Thread: Restoring Old Paper Money?

Here are the notes, folks. Like I said... they're in hard shape.

Yowsa! Those are pretty far gone... probably need some serious deacidification treatment, if that would even be of any help... not sure what can be done beside gingerly placing them in acid-free papers that can (very slowly over many years) help pull some of the acid out of those notes. Looks like bug holes and various kinds of foxing issues going on too. I'm curious if the time, effort and expense to restore them isn't even worth it and the money better spent on acquiring more stable condition pieces instead...

Told ya.

I don't really collect any notes, but I got these on the cheap in a bulk lot. I was after a couple of Brazilian notes, and didn't even realize these were in the batch until I opened the envelope.

I don't have any idea of their value, especially in this condition, but unless someone comes back with some additional info I'll probably take your advice.

Thanks!

Well, if someone else can verify their authenticity they are worth preserving in some fashion, but I'd keep them apart from other delicate collectibles and papers in this current condition. They look very brittle. If so, I'd avoid handling them and keep them out of the light. Hope someone else can help you out more. Good luck with them.

Actually, I'm pretty sure these are replicas.

I found a site with an actual Mississippi note, and there is no red in my note.



Plus, both notes appear on this list.

Kind of a stretch but even counterfeits, especially of an older variety, can occassionally be of some value depending upon their own history...

Originally Posted by krispy

Kind of a stretch but even counterfeits, especially of an older variety, can occassionally be of some value depending upon their own history...

I like your optimism.

Originally Posted by krispy

Kind of a stretch but even counterfeits, especially of an older variety, can occassionally be of some value depending upon their own history...

They are not counterfeits, they are modern copies made on thick, parchment like paper. By modern, I mean since the 1940s, the American Historical Products Company (at least I think that is their name) has been making copies of Confederate currency, Bank of the US notes, Texas notes, etc. on this type of paper. You can find the notes at historic sites. I found a group of their copies of colonial notes at Mount Vernon gift shop.

These remind me of the first time I was duped in this hobby. I bought a note in a frame much like these, (passing up some authentic foreign currency) at a yard sale. When I brought it in I was told it was an artificially aged copy. Artificial aging of these notes is commonly done by, you guessed it, heat/fire. It browns the paper, makes it brittle and appear old. Aside from the ink on the note not matching in color with the example you found, the ink used for the signatures was different, and being lead based, this ink would age to yellow and more rusty colors. Hope that helps!

Edit: wow, sorry for the necromancy here I thought it was a new thread. Oh well!