Proof of the Month

by

Peter Huntoon

Robert Wess requested "something really neat from Baltimore." It is doubtful that he had in mind a pair of $20 Series of 1902 notes from one of the most common banks there. But take a close look. Notice “Error” written next to the title block on the top note. The formal title for the bank utilized a spelled-out “and,” but the sideographer mistakenly rolled in a borrowed “FARMERS & MERCHANTS” with an ampersand onto all four subjects as he was laying in a duplicate plate. The plate was certified May 27, 1924, but later some eagle-eye spotted the mistake, so the plate was sent for repairs. The entire line was replaced, and the plate was recertified June 14th. Notice that the fonts used for the letters in that line differ between the proofs. No sheets were printed with the mistake.

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