Mutilated Currency

MARINETTE, WISCONSIN

PREPARATION AND REDEMPTION

MUTILATED U.S. PAPER CURRENCY

Public Service

Do you know what to do to replace badly damaged currency?

The Department of Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, redeems partially destroyed or badly damaged currency as a free public service. Every year the U.S. Treasury handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million.

The Office of Currency Standards, located in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, uses experts to examine mutilated currency and will approve the issuance of a Treasury check for the value of the currency determined to be redeemable.

What is Mutilated Currency

Currency notes which are:

NOT CLEARLY more than one-half of the original note and/or,
In such condition that the value is questionable and special examination is required to determine its value.

Currency can become mutilated in any number of ways. The most common causes are fire, water, chemicals, explosives; animal, insect or rodent damage; and petrification or deterioration by burying.

Under regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury, mutilated currency may be exchanged at face value if:

More than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present; or
50% or less of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, and the method of mutilation and supporting evidence demonstrates to the satisfaction of the U.S. Treasury that the missing portions have been totally destroyed.

What is not Mutilated Currency

Any badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn, worn out currency note that is CLEARLY MORE than one-half of the original note, and does not require special examination to determine its value.

These notes should be exchanged through our bank and will be processed by the Federal Reserve Bank.

Shipment of Mutilated Currency

Mutilated currency may be mailed or personally delivered to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. When mutilated currency is submitted, a letter should be included stating the estimated value of the currency and an explanation of how the currency became mutilated. Each case is carefully examined by an experienced mutilated currency examiner. The amount of time needed to process each case varies with its complexity and the case workload of the examiner.

The Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has the final authority for the settlement of mutilated currency claims.

Although Treasury examiners are usually able to determine the amount and value of mutilated currency, careful packaging is essential to prevent additional damage.

The following procedures should be applied when packaging mutilated currency:

Regardless of the condition of the currency, Do Not Disturb the fragments any more than is absolutely necessary.
If the currency is brittle or inclined to fall apart, pack it carefully in plastic and cotton without disturbing the fragments and place the package in a secure container.
If the currency was mutilated in a purse, box or other container, it should be left in the container to protect the fragments from further damage.
If it absolutely necessary to remove the fragments from the container, send the container along with the currency and any other contents that may have currency fragments attached.
If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll or fold the notes.
If the currency was in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out.
If coin or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it. Any fused, melted or otherwise mutilated coins should be sent to the United States Mint for evaluation. The United States Mint is located at the following address:

Superintendent
United States Mint
P.O. Box 400
Philadelphia, PA 19105

For cases that are expected to take longer than four (4) weeks to process, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will issue a written confirmation or receipt.

Mailing Address

Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Office of Currency Standards
P.O. Box 37048
Washington, DC 20013

All mutilated currency should be sent by "Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested". Insuring the shipment is the responsibility of the sender.

Personal deliveries of mutilated currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are accepted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Office of Currency Standards is located at 14th and C Streets, S.W., Washington, DC.

About Us   Bank Products & Services   Rate Information   Clubs & Programs
Privacy Statement   Comments & Feedback   Vacation Planner   Student Union
Resource Guides   Tri-County Profile   Sports Information   Home