Counterfeit Detection: 2006 United States $1 Federal Reserve Note Inverted Overprint

PMG - While viewing this note under specialized lighting, the PMG team noticed that the ink in the overprint was not genuine.

This month's article examines a 2006 United States $1 Federal Reserve Note (Friedberg# 1933-A). The note appears to have a rare double error - there is an overprint on the back of the note and that overprint is inverted. This error occurs when a sheet enters the overprint press upside down and backward


United States $1 Federal Reserve Note, Friedberg# 1933-A

The note exhibits one major flaw - when a sheet enters the press upside down, the overprint is printed on the back only; there should be no overprint on the front of the note. The authenticity of this error is suspect at a glance. The images below demonstrate other problems, that collectors should always be on the lookout for.


"G" on the front of the note (left); "G" in the overprint on the back (right)

The difference in fonts between the overprints on the front and back of the note is obvious. The fake "G" is wider and the tail is left-aligned rather than centered. Under high magnification, the grainy, dot-like texture of the ink on the fake print becomes apparent. Avid readers of our monthly articles may now be able to associate this texture with inkjet printing.


United States $1 Federal Reserve Note, Friedberg# 1933-A under specialized lighting

Compared to the genuine ink on the front of the note, the overprint on the back looks different under specialized light sources. Though we could say with certainty that this error was not genuine by taking a close look at the overprint, these images affirm that the ink in question is not genuine. Collectors could spot this alteration with a keen eye and a loupe.

Read More: Counterfeit Detection Series

Check out US Overprint Notes on ebay.