Misprinted money refers to paper currency with printing defects that occurred during the manufacturing process at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. These errors range from subtle overprint misalignments to dramatic missing prints that leave portions of the note blank. Understanding what constitutes a genuine misprint helps you spot finds that other people overlook.
A misprint is any deviation from the intended design that results from a malfunction or mistake during the printing process. US currency goes through multiple printing stages — back printing, face printing, and overprinting (serial numbers, seals). Errors can occur at any of these stages, producing distinct types of misprints with different visual characteristics.
Misprint values are driven by the type of error, its severity, and condition. A note missing its entire back printing is worth far more than one with a slight overprint shift. The denomination also matters — misprints on uncommon denominations or older series tend to command higher prices. Crisp, uncirculated misprints are most desirable.
Upload a photo of your coin or currency and let ErrorHunt's AI scanner check for errors in seconds.
Scan NowAny paper currency where the printing process produced an unintended result — missing prints, offset images, ink errors, shifted overprints, or other production defects. Post-production damage like stains or tears does not count.
Yes. Misprinted bills issued by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are legal tender regardless of the error. However, their collector value typically exceeds their face value.
Minor misprints like small overprint shifts occur more frequently than dramatic errors. Major misprints like missing prints are genuinely rare because quality control catches most of them before release.
Yes. Error notes sell through currency dealers, auction houses, online marketplaces, and collector shows. Professional grading and authentication can increase buyer confidence and selling price.