Perhaps four years and hundreds more E-Sylum readers will make a difference. In early 2006 I asked if anyone knew how to remove a rare banknote from its heat-laminated plastic tomb. I got no answers. I have not been able to discover how to dissolve or vaporize the plastic without harming the paper or inks embedded within. Perhaps it is a technical impossibility, like restoring a scrambled egg to its original state in the shell. Nevertheless I haven't given up hope... Please help!!"

On a related topic, about 15 years ago I visited the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. and purchased in their gift shop two blocks of Lucite each containing a new $1 bill. Both are 1988 district 7 (Chicago). I have no idea if these are still sold at the BEP.

I still find these intriguing. I have no idea how they could create a block of Lucite with the bill almost perfectly centered so that it looks like it's floating without damaging the note.