Error Note Chronicles: Overprint on Back Error

Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) is the world’s leading authority on banknote errors, a popular segment of numismatics. In Error Note Chronicles, we take an in-depth look at different errors. This month’s topic is the Overprint on Back Error.

US Federal Reserve Notes are created using several printings, separated by time to allow the ink to dry. First the back of the notes is printed. Then, most of the design for the front of the note is printed. Finally, the overprint with the serial numbers, green Treasury seal and other elements is added. As you can see with this 1977A $1 Federal Reserve Note (New York), due to a mistake at the end of the multi-step printing process, the overprint wound up on the wrong side of the note. (This note is part of a Heritage Auctions sale in November 2022.)

1977A $1 Federal Reserve Note (New York) with Overprint on Back Error graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

Sometimes the Overprint on Back Error is done in such a fashion that the overprint is also inverted (upside down). Such is the case with this 1996 $100 Federal Reserve Note (Cleveland). As a Type II Inverted Overprint Error, this note also shows the cutting error that is typical with these notes. If you're wondering what this error is worth, this note realized $3,120 at a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2022.

1996 $100 Federal Reserve Note (Cleveland) with Overprint on Back Error (Type II Inverted Overprint) graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

As is the case with most errors, the Overprint on Back Error can be found on world banknotes as well. Take a look at this India 2014 10 Rupees, which is holdered with the back facing the front. The serial numbers were supposed to be on the other side of the note, fitting neatly above Gandhi's head as well as at the bottom left.

India, Reserve Bank 2014 10 Rupees with Overprint on Back Error graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

PMG, an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), has certified many exciting error notes, including the famous “Del Monte” error note that realized $396,000 in a January 2021 sale.

Collectors and dealers with error notes can submit them to PMG for certification under an applicable grading tier with “error” or the specific error noted under the Variety/Pedigree column on the submission form. There is no additional fee for this service.

For more information about submitting to PMG, visit PMGnotes.com.

Other Error Note Chronicles columns:

• Cutting Error
• Doubled Print Error
• Dual Denomination Error
• Gutter Fold Error
• Ink Smear Error
• Insufficient Inking
• Inverted Back
• Inverted Overprint Errors
• Misalignment Errors
• Mismatched Prefix Error
• Mismatched Serial Number Error
• Obstructed Printing Errors
• Offset Printing Error
• The PCBLIC Error
• Printed Fold Error
• Stuck Digit Error