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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,945 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
I am sorry to ask this, but I know nothing about currency. This note seems faded in places on the Obverse. Is that due to use and environmental damage or is that a printing issue? If it is a printing issue, I imagine they are quite common? See the background to the bust, U in UNITED, T in STATES, for example.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12813 Posts |
Normal wear and tear, I'm afraid.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3330 Posts |
Quote:
Normal wear and tear, I'm afraid. Thank you! As I suspected...nothing to be afraid of!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2850 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
I concur with the others. Notice it's right where the bill was folded. My one and only star dollar bill is in about the same condition. Not worth anything over face value, but I can't bring myself to spend it. Maybe after I find a couple more in better condition?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1358 Posts |
It's a side effect of the intaglio printing process. This is where a metal plate has the design engraved into it. When it's printing time, ink is spread over the entire surface of the plate, and then wiped off. Ink remains in the engraved portions. When the plate meets paper for the actual printing, the paper is pushed into the engraved design in the plate, and the ink that remained there sticks to the paper. This is what gives paper money it's texture, which you can feel if you run your fingernail against, say... Washington's coat, as well as the ridges you can see directly on the opposite side of the coat (under ONE). However, this also means that the ink wears away relatively quickly in circulation, since it's on the paper.
The serial numbers and black and green seals are printed a little more conventionally, flat plate, I believe. The ink here essentially tattoos itself into the paper, which is why the serial numbers and seals are vibrant even on well-worn notes.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3330 Posts |
Great information, coinsearcher83 - thanks! I am sure most everyone who collects paper knows this, but it is new to me!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2233 Posts |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,945 |
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Posted 12/18/2015 12:01 pm
