Submitted by Donald See on Tue, 09/25/2012 - 13:53
Forums:
I originally thought that the only way to identify a small size replacement note was by the serial numbers being 'crooked' or having a definate upward or downward tilt.
There is an article on Series 1929 National Bank Replacement Notes in the March/April, 2012 issue of Paper Money. On page 98 of the article, there is a diagram showing the critical diagnostic alignment within the brown overprints on Type 1 National Bank Notes.
I made a transparent overlay using a random Type-1 NBN from my collection (hoping that it would be a regular issue note). I then used this overlay to examine my other notes.
I scanned the notes that were off (either significantly or just barely). Those scans are shown below.
My questions are:
1. How far off does the alignment have to be before it is an unquestionable replacement?
2. Which, if any, of the notes shown are replacement notes?
3. Will the third party graders (either PMG or PCGS) label them as replacement notes?
Re: Series 1929 National Bank Replacement Notes
The only way I can post additional images seems to be by using the reply option.
So, here is the note with the largest alignment discrepency.
Re: Series 1929 National Bank Replacement Notes
Still another note.
Re: Series 1929 National Bank Replacement Notes
I've spoken with Jim a few times regarding these replacements, and he always emphasizes the placement of the serials relative to the treasury seal, as you have done with your overlay. Having said that, I agree that the lower left serial is not a reliable diagnostic. Your Wakefield note is similar to a Farmington, MN note I have -- an F position note -- where the A suffix is below the S in DOLLARS; yet Jim confirmed that it is not a replacement. The position of the upper right serial relative to the treasury seal is the best diagnostic. For non-replacements or normal production notes, the base of that serial number should be about 10mm above the top of the treasury seal, and a vertical line bisecting the seal should touch the left part of the fourth numeral of a type 1 note, or the right part of the first numeral of a type 2 note.
Based on how the upper right serials align in your notes here, I would say that they are not replacements.
Re: Series 1929 National Bank Replacement Notes
BTW, I know PMG will label a replacement as such. A friend of mine submitted a 1929 type 2 from Long Prairie, MN (from the first sheet) and was surprised to see it come back with the replacement label. He didn't recognize that it was one.