I came across a 5 dollar bill from 1953. It says series 1953 A. It has a red seal and red serial numbers. There is a red star in front of each serial number and the letter A after. The names are Priest and Anderson. Treasurer and Secretary of Treasury. The serial # is... star 08287916 A. It has a fold right down the center of Lincolns head, edges look good. It looks a little used but in all I would say in good condition. Just wondering if its worth anything. Thanks

Leo Vale

Wow, this really isn't making sense, unless the Moneyfactory.com got it wrong. Here's what I found on the Treasury's Burau of Engraving and Printing web site about currency series.

Series Year and Federal Reserve Bank Indicators

A new series will result from a change in the Secretary of the Treasury, the Treasurer of the United States, and/or a change to the note's appearance such as a new currency design. After the Secretary of the Treasury changes, a new series year is adopted (e.g. 1999). When the Treasurer of the United States changes, a suffix letter is added to the current series year (e.g. 1999A). Additional changes of the Treasurer, whereby the Secretary of the Treasury remains the same results in subsequent letter changes to the current series year (e.g. 1999B, 1999C, etc.).

source: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

OK, here's what we know

1. Humphrey was the Sec of Treasury from Jan 20, 1953 - July 29, 1957

Therefore, currency printed during his tenure should bear the series year 1953.

2. Priest was Treasurer of U.S. from Jan 28, 1953 - Jan 20, 1961

Priest's term began 8 days AFTER Humphrey's tenure as SecTreas. If any bills were printed in the 8 days between when Humphrey started and Priest arrived, they should bear the series 1953 and have Clark (Priest's predecessor) and Humphrey's signature. I have posted an image on page 3 showing my bill is a 1953, yet the signators are Priest/Humphrey.

Once Priest began serving as TreasUS under Humphrey, new printed paper currency should have been designated as the 1953-A series and the signators should have been Priest/Humphrey. Again, my $5 bill is a 1953, but the signators should suggest it is a 1953-A.

3. Anderson became Sec of Treasury July 29, 1957

Since the SecTreas changed, a new series year should be adopted when Anderson arrived and they should bear the series year 1957. Since Priest was still TreasUS and he and Anderson resigned Jan 20, 1961 currency with their signatures should be 1957 series (no letter suffix).

As an aside (for those who haven't seen a pattern), entrance and resignation dates for new officials at this level (not surprisingly) coincide with, or are very close to, the inauguration day of a new President.

So if the BEP web site is accurate, why is my bill a 1953 series and not a 1953-A, and why is Angelo's bill a 1953-A and not a 1957?

My guess is that either I misinterpreted the explanation of how series years/letters are assigned or it's inaccurate (perhaps by ommission).

angelo244b

OK guys! I have done some searching too, if we all see that Robert B Anderson wasn't Sec of the Treasury UNTIL July 29th 1957 WHY is his signature on the bill I have? Error note? is there a simple explanation? which is it?

angelo244b

OH by the way. Thank you to Leo Vale for bringing this to our attention. You are on top of your game sir! THANKS!!!!!