United States Paper Money Collection United States Paper Money CollectionThe original engraved portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the Series 1928 B $10.00 Federal Reserve Note experienced excessive wear on the plate. A decision was made in early 1930 to re-engrave the portrait. A line was added to the ornamental engraving surrounding the numeral in the upper right-hand corner to distinquish the new plates.
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Below is a letter from Alvin W. Hall, Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to Walter E. Hope, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
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March 5, 1930
For Mr. Hope [Assistant Secretary of the Treasury] The portrait of Alexander Hamilton, appearing on $10 bills, is not wearing as long as it should. In other words, it is not possible to get a large number of impressions from the plates made from the present master die. Through the years it has been in use, it has shown some wear. Within the past few weeks a roll was taken down from the master die, and a portrait laid down from this roll. This protrait was re-engraved by one of our best men. I am attaching hereto a face impression of the $10 bill made from the die now in use, and one taken from the die after having been re-engraved. While the difference between the two is not noticeable to the naked eye, there are, of course, some changes in the line construction, which could be found through the use of a glass. With your approval all $10 plates hereafter will be made bearing the new portrait. Each plate will be marked as to make a distinction between the new and old portrait. On plates bearing the new portrait, it is planned to add a line in the ornamental engraving surrounding the numeral in the upper right-hand corner. This mark of distinction I have noted with a pencil mark.
A. W. Hall [Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing] |
The percentages of plates used with the new mark serve roughly as guide for the percentages of notes printed with the variety.
| District | Percent of Plates with Mark | First Day Plate with Mark sent to Press |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 14 | 24 Jul 1931 |
| New York | 40 | 12 Sep 1930 |
| Philadelphia | 18 | 08 Mar 1933 |
| Cleveland | 69 | 16 Feb 1931 |
| Richmond | 46 | 19 Dec 1930 |
| Atlanta | 52 | 29 May 1931 |
| Chicago | 5 | 27 Jun 1932 |
| Saint Louis | 0 | - |
| Minneapolis | 54 | 25 Nov 1932 |
| Kansas City | 46 | 15 Dec 1930 |
| Dallas | 60 | 09 Jan 1931 |
| San Francisco | 36 | 16 Dec 1930 |