Del Monte note
Encyclopedia
The Del Monte Note is a misprinted U.S. twenty-dollar bill with a red, green, and yellow Del Monte
banana sticker next to Andrew Jackson
's portrait. The sticker became affixed to the note during the printing process. The error occurred after the face plate had been printed but prior to the printing of the treasury seal
and serial numbers (these are two separate printing processes). The result is a note with part of the seal and serial numbers printed on top of the sticker - if the sticker were removed the corresponding area underneath would be blank. In the paper money hobby this "error note" is called a "retained obstruction". The vast majority of such errors do not retain the source of the obstruction and those notes that do sell for a substantial premium. The bill originated at the Fort Worth U.S. Treasury Department print facility. It was discovered by a college
student in Ohio
who received it from an ATM
. The note has been preserved in near perfect condition and was auctioned off on eBay
for US$
10,100 in 2003.
The note is very famous among currency collectors
and has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Bank Note Reporter and Numismatic News.
On January 6, 2006, the note was sold for US$25,300 by Heritage Auctions
of Dallas to Jackie and Bethany Gale Morales of Cleburne, Texas. More about the owners and the history of the "banana note", as it is commonly referred to, may be seen at Del Monte note homepage
Fresh Del Monte Produce
Fresh Del Monte Produce is a global producer, marketer and distributor of fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. Fresh Del Monte Produce is also a producer and distributor of prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks and desserts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa...
banana sticker next to Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
's portrait. The sticker became affixed to the note during the printing process. The error occurred after the face plate had been printed but prior to the printing of the treasury seal
Seal of the United States Department of the Treasury
The United States Treasury Seal is the official symbol of the United States Department of the Treasury. It actually predates the department, having originated with the Board of Treasury during the period of the Articles of Confederation. It is used on all U.S...
and serial numbers (these are two separate printing processes). The result is a note with part of the seal and serial numbers printed on top of the sticker - if the sticker were removed the corresponding area underneath would be blank. In the paper money hobby this "error note" is called a "retained obstruction". The vast majority of such errors do not retain the source of the obstruction and those notes that do sell for a substantial premium. The bill originated at the Fort Worth U.S. Treasury Department print facility. It was discovered by a college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
student in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
who received it from an ATM
Automated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
. The note has been preserved in near perfect condition and was auctioned off on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
for US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
10,100 in 2003.
The note is very famous among currency collectors
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...
and has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Bank Note Reporter and Numismatic News.
On January 6, 2006, the note was sold for US$25,300 by Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auction Galleries is the world's largest collectibles auctioneer and the third largest auction house, with over $700 million in annual sales and 600,000 online bidder-members...
of Dallas to Jackie and Bethany Gale Morales of Cleburne, Texas. More about the owners and the history of the "banana note", as it is commonly referred to, may be seen at Del Monte note homepage