Series 1963B $1 Federal Reserve Note – Richmond District ("Barr Note")

• Catalog Reference: Friedberg #1902-E (Fr. 1902-E)

• Denomination: $1 (One Dollar)

• Type: Small-Size Federal Reserve Note (Green Treasury Seal & Green Serials)

• Series: Series 1963 B

• District: E5 – Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Virginia

• Signatures: Granahan – Barr (Kathryn O’Hay Granahan, Treasurer of the United States; Joseph W. Barr, Secretary of the Treasury)

• Serial Number: E 40098463 F

• Plate Positions: Front position letter E 3 (upper left), Front plate E 140 (lower right), Back plate 1063 (lower right quadrant below the "ONE")

Historical Significance & Variety Breakdown

• The "Barr Note" Phenomenon: Joseph W. Barr served as Treasury Secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson for merely 28 days (December 23, 1968 to January 20, 1969)—the shortest tenure of any Treasury Secretary in U.S. history.

• Collector Legend: Because the public assumed his notes would be exceptionally scarce, millions of 1963B $1 notes were pulled directly from circulation and hoarded in 1969. Although nearly 460 million notes bearing his signature were actually printed across all districts, Barr notes remain one of the most famous novelty "entry-level" collectibles in U.S. paper money history.

• Motto Reverse: Features the standard modern reverse with "IN GOD WE TRUST" prominently centered above the "ONE".

• Serial Pattern: Digits present are 0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 (features a pair of non-consecutive 4s and a pair of consecutive zeros: 4 00 98 4 63). Regular-issue circulation sequence.

Condition Assessment

• Technical Grade: About Uncirculated to Crisp Uncirculated (AU 58 – CU 62)

• Paper & Eye Appeal:

  • Clean, bright paper with original white margins and square 90-degree corners.

  • No heavy vertical center fold breaking the intaglio ink or paper fibers across George Washington's portrait.

  • Displays minor handling ripples/soft teller waves and faint margin toning at the upper and lower edges from long-term sleeve/album storage.

  • The green Treasury seal, serial numbers, and dark green back lattice retain crisp, raised plate embossing.