Coin Clinic – It Takes 4,000 Folds to Tear a Bank Note

How much handling does it take to tear a bank note from wear, not by being torn on purpose?

It reportedly takes 4,000 double folds, both forwards and backward, to tear a bank note through normal use in circulation. Our modern Federal Reserve bank notes are printed on a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen purchased throughout the past century from Crane Paper Company. This blend also has variable lengths of tiny red and blue synthetic fibers distributed throughout the “paper.”

What methods of printing have been used on our dollar bills?

There have been several printing methods used, these being intaglio (steel or copper plate), litho (stone or grained metal), letterpress (zinc or type metal, and photogravure (copper cylinder or plate).

What method of printing has been used to place the serial numbers on U.S. bank notes?

Serial numbers are always applied to new bank notes using a letterpress rotating drum. The impression left on the note by the serial number is often visible on an uncirculated note as a raised area on the back. Inkjet fakes will always leave small specks in the open spaces. Laser printer serial numbers are always counterfeits as well.

I understand polymer is used to print some foreign bank notes. What is polymer?

The polymer on which some foreign bank notes are printed is a synthetic biaxially oriented polypropylene on which metameric inks can be printed.

Why doesn’t the United States use polymer rather than paper to print our bank notes?

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing indicates they believe there are some disadvantages to using polymer rather than paper to print bank notes. Among their concerns are that polymer notes are more challenging to fold the surface of polymer notes is slippery, and polymer notes are more challenging to recycle once they are too worn to circulate.

Is it true that polymer bank notes are more difficult to counterfeit than bank notes printed on paper?

Polymer notes are more durable than their paper counterparts, lasting an estimated 2.5 times as long in circulation than paper notes. Regarding security features, polymer notes have see-through windows, holograms, and front-to-back registration marks.

What was the public’s reaction to the introduction of our current small-size bank notes?

According to a 1910 naysayer article appearing in The Numismatist, “… the small size note, being cumbersome, would take longer to count than the large notes and some of the large size notes would continue to circulate 50 to 75 years hence.” In fact, 99 percent of the older large-size bank notes were out of circulation within three years of their 1929 issue. The smaller size notes were well received.

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How did we come to accept paper money as an equal to coins?

During the late 1800s, economists realized most financial transactions were being made on credit. Due to these credit transactions, money became deferred consumption, a right to consume in the future that didn’t require a physical monetary form. Paper money helped bring official currency back into circulation and allowed our always cash-strapped federal government to issue physical money without the expense of purchasing metal on which to print that cash.

I know privately issued currency substitutes are called scrip. How did the term scrip come to be?

Scrip is an acronym for “Substitute Cash to be Redeemed in Person.” Scrip is treated as an alternative to legal tender through which the bearer can receive something (goods or a service) in return.

Is scrip legal in the United States?

Although scrip remains popular as a promotional marketing tool occasionally used in a well-defined community of users, paying wages in scrip is prohibited under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

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Please explain the difference between the 1922 No “D” and the 1922 Weak “D” Lincoln cent.

Any 1922 cent on which, under magnification, any trace of the Denver mintmark is visible is considered to be a 1922 Weak “D” cent. The Weak and Strong Reverse varieties of the 1922-D were caused by the Mint replacing worn reverse dies with newer dies.

Is there such a thing as a 1922 No “D” cent with both strong obverse and reverse?

Any 1922 No “D” cent with both strong obverse and reverse is likely a 1922-D cent on which the mintmark has been artificially removed. Most experts agree there are 1922-D with full mintmark, 1922 Weak “D,” 1922 No “D” Weak Reverse, and 1922 No “D” Strong Reverse varieties of this cent.

How can I get a job working for a coin dealer?

Most coin businesses are small mom-and-pop operations. If you are seeking employment, you should consider soliciting a larger organization to see if they could use additional help. The American Numismatic Association and CoinsWeekly.com are among the few that may advertise jobs. Indeed.com recently listed 61 jobs of “relevance” to numismatics.

What qualifications do I need to have if I want to work for a coin business?

Assuming you mean dealing with coins rather than support operations such as bookkeeping, IT work, and the like, you will need at least a rudimentary knowledge of some area of coins or bank notes. Most coin businesses are willing to be patient while you learn more as you get deeper into the technical aspects necessary to purchase and sell coins. 

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