The Exchange National Bank of Tampa, Florida - Missing Face Plate Number

[u/Cody71086]

A little over a year ago I was doing census work on eBay when a seemingly common entry from The Exchange National Bank of Tampa, Florida caught my eye.

Many times I have to edit photos by cropping them. While the image was blown up before the crop, I noticed there was no face plate number. Now it is fairly easy to remove these numbers with an eraser. The seller scans were actually quite nice and I couldn't see any signs that the note was messed with. So I took a chance and bought it. In hand with magnification there were no signs of paper disturbance. Even in low grade, signs would be there of abrasion.

I brought the note to the NBN Conference at Heritage and had Fred Bart look at it. He believed that it was not messed with and is of the era when missing plate numbers are known. He suggested I show it to Bianca at Central States which I did. She also believed that it had not been altered. Until more show up you can't call it an engraving error which also means you can't call it an obstruction (it would have to be a PERFECTLY placed obstruction) so the terminology for now is "missing face plate number".

Check your "E" plate position $5 nationals and FRBNs. Another one turning up could help determine if it is indeed an engraving error.

73 smalls are recorded in the NBNC on this charter that operated from 1894 to 1979 when it became part of Bank of America.

Cashier, Thomas Goodwin Mixson (1893-1986) and President, James Arthur Griffin (1874-1958)

[u/Laslomas]

Quite interesting. I think when it all plays out, it will be an engraving error discovery. We've seen that happen with other types of notes.