$1 Series 1988A Notes- Real Or Fake?

I hope this wasn't some kinda joke but they smell like another UNC note that I have. Now that I'm thinking about it the seller did tell me that they came directly from a strap of about 100. They were probably stashed away since the early 90's.

That is interesting. Any particular reason why?

I smell them to determine if any chemicals have been applied or used. Just recently, I received 5 consecutive 1995 $2 notes that still had the new money smell. I use all of my available senses when evaluating paper money.

Smelling a note is the ultimate 'litmus' test for me. I remember going to a show about 20 years ago & a veteran collector told me to smell a 1935 $10 I had just bought. I laughed when he first suggested I do this because it sounded so funny/odd at the time. But the reason behind the suggestion? He thought it looked washed (or processed) & I would smell the detergent. Fortunately, it smelled fine (though it could have been watered down and flattened).

Anyway, that was the first time I had anyone suggest I smell a note. Later, another currency collector had a fake $20 & it definitely smelled wrong. Fresh currency has a distinct odour.

The other thing that is a give-away for fakes -I feel- is the serial number font: they're just off (not to mention other minor security features like microprint & planchettes). Typically they can even get the prefixes wrong (& they're often the same #). So the OP notes look pretty good to me.

Thanx for the smelly tips guyz! . . .

But that might damage the note!