Disarmed $20 Dye Pack of 100 Notes PCGS Encapsulated Exploding Bank Pack Rare

Disarmed $20 Dye Pack of 100 Notes PCGS Encapsulated Exploding Bank Pack Rare

Offered here is a disarmed $20 Federal Reserve Note dye pack containing a full complement of 100 mutilated notes, encapsulated and authenticated by PCGS Banknote. These unique items were originally designed as security devices used by banks to deter robbery, and were rigged to explode with permanent dye upon unauthorized removal from the premises.

This particular model features an unknown manufacturer, adding to its mystique. What sets this example apart is its completeness—all 100 notes are present, a characteristic that is increasingly scarce among surviving dye packs. Though visually damaged and rendered unredeemable (each note is missing more than 50% of its surface), the set remains a compelling artifact of banking security history.

PCGS Banknote Certification:

• Label: PCGS Banknote Encapsulated Genuine

• Service: Pack Grading

• Contents: 100 mutilated $20 notes

• Status: Disarmed; no explosive hazard

Background:
Exploding dye packs were typically stored behind teller counters and remotely triggered to explode when stolen, dispersing red or blue permanent dye and sometimes tear gas to mark the thief and the stolen currency. These packs were never intended to enter collector circulation, and intact examples are rarely available—especially officially authenticated and encapsulated by a third-party grader like PCGS.

We last offered a similar PCGS-encapsulated $20 dye pack in April 2025, which realized $1,170 at auction—highlighting the strong demand and rarity of these items in certified form.

Collector’s Value:
This disarmed and encapsulated exploding dye pack represents a rare and unusual piece of modern American banking and law enforcement history. As a fully loaded example with 100 notes, officially verified by PCGS Banknote, it’s perfect for collectors of oddities, currency errors, or institutional artifacts. A true conversation piece—and a genuine rarity in certified form.