Spot The Difference

[Mulboyne]

This misprinted note turned up on Yahoo Auction, much to the concern of the police. Can you spot the problem?

[osopolar]

This misprinted note turned up on Yahoo Auction, much to the concern of the police. Can you spot the problem?

Other than the fact that it is missing the serial number on the top left/bottom right, and the Nihon ginkou red circular stamp? or that it says 'mihon' on the top - maybe a watermark claim on the work?

[sublight]

The colors seem too purple, but that could just be in the photo.

There are three square dots on the bottom left and right corners that don't appear on a regular bill.

[Christoff]

There is no green print layer and three crop marks in the lower left side.

[omae mona]

If you hold it up to the light, you can see a picture of Taro in the middle!

[American Oyaji]

This misprinted note turned up on Yahoo Auction, much to the concern of the police. Can you spot the problem?

Dunno. I don't touch yen too often these days but it seems the chap has a woman's hair do.

[eddie]

isn't all the writing right to left? i suppose i could check that out pretty easily...

[GomiGirl]

[sillygirl]

Really bad pic of Charlie Chaplain?

[Coligny]

If you hold it up to the light, you can see a picture of Taro in the middle!

No, that's a feature of the regular notes too...

[Number11]

[Mulboyne]

Actually, I've screwed up here. Sorry for those of you poring over the photo. An early report called them misprints but every article I've seen subsequently (like this one in Japanese) says that they are actually early samples of the new 1,000 yen note which first appeared a few years ago. Like others, I thought the lack of hanko & serial numbers was the error but the samples were never intended to have them.

All of these samples were supposed to be incinerated but it seems some have survived and are much sought after by collectors. The report linked to above says that the bid price quickly went above a million yen. Apparently, this sample appeared on Yahoo a few years ago where media coverage led to a rush of fake bids and the auction was cancelled. The printing bureau believes it knows which facility the note came from and believes it was stolen. The seller, a Chinese national, initially said he would return it but has concluded that he acquired it legitimately and is selling it once again.