Iraq 250 Dinars 2002 Saddam Hussein Banknotes

Hello All,

Recently I acquired 10 AUNC bundles of Iraq 250 Dinars 2002 (100% original - comes with Watermark & Security Thread) Issue which as most know were made with low printing quality (which explains the multiple shade varieties existing).

The Standard Catalog Pick number is 88. All notes of this particular Pick number comes with a 4 Digit Prefix which I found in all the notes from these 10 bundles, except 1 particular note.

The Prefix Number in question is Prefix Number 0161. I found 1 note of Prefix Number 0161 where the Prefix number is printed as 161 (١٦١) instead of 0161 (٠١٦١). Now many might argue that maybe this particular Prefix Number (161) might have been printed as a 3 digit Prefix Number only. But as fate would have wanted, I found another note from this same Prefix Number where the Prefix Number is correctly printed as 0161 (٠١٦١). 

I have shared images of both the notes for everyone's views as well as comment. Could this 3 digit Prefix Number be considered as an Error? These 250 Dinars 2002 notes of Iraq in AUNC condition vary between US$ 0.25 to 0.50 in bulk lots. So, considering the low value of these notes, I don't think anyone would have tried tampering with these notes. Plus, there are no signs of tamper also.  

Awaiting your valuable feedback, and any explanation as to the cause of this anomaly.

Thanks & Regards,

Shabz

N#207254

Is there a published source for the belief that these are intended to all be 4-digits rather than 3-digits?

I have not noticed this number before--is it a “prefix” or really a “block” number?

Data if useful:

My 3 notes have 1701 0751 and 0513

Dear @gyoschak ,

Thanks for your reply.

I assumed them to be Prefix (and not Block Number) cause there is no Prefix around the Serial Number. And because Iraqi banknotes have had a precedent for printing Prefix, it was assumed by me that the Prefix number now has been printed in the Center of the Note and not near the Serial Numbers.

Coming to the part of whether 3 digit or 4 digit would be the Prefix norm for the Iraq 250 Dinars 2002 issue, I mentioned in my earlier post that I've checked 10 bundles (1000 notes), out of which 999 notes had a 4 digit prefix, with only Prefix Number 161 having both 4 digit and 3 digit variety. Even the Prefix that you have stated from your 3 banknotes are all 4 Digit Prefix only. And as per The Banknote Book, the Prefix issued for this issue is 0001 to 2482.

Hence with a decent sample set present, and with what's stated in the Banknote Book, it is safe to assume that the Prefix Number has to be a 4 digit number only.

Anyways, coming to my original query, is it safe to assume that this is an Error? Cause I have checked all the Security Features (including the Moire), and both the notes pass the Test.

Kindly advise.

Thanks & Regards,

Shabz