davedawg

Ok, I'm new to collecting paper money (I only collected coins until recently when I got my first star note). I hate to ask a question that's probably been asked a million times but.....what do all of the letters and numbers mean on a bill? Basically, the letter before the numbers, the 8 digit numbers, the letter after the numbers, and the number that's located in each of the inside four corners (and I don't mean the denomination for all the S.A.'s out there : ) Also, what about the emblem to the left of the portrait with the letter in the middle, I've noticed that bills are printed at different banks. There's also a tiny letter/number sequence above the lower right number (e.g., FW C 19) Basically, what should I look for and what is worth collecting other than silver certificates and star notes? For some reason, I ordered a $100 pack of $2 bills from my bank and they came with the little wrapper over them and they are all consecutive numbers, big deal or who cares? I've also started collecting the older bills that are no longer in circulation, or minted I should say, mainly the larger bills like $50's and $100's. Sorry for the thesis, but could someone tell me what to look for, what's unique, and what everything on the bill represents. Thanks! If you need help with Lincoln Cents, I can help with that....paper money, no bueno.

clembo

WOW Dave!

Lots of questions and good ones at that. Unfortunately if we (currency collectors) were to answer all of them we'd be writing a book. They have been written so might I suggest buying a book?

For currency you'll see on a regular, fairly regular, rare basis I always suggest:

"The Standard Guide to Small Size U.S. Paper Money 1928 to Date" by John Scwartz and Scott Lindquist.

It's kind of like a "redbook" for small size paper. If you get one get the 8th edition as it's the newest.

Now, I'll take a stab at a few of your questions.

On one and two dollar notes the first letter represents the district it was printed for. There are twelve districts.

A is Boston
B is New York
C is Philadelphia
D is Cleveland
E is Richmond
F is Atlanta
G is Chicago
H is St. Louis
I is Minneapolis
J is Kansas City
K is Dallas
L is San Franciso

On the newer notes from $5 up there will be an additional letter in front of the "District" letter such as A through L. This identifies the series. For example a $20 note with an AB brefix means it is from the 1996 series New York District.

Now let's go back to singles. The letter after the 8 digit serial number combined with the district (prefix) is what is known as a "block". Some blocks can be very rare. This gets us into runs. There are 6.4 million notes per run with a possible total of 15 runs.
A block with only one run is scarce in high grades as most people just spend them and paper wears out AND it gets destroyed when worn out.

Am I coming off as a SA? Really don't mean to but making a point. There are SO many variables involved that it behooves you to do some serious reading. Coins have a mintmark and numbers assigned to them along with a year in which they were minted. (except for errors, etc.)

Currency takes that equation and magnifies it so to speak. Rare notes can be found in circulation. Believe me I've done it but had to know what to look for.


As for the pack of $2 notes you got there may be some goodies in there. First we'll need a lot more information.


WELCOME to currency!

clembo

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davedawg

Do I still have time to drop this course without receiving an F? I think I'll stick to coins and just keep looking for star notes and anything else peculiar looking. Thanks Clembo!

Numbers

Oh, it's not *that* bad.... See this page for a quick summary of all those little markings on the bills, and it'll all start to make sense....

clembo

LOL!

Don't drop the course you're doing fine asking really good questions. It's just that the answers get really involved.

Star notes, peculiar looking, low serial numbers, older notes post them! Pictures are really helpful.
We currency geeks are pretty understanding as most of us were coin geeks to start with. Me, I'm a double geek!

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A closed mind is no mind at all...

RickieB

Dave....

Whoooaa there Big Fella...let's look at it on the logical side for a moment.

Your interest in coins (and everyone else's) once began with a question, right?
Well no difference in currency either. A simple purchase of 20-25 dollars fro the 8th Edition of Schwartz/Lindquist as suggested by Clembo will be quite worth while!

I had been collecting coins for over 22 years and made a switch over to currency just 2 short years ago.
While my knowledge is pretty much basic on currency, I have learned quite a bit. In comparision to coins, currency is in it's infancy so to speak. You can assemble a darn nice collection with a moderate investment.

As with coins, it is all a matter of taste. Do not jump ship just yet, however, a combination of coins and currency is like having History and Calculus at the same time. Take it slow and read carefully, discover what you are interested in and read about it, then look for your collection pieces.

For me, I became interested in the Fractional currency of the Act of 1863 in the Era of the Civil War under Lincoln's Cabinet.
It has led me to revist the life and times of Lincoln, the mentality of the United States and it's defined National borders that fuled on of the greates internal Battles in History, The Civil War.

Currency is cool...why and how it was made, how it has eveoved and the reasons behind it.
Heck, you never know...you could be fascinated with a particular State and build your collection just around that!!

Good Luck..and stick around for a while...

RickieB

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"A disordered currency is one of the greatest political evils" Daniel Webster....
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U.S.M.C. 1972-1975

Pirata72

Welcome to the paper money side of the house. What Clembo and Rickie B say is so very true. Surely get your hands on some books and research what you can before buying. I typically collect what I like to look at, learn about, and places I've been. Focus on an area you like and when you get a little bored with that branch out. Will you make mistakes along the way? Yes, we all have. The key is to limit them and to make sure there aren't any major mistakes.

davedawg

Thanks for the encouragement, I think I will stick aroung because I just came across an awesome find at my bank, check out my thread "Star Notes vs. Old Money". Let me know what you guys think, Thanks!

clembo

Glad to hear that Dave as I did see your other thread. You have a great source lined up there.

clembo

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