i have a 2003 star note i found in change a while back and kept hidden. i dug it out since ive started cataloging my collection of notes and coins and i want to ask a question. how do you grade a note? this note does not have a fold wrinkle or a crease, no writing or stamps on it. it looks "pristine" to me, like it just came off the printing machine. i can provide pics if need be. i like star notes and ive seen them from time to time and ive started to keep them if they're in really good condition, have a low serial number, etc. and not that i care but could it be worth anything in the future? serial is B 08588016 * not exactly a low serial number.
I dont really know how they grade paper money, but what you have sounds like CU - or Crisp Uncirculated
I'm guessing this is a $1 bill due to the lack of a "D" in your serial number. Sounds like a CU to me also.
here's a scan i took of the bill. my scanner is far better than my camera. and apparently there is a slight crease at the top towards the left. i wasnt happy to see that!:headbang:
wow! nice shape! i do see that bend at the top, and the face of the note is not perfectly centered. I might give it a CH, maybe a Gem 65 by the PCGS guide. Keep in mind i am no expert in grading, and scans can hide alot. I only give it a 65 because the slight bend near the top, but mostly because of the centering on the face. PCGS stated 'The centering should be well above average, although minor imperfections in the centering are permissible if the margins are broad.' on the Gem 65.
While the design is centered, the overprint is off center. This is a Series 2003A (yes the letter makes a difference). There were 7,360,000 printed for the New York district, the second most common for this series. Most dealers would try to tell you that the crease knocks it down to AU grade, but that's not true. I'd keep it, but don't plan on being able to sell it for a premium to anyone other than another collector. I personally would keep it. The best notes in a collection are the ones you found yourself.
Eh? I certainly wouldn't call it anything above AU with a crease into the design. The lower CU grades are allowed corner bumps or counting crinkles, but this note has an honest fold....
It doesn't look like a fold to me. It looks like the type of crease I usually see from manually counting brand new notes. Of course this type evaluation is difficult to do from scans. If the crease extends all the way across the note or is from actually folding the note, then Numbers is most definitely correct that the note becomes an AU.
i agree. i dont see a 'fold' at all. only a small 'bend'. however, with note in hand, if there is a fold .. well, its already been said.
Hmmm...maybe you're right. I thought I was looking at a broad corner fold that went all the way through to the left edge of the note, but as has already been said, it's hard to tell from a scan....
the bend at the top pretty much stops where it meets the inks on the back. it is NOT a fold and does NOT go all the way through to any other edge. and i do plan on keeping it. i was just wondering what kind of grade it might and what it might be worth. i like the note and i think its a nice clean star note, the best ive ever found and i dont think i'd ever let it go. i experimented with different DPI's (from 200 up to 4800) and scales (100%-45%) to try and show as much detail of the note as possible. it lays flat, it doesnt curl, the corners don't lift. i really dont want to handle it more than i have already. i even made sure not to bend or fold it when i got it at the store in my change. the scanner does not do it justice IMO. my only complaint is its a tad heavy on the ink. like they just used a tad too much on the note. its the finest condition note i have next to a plain crisp 5 dollar bill i kept because its in the same condition minus any bends. why did i keep it? just as an example of a nice crisp new 5 dollar bill, no other reason. i like the look and feel of new fresh notes. my next question is...how do i store this thing? can i have it slabbed like a coin? cuz that would be nice, just for the fun in having it slabbed so i can look at it and appreciate it without having to touch it. and it stays in a dark dry cool place with the rest of my notes.
yes, you can have it slabbed by a number of tpg's that grade currency. If you dont want it slabbed, do a search here on contalk for currency sleeves - there is a long thread on holders. just make sure you use Mylar-d!
i think i would rather have it slabbed than put it in a sleeve. just for the extra security for the note itself to ensure it never gets bent or folded. PCGS makes you become a member before you can send one in to be slabbed. i understand why but im not sure i want to go through all that just to get it slabbed. im kinda torn on this.
Well well well....seems like NY notes are sure getting popular around here...hummmm wonder why that is?? Nice note..I call it high AU low CHCU... I got a $10 Cleveland star in change today SN# DD00529595 man it has been through the ringer more than a few dozen time.. VF to Good at best!! Too Bad.. If anyone wants it at face let me know..it's yours. Regards, RickieB
smokemonkey - most tpg's that grade currency use 'soft' holders. So even though it is graded, it can still get bend/folded/creased/poked ect ..... for the cost of slabbing and all the hooplah, you may want to take a loook at capital plastics holders for currency. they are 1/4" thick hard plastic - no folding, creasing, bending or poking possible. they cost around $13-$15 for a holder, i dont know what it costs to get a note graded by PCGS or any of the other tpg's. good luck.
i think i'll just get a holder for it. i dont think having it slabbed would be worth it. it is a nice note but will never really be worth anything and just isnt worth the extra expense ultimately. maybe in a couple decades...who knows.
