United States · Miscellaneous

This case holds United States paper that does not belong in the federal series or in pop art on the $1: a Federal Reserve Note marked for circulation tracking, a Giori test note, and the 1933 Baraboo Golden Jubilee commemorative scrip.

Where’s George? (opens in a new tab) is a website that records the geographic path of United States paper money. Hank Eskin launched it on 23 December 1998. The name points to George Washington’s portrait on the $1. Anyone holding a note enters the denomination, series, serial number, and ZIP code. When someone else later enters the same serial, the site logs a “hit”: city, distance, and travel time. The FAQ says the site exists “for fun and because it had not been done yet.” The rules ask for natural circulation: spend the note in everyday life; do not mail it or pass it to acquaintances in order to manufacture hits.

The case opens with the Series 2006 Dallas $1, serial K46602688C, with red Where’s George? stamps and a “Currency Circulation Study” mark. It remains legal tender; the stamps document it as a tracking object, not as a type FRN. Beside it is the uniface Giori Lincoln Memorial test note, ca. 1970s: green, with no serials or seals and a blank back. It is not legal tender. The Baraboo scrip — six denominations, Shafer WI100, designed by E. B. Trimpey — has a type page, the 5¢ John Ringling note, serial A4895, the 10¢ Chas. Ringling note, serial A2844, the 15¢ Al. T. Ringling note, serial A2819, and the $1 Ringling Bros. note, serial A2002. The 25¢ and 50¢ wait for a serial or a certificate. Further pieces will be published as they are photographed.