Error Note Chronicles: Multiple Impression 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 Multiple Impression Error.

Banknotes are printed in sheets in several stages, with ink being applied to one side at a time. Sometimes, more than one print is applied to a particular side of a sheet; for instance, the serial numbers on US currency are printed on the sheet separately from the main design.

When a banknote unexpectedly gets an extra print, then a Multiple Impression Error occurs, such as the one on this 1985 $10 Federal Reserve Note (Richmond). The front of the note contains the expected front design that features Alexander Hamilton but it also includes the Treasury Building and other elements from the back design. It is interesting that the plate number on the back of the note (536) doesn't match the one associated with the one with the back design that appears on the front of the note (534). This note realized $6,000 in a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2022.

1985 $10 Federal Reserve Note (Richmond) with a Multiple Impression Error graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine Click images to enlarge.

This 1977A $5 Federal Reserve Note (San Francisco) has a Non-Standard Multiple Impression Error: The extra impression is on the wrong side of the note, it is inverted and it is at an angle (actually showing portions of the back design from several notes). This note is being offered in a May 2023 Heritage Auctions sale, with an estimate of at least $5,000.

1977A $5 Federal Reserve Note (San Francisco) with a Multiple Impression Error graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine Click images to enlarge.

Multiple Impression Errors also occur on world notes, and they can be a little more subtle than the previous two examples. This Nicaragua 2007 200 Cordobas has a Multiple Impression Error involving an extra print that includes the serial number, which resulted in the note actually receiving two serial numbers: A/1 28312781 and A/1 28308417.

Nicaragua, Banco Central 2007 200 Cordobas with a Multiple Impression Error graded PMG 30 Very Fine 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
• Multiple Errors
• National Bank Note Errors
• Obstructed Printing Errors
• Offset Printing Error
• Overprint on Back Error
• Paper Jam Error
• The PCBLIC Error
• Printed Fold Error
• Solvent Smear Error
• Stuck Digit Error