Error Notes

Error notes are banknotes that spot mistakes made during printing or production. These can include things like misaligned images, smudged ink, wrong or missing serial numbers, or notes that were cut the wrong way. Some error notes look visibly different—when they are “major errors”. Some look fairly normal—when they are”minor errors”. But all, including the ones that look different, are legal tender and can be used like normal notes. Because the printing process is usually very careful, most error notes are removed and replaced by replacement notes before they reach the public. So when an error note does make it into circulation—especially one with a major error—it is rare and many collectors find it valuable. There are three main types of error notes: serial number errors, printing errors, and cutting errors.

Serial Number Errors

O10 Mismatched serial numbers  

TQG 63, no remarks

Market Price: $1000

(2024)

S5 Insufficient ink on serial number (minor)

TQG 65 GEPQ

Market Price: $180

(2024)

Printing Errors

O5 Gutter fold 

Ungraded, like new 

Market Price: $900

(2024)

B10 Offset printing 

Ungraded, lightly used  

Market Price: $700

(2024)

B10 Ink smudge (minor)

Ungraded, well used  

Market Price: $25

(2024)

P2 Ink smudge (minor) 

Ungraded, lightly used  

Market Price: $16

(2024)

Cutting Errors

S50 Retained cutting 

PCGS 40, no remarks

Market Price: $950

(2024)

S1 Off-centre cutting (minor) 

Ungraded, well used  

Market Price: $8

(2024)

Disclaimer. I built this website as a hobby, to share with others what I’ve learnt. All the information here is written based on my own research and understanding, and I don’t guarantee that everything is correct, complete, or updated. While I sell banknotes here, I don’t profit from them, as they are spare pieces from my private collection. All the banknote images here are taken by myself and they belong to me. The non-banknote images, with sources that I’ve attributed on every page, are used solely for illustration and non-commercial education purposes. If you are a copyright holder and believe something has been used inappropriately, please contact me, and I will immediately review or remove it.
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