How To Remove Ink From Prop Money

Well, I plucked an awesome note from my til last night: A $10 with serial 11011011 that has writing on it.
So happy and so sad at the same time.

How can I *safely* remove that dastardly doodle?

Jaelus and paddyman98 like this.
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How much of doodling? Can you post a picture so we can see the Binary Radar Note?
Ouch...that's gonna leave a mark.
No suggestions from me, sorry.
Nevadabell The proof quarter from the year I was born.

Owww...so sad.
Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage
Lol is this a tested and tried method? The paper looks awesome
silentnviolent, I would invest in a phone call to your State Archives and ask to talk to one of their restoration/preservation folks. Of prime importance -- DON'T do anything to the note until you have a plan! Condition of the note is important but it most important that the note NOT be damaged by chemicals, etc. that would alter it's original condition. Store it in a mylar holder until you're ready or you have someone who has the expertise to assist you.
Thanks for the advice @techwriter
I've heard ballpoint pen is a lost cause.
Just curious if acetone doesn't work for glue, what are other options without damaging the paper?
Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

Isopropyl alcohol will loosen ink. Acetone is derived from it. I have used it on blue ink before but the older the ink is, the harder it is to desolve. It really depends on if the ink is a pigmented or dye based ink. A dye based being much harder to remove because it is absorbed by wood and cotton fibres.
What about glue residue? Is rubbing alcohol better than acetone? What are the best chemicals for a minimum of damage and a maximum of results?
Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

Since the ink on paper currency is a trade secret, I can't tell you what will harm it or not, and what may work on today's bills may not on older bills. The best advice is to either leave it alone if making it worse hurts the value (if its bad enough to begin with, what's to lose), or practice on some other currency that is only worth face no matter how bad or good it looks. As for the OP's bill, I would experiment on it, but that's just me.
Simple Green is what I use to remove time stamps from my paper work and you cannot tell
@techwriter I took your advice and called my state historical society who put me in touch with a professional book and paper conservator. She gave me some insight on what I can do at home since (in case anyone was wondering) it would cost $100-200 if I were to have it examined (most likely more if work was to be done).
Luckily the ink appears to be from a felt tip pen and not a ballpoint, so I need to go buy the correct pen and practice a bit before I give it a go.
silentnviolent, so glad to hear the news. Good Luck!! Hey, practice just a little bit before going all out. When you finish, let us know how it all worked out; especially what materials you used. I think many of us would like a few tips on this. Once again, good luck and be careful.
Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

How's the experiment going, have enough fingers left to type?
Lol, for some reason a felt tip pen was hard to find around here but I got one yesterday. I might try it a bit after work tonight.

Facevalue and Hommer like this.
Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

Well, how did it go? I have a bill I would like to get a stamp off.