How Much are Web Notes Worth?

Web notes are a type of US bill that are both worth a potential ton of money AND pretty common to find.

In this blog we’re going to go through an overview of web notes, a type of dollar bill printed in 1988, 1993, and 1995. We’ll explain how to identify and profit from them by going to the bank, getting a few hundred dollars in bills, and searching through them.

It really is that simple.

Let’s dive in.

What is a web note?

Now, to the untrained eye, a web not just looks like a regular bill. And, to an extent, it is a regular bill. But with a key difference.

A web note is a type of dollar bill printed in 1988, 1993, and 1995. It looks like a standard $1 bill, but the difference is in the printing method used by the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Instead of the Intaglio method, Web notes are printed with using the Web printing method.

Web printing, also known as WebPress printing, involved using a continuous roll of paper instead of pre-cut sheets to print bills. This process allowed for a large amount of paper to be printed at once, but it had its downsides. The WebPress machine was prone to mechanical errors, which required constant maintenance and caused delays that added to expenses. Moreover, the final product was not of the best quality, as seen in the spotty printing on the word “one” in the bills. This combination of mechanical issues, higher costs, and subpar product quality led to the discontinuation of the WebPress printing process.

Do they still make web notes?

As you can imagine, the traditional process of printing banknotes has some inefficiencies. Printing each bill three times and only fitting 32 bills on a single sheet creates limitations. In an effort to improve efficiency, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing experimented with a new method of printing called web printing or WebPress printing. This method used a continuous roll of paper, similar to the rolls of cash register paper seen in many stores.

While the concept was promising, there were significant issues with the new printing machine. Mechanical errors were frequent, requiring constant repairs that increased both time and expense. Additionally, the quality of the final product was subpar, with spotty printing and other imperfections.

Ultimately, due to the high costs and low-quality output, the web printing method was discontinued after only being used for banknote series printed in 1988, 1993, and 1995.

How do you identify a web note?

So, how can you identify a web note? At first glance, it may look like a regular dollar bill. However, if you compare it to a regular bank note printed with the an Taglio method, you’ll notice a difference. The front block on a regular bill has a letter and a number, such as E 49. On a web note, there’s only a number, like a small nine. While the distinction may be small, it’s noticeable.

The easiest way to identify a web note is to look at the back and find the Backplate number. Every regular bill has the plate number located at the bottom of the letter E. On a web note, the plate number is right above the letter E, next to “In God We Trust.” This is a noticeable difference, and the plate number on a web note is easy to spot. It’s important to note that any bill from 1988, 1993, or 1995 should be turned over and checked for this identifying feature. So, by looking for the plate number above the E on the back of the bill, you can easily identify a web note.

How much are web notes worth?

Web notes can range in price, but are typically somewhere in the four to $20 range. If they’re in excellent shape or they’re from a rarer print run, you may be able to sell them for up to 50 to a hundred dollars. However, there have been some specimens that are in Unci condition that look really, really good, which you still might be able to find from a bank that have sold for the upwards of a thousand dollars. So, while it is not likely that you will find a thousand dollar specimen, it is possible.

Going to the bank and getting a few hundred dollars in bills is a great way to search for web notes. You can then search through the bills and, with some luck, you may be able to find a web note and sell it for a profit. It is important to remember that web notes are not likely to make you a millionaire, but they can be a great way to make a little bit of extra pocket change.

How many web notes are out there?

To give you a rough idea, here’s the full list of web notes and their serial number blocks:

1988A

• B..L 6 (part) Mixed run of web and regular May 1992
• F..* 3 (part) Mixed run of web and regular Jun 1992
• F 704 00001 L – F 768 00000 L Jul 1992
• F 832 00001 L – F 896 00000 L Jul 1992
• F 000 00001 M – F 064 00000 M Jul 1992
• F 576 00001 N – F 768 00000 N Sep 1992
• C 640 00001 A – C 768 00000 A Sep 1992
• A 256 00001 E – A 320 00000 E Nov 1992
• A 384 00001 E – A 448 00000 E Nov 1992
• A 576 00001 E – A 640 00000 E Nov 1992
• A 000 00001 F – A 128 00000 F Dec 1992
• E 448 00001 I – E 640 00000 I Feb 1993
• E 448 00001 K – E 640 00000 K Apr 1993
• A 832 00001 F – A 960 00000 F Jun 1993
• A 000 00001 G – A 192 00000 G Jun 1993
• G 448 00001 P – G 576 00000 P Jul 1993
• G 448 00001 Q – G 512 00000 Q Aug 1993
• F 512 00001 U – F 576 00000 U Oct 1993
• F 640 00001 U – F 704 00000 U Oct 1993
• F 896 00001 U – F 960 00000 U Oct 1993
• F 064 00001 V – F 128 00000 V Oct 1993
• F 192 00001 V – F 256 00000 V Oct 1993
• F 384 00001 V – F 448 00000 V Oct 1993
• F 576 00001 V – F 640 00000 V Oct 1993
• F 768 00001 V – F 832 00000 V Oct 1993
• F 896 00001 V – F 960 00000 V Oct 1993

1993

• B 192 00001 H – B 256 00000 H May 1995
• B 384 00001 H – B 448 00000 H May 1995
• C 384 00001 A – C 448 00000 A Jun 1995
• C 512 00001 A – C 576 00000 A Jun 1995

1995

• A 320 00001 C – A 448 00000 C Sep 1995
• D 640 00001 C – D 704 00000 C Nov 1995
• F 832 00001 D – F 960 00000 D Dec 1995
• B 320 00001 H – B 384 00000 H Apr 1996
• B 448 00001 H – B 512 00000 H Apr 1996
• A..D 13 (part) Mixed run of web and regular Jul 1996

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