Fold Errors and Resulting Patterns

A fold error occurs when a piece of paper is accidentally folded before, during, or after printing, resulting in unusual patterns where some areas of the design are printed on the fold area while others are not.

How Fold Errors Occur

Large sheets of currency are handled multiple times during manufacturing:

After front printing, before back printing
After back printing, before numbering
After numbering, before cutting
During cutting or stacking

If a sheet becomes folded at any of these stages, the portions of the sheet that were folded during printing don't receive ink (or receive it in the wrong place), creating unusual patterns.

Types of Fold Errors

Accordion Fold (Zigzag Fold)

The sheet is folded back and forth like an accordion. When unfolded, the design appears in an unusual zigzag pattern across the note.

Center Fold

The sheet is folded exactly in half. When unfolded, notes from the fold area show:

Design reversed on one side (because it was printed on the outside of the fold)
Blank areas on the other side (because the fold area was against another surface during printing)

Corner Fold

Only a corner of the sheet is folded. The resulting note shows design disruption in the corner area, with blank or doubled portions depending on the fold configuration.

Edge Fold

An edge of the sheet is folded. The note shows misalignment or duplication of the edge design.

Visual Impact of Fold Errors

When a folded note is unfolded, it displays:

Blank areas – Where the fold prevented ink application
Reversed or upside-down design – Where the exterior of the fold received ink intended for the opposite side
Doubled portions – Where the fold created two layers receiving the same impression
Displaced design elements – Serial numbers or seals in unusual positions

Why Fold Errors Are Valuable

Fold errors are highly collectible because:

Visual drama – They create striking, unusual appearances
Clear authenticity – It's impossible to replicate a fold error artificially without creating obvious artificial evidence
Difficulty of occurrence – Modern manufacturing rarely produces fold errors because quality control catches them
Educational value – They demonstrate real manufacturing failures in a vivid way

Severity and Value

The value of a fold error depends on:

Severity of the fold – A dramatic fold affecting a large portion of the note is worth more
Visual uniqueness – Unusual fold patterns are more valuable than standard ones
Design disruption – How much of the portrait or important design is affected?
Condition – Uncirculated fold errors are significantly more valuable
Recovery quality – Can the note be unfolded without damage?

Valuation Range

Minor corner folds – $20-$100
Obvious center folds or edge folds – $100-$500
Dramatic accordion folds – $300-$1,500
Multiple or severe folds – $500-$3,000+
Professionally certified fold errors – Values based on grade; high grades command significant premiums

Unfolding Considerations

A critical decision for collectors with folded notes: should you unfold it?

Advantages of unfolding: Displays the unusual pattern, makes the error immediately obvious, might increase appeal to some collectors
Disadvantages of unfolding: Risks damaging the note, creates new creases, potentially reduces value if the note sustains damage during unfolding

Most collectors preserve fold errors in their current state, whether folded or unfolded, to avoid damage.

Authentication Note

Before assigning value to a fold error, verify:

The fold was caused during manufacturing, not by handling after circulation
The note shows characteristic patterns of a genuine manufacturing fold
Professional assessment confirms it as a genuine manufacturing error

Fold errors created during circulation (not manufacturing) have no collector value.