Another Acetoned Note On Ebay

Polynote1 are you referring to the $100 blank note that was sold at Status International Auctions http://www.statusint.com/result_coins.php?id=92

Thanks enworb - I hadn't considered a possible service component lol

The RBA website has some very useful information (and a video) regarding banknote production, that gives you a good insight into the stages involved which also assists in determining the likelihood in certain errors coming into existence, let alone make it past QC into circulation.

"The first printing process involves the background colours and patterns being printed onto both sides of the polymer sheets at the same time by simultan printing machines. These machines can print up to 8,000 sheets per hour.

Following the simultan printing the major design elements such as the portraits are printed using intaglio printing machines, with ink being transferred to the substrate under great pressure. Separate print runs are required for each side of the sheet. The resulting raised print is one of the important security features of Australia's polymer banknotes.

Serial numbers are then added to the sheets using a letterpress printing process.

In a final print run, the banknote sheets are given two coats of a protective overcoating ink using an offset printing press. This overcoat contributes to the extended durability of polymer banknotes as it protects the printing. It also helps to keep the banknotes clean."

For a note to retain a completely blank side through *all* stages of the printing process, the only way for this to conceivably occur is for two sheets to be stuck together, but even then this would be extremely unlikely to escape the QC process (which would appear to be mostly effective based on checks of substantial consecutive sequences of brand new notes and seeing how many numbers are missing.)

In the extremely unlikely event a sheet was to genuinely make it through the multiple phases of the production process and into circulation the note would have to display zero evidence of *any* print features on that side.

What we can safely assume is that in the case of the serial number side of a note being the blank one, there would be no way to determine the serial number, as it relies on a direct impact letterpress method which (if we recognise that an all pass scenario would require two sheets to be stuck together) would not leave any discernible impression on the lower sheet. To claim a "blank" side note has a known serial number means you either knew it before you removed it, or it received a direct impact from the letterpress process and is still visible after been removed.

We can also assume that for such an extremely rare error to pass undetected, there would probably only be a maximum of 1 or 2 sheets in existence at any one time, which would rule out multiple denominations over multiple years, beginning with shockingly crude portrait removals, escalating to whole sides, and culminating in Unc's and first prefixes etc etc

Furthermore, there would be no "blotches" indicating a "print was attempted". The most accurate descriptor of the notes I have seen on ebay is "the ink may have transferred off the note while still wet". While still wet? Wet with acetone!

Polynote, it may be possible that the notes you purchased were extremely rare genuine notes, but they would need to be very closely examined. While purchasing from a reputable source is a protection, it is not a guarantee. I'm sure many would be familiar with the likes of the acetoned Millenium 50 cent proofs.

thanks for the useful information PNQ, once I get the notes and paperwork out, I'm going to take to a few dealers and see what they come up with, I will also take back to the same auction centre and see what they think now, will let you no what happens hopefully get this done next week.

Just as an update on our "friend" from SA.
He has just undergone an additional name change - now trading as ozzie_au, fortunately is no longer trading in acetoned notes (just iPhones apparently), and has acquired some additional and very informative feedback from their alter-ego trolololololololo
! Buyer: Member id trolololololololo (3) 31-Jan-13 17:39 Private

Has anyone thought about reporting "our friend" with the blank notes to the Reserve Bank? He would be looking at a $5,000 fine or imprisonment for two years, or both according to the info here: http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/deliberatedamage.html

Wonder if there is reward for reporting culprits?

Well ... I bit the bullet and reported these tampered notes to the RBA ...

Congratulations on going to the trouble. Will be interested by the response.!