seal. According to the paper, this is quite common and not a printing error. The green ink is turned blue by a wash in an acidic solution, even an accidental wash in the laundry. The ink can also turn yellow from an alkaline wash in something like bleach.

 

[diggummup]

Wow my eyes must be getting bad. I never even noticed the other ser. # was green. Oh well,spend it and be happy.

 

[Mainedigger]

Acid dip...plausible

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SWR....good eyes and a very good possibility, definitely looks like it was dipped in something...good call!!

 

[TXPlugKutter]

I tried the bleach and after ten minutes of soaking I took it out. There was not any discoloration. I am waiting on the bill to dry. We'll see. I also soaked another bill in CLR. This didn't work either. Maybe I need to try some acid on the bill.

 

[djui5]

Acid dip...plausible

Maybe, but if you look on the left side it has the same line. I think the bill was just folded some strange way when it got dirty.

 

[BIG61AL]

It may be a printing error. The fives are notorious for bad ink and poor ink attachment. As for the acid dip theory, why would it turn it blue by dissolving the yellow ink and not the blue. Wouldn't it just dissolve the ink completely? How come the linen/cotten bill just doesn't disintegrate also?

 

[TXPlugKutter]

That was kinda what I thought. Seems like if it dyed the green seal to blue it would also dye the rest of the green bill blue. I still think its an error. I guess I am gonna have to submit it to get it verified.

Who is the top grader for paper money?