FedCash® Services Deposit Visual Reference Guide

The following visual reference guide can be used to help you properly prepare your deposits for shipment to the Federal Reserve Banks. For additional information, use your mouse to scroll over each photo. You can also print a copy for your desktop reference.

Currency

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Description Correct Incorrect
All Notes

  • All notes must face portrait-side forward.
  • The face-forward orientation of the portrait may be right-side up or upside-down.
  • All notes in deposit must clearly be more than 50% of a note to receive credit. Currency is considered mutilated if a note is damaged to the extent that 50% or less of the note remains, or its condition is such that its value is questionable and special examination by trained experts at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) (Off-site Link) is required before any exchange is made. The Federal Reserve DOES NOT accept deposits of mutilated currency.
  • The notes should be straightened, and all corners and edges should be aligned.
 All notes portrait side up

Portrait side up, mixed right side up and upside down		 Incorrect, not all notes portrait side up
Description Correct Incorrect
Straps

  • All straps must have 100 notes of the same denomination and must have only one strap around it.
  • Each currency strap must be bound by a single color coded strap.
  • Do not use brown paper straps, that is, those straps made of recycled stock paper, as they do not image well. We strongly encourage the use of white paper straps to ensure information is captured when imaged.
  • Straps must be color-coded (along the edges) to conform to existing standards of the American Bankers Association ("ABA").
  • All paper clips, staples and/or rubber bands must be removed.
  • Mutilated or contaminated currency must be included in the strap (refer to FedCash Services Manual of Procedures (PDF) for special handling instructions).
  • Sub-straps, which are a strap of 100 notes subdivided by multiple straps, are not permitted.
Correct strap placement and color Bank stamp incorrectly placed on portrait side

Incorrect mixed straps, rubber bands and paper clips
Description Correct Incorrect
Stamps

  • Each strap must be stamped with the following information:
    • Depository Institution's (DI's) name;
    • ABA routing number;
    • Four-digit identification number (branch number) of the depositing office (a strap not indicating an office identification number is deemed to be from a DI's head office).
  • A strap should indicate the dollar amount of currency in the strap, the date of verification and contain initials or names of the persons who verified the strap.
  • The bank stamp should be placed on the back outside of the strap, not the portrait side.
  • Use black ink on the stamp to help ensure good quality images.
Correct bank stamp placement Incorrect bank stamp placement on portrait side and use of red ink
Description Correct Incorrect
Bundles

  • A bundle consists of 1,000 notes of the same denomination in ten equal straps of 100 notes each.
  • The bundle must not contain mixed denominations.
  • For the $1s through $20s denominations, your deposit(s) must contain full bundles. $50s and/or $100s denominations may be deposited in full straps or full bundles.
  • Straps must be bound together, for example with two tight-fitting rubber bands or zip ties such that the straps are securely held together but not so tight as to cause damage to the notes.
 Correct Bundle Incorrect bundle with multiple rubber bands and straps
Description Correct Incorrect
Currency Bags

  • Clear plastic bags must be used for deposits by armored carrier.
  • The bags must be at least 5 mils thick.
  • The bag must not contain more than 16 bundles of currency.
  • The bags containing the deposit must be securely sealed with a tamper evident seal so that any unauthorized access is easily detected, and must be free of holes and tears.
  • The bags must bear DI identification (logo and/or name).
  • Each bag should have a bag tag attached to the seal or within a compartment of the bag separate from the currency.
  • The tag must indicate ABA number, bank/branch name, and dollar amount of the contents on each bag.
  • The tag should indicate the bag number (e.g. “Bag ___ of ___”).
  • The bag tag should not be placed inside the bag.
  • If using a large-capacity currency bag for a small deposit, please be sure to cinch or seal the bag in such a way so as to prevent tearing of the straps or breaking the bundles in transit.
Correct currency bag with handwritten DI identification

Correct currency bag tag DI identification

Correct plastic seal currency bag tag DI identification		 Incorrect currency bag with tag inside, torn strap and loose notes

Incorrect currency bag with tag inside and small deposit in large bag uncinched

Incorrect currency bag with tag inside, torn strap and loose notes

Incorrect currency bag with bag tag inside
Description Correct Incorrect
Contaminated Currency

  • The Federal Reserve DOES NOT accept deposits of contaminated currency without prior notification which includes the nature of the contaminants, the general condition of the notes and the details of the deposit.
  • Contaminated currency means a note damaged by or exposed to a contaminant to the extent that it cannot be processed under normal operating procedures or may pose a health or safety risk.
  • Deposits of contaminated currency must be double-bagged, and the word “CONTAMINATED” should be written in permanent marker and large letters on the outside of the outer currency bag.
  • Contaminated currency must not be co-mingled with normal deposits and must have a separate deposit ticket with detailed breakdown.
  • Deposits must be prepared by denomination, in straps of 100 notes and bundles of 10 straps, whenever possible. Less than 100 notes of a single denomination should be strapped and marked with a piece count and dollar amount.
  • A deposit ticket must not be inside  the currency bag. It should be placed on the outside of the bag or given to your armored carrier so that they can deliver it to your servicing Federal Reserve Office with your deposit.
  • The notes may be stapled in a fan shape to expedite the piece-counting process.
  • Review the Contaminated Currency and Coin Policy for complete details on handling contaminated coin items.
 Correct packaging of contaminated Incorrect packaging of contaminated, not double bagged
Description Examples
Mutilated Currency

  • The Federal Reserve DOES NOT ACCEPT deposits of mutilated currency.
  • Mutilated currency means a note that has been damaged to the extent that one-half or less of the note remains, or its condition is such that its value is questionable and special examination by trained experts at the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) (Off-site Link) is required before any exchange is made.
  • Unfit currency is currency that is not suitable for further circulation because of its physical condition, such as torn, dirty, limp, worn, or defaced. 
  • Mutilated currency must be sent directly to the BEP with a letter stating the estimated value of the currency and an explanation of how the currency became mutilated.
  • Burnt currency that is clearly less than one-half a complete note, and cannot be handled without compromising its integrity, is considered mutilated currency.
  • You may call the BEP toll-free number, 1-866-575-2361, or visit the BEP Web site (Off-site Link) to obtain more information on shipping instructions for mutilated currency, and to see photographic examples of mutilated currency.
To view the examples of mutilated currency, visit the BEP Web site (Off-site Link).

Coin

Description Correct Incorrect
Coin Deposits

  • When preparing a coin deposit, make sure to piece count and verify the coin and not mix coin of different denominations in the same bag. Bags found to have these errors may be rejected by the Federal Reserve Office and returned to the depositor at their expense or differences associated with these errors may be charged to the depositor.
  • Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea and Presidential dollar coins may be bagged together, but they must be bagged separately from Eisenhower dollars.
  • Sack loose coin by denomination in plastic or canvas bags.
  • Deposits of boxed or wrapped coin are not accepted.
  • Bag tags should not be placed inside the bag.
Correct canvas bag with tag DI identification

Correct plastic bag with label DI identification		 Incorrect mixed denominations of coin

Incorrect wrapped coin

Incorrect boxed coin

Incorrect Eisenhower dollar coin mixed with other dollar coins
Description Correct Incorrect
Plastic Coin Bags (and Pallets)

  • Coin deposits may be made in either traditional standard canvas bags with seals or plastic bags.
  • Plastic bags must meet the following requirements:
    • Must possess a tamper-evident seal;
    • Reinforced handle able to withstand hang test with +100 lb. load;
    • Material must be 6.5-mil gauge;
    • Size must approximate that of standard canvas bag;
    • Contents must be clearly visible through the packaging material; and
    • Each bag must have a label on the opposite side of the handle showing the denomination, dollar amount, depositor’s name, and ABA routing number (with four-digit branch code).
 Correct plastic bag pallet, all bag tags facing out Incorrect plastic bag pallet, bag tags not facing out
Description Correct Incorrect
Canvas Coin Bags (and Pallets)

  • Canvas bags must meet the following requirements:
    • Each canvas bag must have a color-coded tag, in accordance with the ABA standards based on denomination;
    • The tag must contain the denomination, dollar amount, depositor’s name and ABA routing number with four-digit branch identifier; and
    • A tamper-evident seal with the depositor’s identification must be used.
    • Bags should not be torn or damaged.
  • If depositing in pallets, bags should be neatly stacked.
 Correct canvas bag pallet Incorrect canvas bag pallet, bag tags not facing out and show tampering
Description Examples
Mutilated Coin

  • The Federal Reserve DOES NOT accept deposits of mutilated coin.
  • Coin classified as mutilated should be forwarded directly to the U.S. Mint (for the address, refer to the FedCash Services Manual of Procedures (PDF)).
  • Mutilated coin is not redeemable at face value; it is redeemable only at its bullion (metal) value as established by the Director of the U.S. Mint.
Examples of mutilated coin
Description Correct Incorrect
Contaminated Coin

  • The Federal Reserve DOES NOT accept deposits of contaminated coin.
  • Contaminated coin must be decontaminated per the guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for decontamination of “Other Household Surfaces and Items.”
  • If you want to deposit the coin after decontamination, contact the Federal Reserve  for further instructions.
  • Review the Contaminated Currency and Coin Policy for complete details on handling contaminated coin items.
Photographic Example Not Available Photographic Example Not Available

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