Mismatched Serial Numbers On Currency

Agreed Siuol,
Consider my statement of one week ago:

" Today, serial numbers are computer generated, but are rotated and applied mechanically, and since there are two serial numbers per note, there are two sets of mechanical tumblers 'optimally' acting together. Mistakes can and do happen with mechanical apparati though. "

The notes pictured above simply illustrate my words. I think that someone (maybe more than just one person) has misinterpreted what I referred to as 'an impossibility'.

The link that David posted near the bottom of the first page of this thread will take you to a note that contains mismatched serial numbers as those pictured above.

Unlike the notes pictured above however, the note in David's link shows the first four digits of each serial number printed in one font size and the last four digits printed in a font size approximately 10-20% larger than the first four digits.

If anyone thinks that this is a possibility, then we do not agree. I will not argue the issue of whether or not the digit tumblers are capable of instant growth in font size.

Respects, but I can't see any difference in font size. I've blown the ebay pictures up, etc.; I'm looking at very large pixels. Certainly there is no 10% difference. Sometimes I think I can see a difference in shading / tint, but there is not much difference. Could there be a difference due to the absence of rotation? Or could there be some other effect, such as a vibration among the broken digits, that would make them darker?

Uh, I'm assuming we are talking about the 6734 6125 versus 6734 5870 example on ebay.

I am certainly not very knowledgeable on the subject, but I find it odd that between the two pictured 5 Dollar Bills series 1977A, the serial number on the left, advanced three positions H67346122A to H67346125A. But the S/N on the right, advance from H67344731A to H67345870A, (1139 positions). Should the S/N advance at the same rate?

Maybe I am looking at this to deep?

To the rational human mind, they would, and yes, but highly complex machines seem to have minds of their own.
There are two independent (yet synchronized) sets of tumblers, each set containing 10 separate tumblers. There is a possibility of a malfunction on any individual tumbler, that may or may not transfer to the opposing set, depending on the specific problem. Most commonly, for a mismatch, 'failure to advance' (sticking of a tumbler) will be the culprit, but will not cause computerized auto shut down of the system unless the event persists for a preset repetition period. I am no a press technician, but from what I have gathered from viewing many notes of this type of error, is that 'normally', when a tumbler sticks, all subsequent numbers will also be thrown into a state of flux. This is strictly an assumption on my part however.



There are so many different malfunctions and and errors possible, it is mind boggling.

@ zeewool I did misunderstand what you were saying. I thought you said that the number difference was impossible, however you were talking about something else. Sorry
@ oih82w8 I agree with you that it is strange the left serial advances only 3 numbers while the right serial advances much more. I would think that the left would remain stationary given that it is the same FRB, run, series, and position.

Okay, once again, I am in error. They are of the same run. I was looking at a five and a two. I think that I had better stay away from this forum for quite a while until I can get a new monitor, glasses, and something for my head. Sorry everyone.