1914 FRN $50 1039B Note For Grading And Comments

So this is an auction? What's the bid?

I'm not comfortable with the weakness at the bottom of the blue seal and "series of 1914" beneath it. Makes me wonder if the note was washed. Note also the lighter vertical area to the left of the left serial number. I'm far from an expert, but my gut tells me that when something looks wrong, it frequently is. Could be fine, but I'm out.

Thanks, Steve, for confirming my thoughts. This one's not for me.

Steve - why do you think the note has been worked on? Anything in particular, or...?

I feel that I did the right thing to walk away from this one. You guys are teaching me and I appreciate it very much!

Talk about a deceiving picture!

Hard to believe this $50 was once graded a Fine 12. It looks like a worked on VF. Was the picture altered too?

I took the liberty to enlarge some problem sections of the $50 note in question. I have seen enough doctored notes that these spots jumped out at me without enlargement or zoomed images. So I thought it would be beneficial to take a few screen captures when enlarging just to point out the suspected regions of interest. Creases are obvious through the president's face/seals but suddenly disappear on the white paper regions. Personally, I find smudgy looking borders to be the 1st big "red flag" & then I start to magnify as much as I can:

The first section as described in the OP shows where eraser (or some other abrasive) has been used near the blue seal. "Series of 1914" where the "f' & "4" have nearly been obliterated. Parts of the inner border seem too faint:


Below is a vertical region which looks to be erased or doctored where there was once a typically darker crease. Note how the left bottom curl of the "F" (Frank White's) signature has been lightened:


There is a portion in front of the ship's bow that looks like it might have had rust or some stain removed as well (in between the computer > guides):


I agree with the feedback that when you're looking at notes of this price range, you're better off selecting a trusted TPG certified note. Still inspect it as you would any other note (certifiers are imperfect too), but then proceed slowly (& with caution).