Inverted Overprint Error Value
The third and final printing pass adds the black Federal Reserve seal, the district numbers, the green Treasury seal, and both serial numbers. If the sheet is fed into that press the wrong way round, all of those elements print upside down relative to the portrait.
The result is unmistakable and it is one of the classic major errors. Nothing subtle about it: the seals and serials are simply inverted while the portrait and border sit correctly.
Quick facts
- Also called
- Third print inverted, inverted third printing
- Affected elements
- Both seals, district numbers, both serial numbers
- Cause
- Sheet fed backwards into the overprint press
- Related error
- Missing overprint, where the third print never happened
Inverted Overprint value by condition
| Condition | Estimated value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inverted overprint, circulated | $400 to $900 | |
| Inverted overprint, uncirculated | $900 to $2,000 | |
| Missing overprint entirely | $300 to $1,000 | |
| Overprint on the back instead of the face | $1,000 to $4,000 | |
| Inverted on a star note | $1,200 to $5,000+ |
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What the third print does
The face and back are engraved intaglio printings and carry the portrait, border, and vignette. Everything that identifies the individual note comes later: which Federal Reserve bank issued it, the Treasury seal, and the unique serial number.
Separating that stage is efficient, because the same face plates can serve every district. It also means a single feeding mistake at that stage produces a dramatic and entirely internally consistent error.
The missing overprint variant
If the sheet skips the third press entirely, the note comes out with a normal face and back but no seals and no serial numbers at all. It looks eerie, like an unfinished proof.
Missing overprints are checked carefully by graders because a chemically washed note can superficially resemble one. Genuine examples show no disturbance to the surrounding ink or paper surface.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the seals on my bill upside down?
The sheet was fed backwards into the press that applies the seals and serial numbers. It is a genuine and valuable printing error known as an inverted overprint.
How much is an inverted overprint worth?
Usually $400 to $900 circulated and $900 to $2,000 uncirculated. Star notes and more extreme variants go higher.
What if my bill has no seals or serial numbers at all?
That is a missing overprint error, worth roughly $300 to $1,000. Have it certified, since chemically washed notes are sometimes passed off as this error.