What does PP/Block mean?

[richard l herron]

I am currently trying to fill out my first submission form to PMG and have two questions. What does PP/Block mean and if you have a note with a watermark you would like designated on the holder, does that watermark info need to be entered in the box labeled "Variety/Pedigree?

[G. D. Snyder]

PP means "plate position". For large size US notes the plate position is a letter, often in fancy font, from A to D somewhere on the face of the note. For small-size US notes (other than Web press $1 Federal Reserve Notes that have no plate position) it will be a letter in both the upper left and lower right of the face, each of which will be followed by a number. The plate position for small size US notes begins at A but I don't know how high the letters actually go (I've personally seen them go as high as Q for silver certificates). "Block" refers to the two letters on either side of the serial number (e.g., a note with serial number A12345678F would be from the AF block). Block numbers for star notes have only one letter and a star (e.g., serial number A12345678* would be the A* block). If you want a watermark noted on the label (typically not necessary since it would a standard feature of the note being graded) you could note that in the "Variety/Pedigree" field.