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CIRCULAR NO. 215 FEDERAL RESERVE BANK O F N E W YORK CASH D E P A R T M E N T October 22, 1919. NEW COUNTERFEIT $50 FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE To ALL B A N K S , T R U S T C O M P A N I E S AND SAVINGS B A N K S IN THE SECOND F E D E R A L DEAR RESERVE DISTRICT, h SIRS: W e have to-day received circular letter N o . 438 from the Secret Service Division of the Treasury Department, Washington, dated October 20, 1919, giving the particulars of a new counterfeit $50 Federal reserve note. T h e details of this counterfeit are described by the Secret Service as follows: "On the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Massachusetts; check l e t t e r ' D ' ; face plate No. 1; W. G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury; John Burke, Treasurer of the United S t a t e s ; series of 1914; portrait of G r a n t . "This is a dangerous counterfeit, apparently printed from photomechanical plates, on two pieces of very thin paper, between which silk threads have been distributed. T h e portrait of G r a n t has a flat appearance common to mechanical reproductions; in other words, it does not stand out in relief from the background in the medallion. T h e lathe work in the border of the note is broken and indistinct. T h e seal is darker blue than the genuine. T h e number of the specimen at hand is A72280A. T h e figures of this number are much heavier t h a n those of the genuine. " T h e back of the note is more deceptive t h a n the face. There is an absence of m a n y of the fine lines in the figure representing P a n a m a on the back of note, which gives to this figure an unfinished appearance. The flag is missing from the mast of the vessel on the left end, back of note, as are also the fine lines representing the wireless apparatus, which run from mast to m a s t . " T h e above information is sent to banking institutions in this district for their information and guidance. Very truly yours, BENJ. STRONG, Governor.
@FedFRASER