Fractional Currency- Why Not as Popular?

What's Up Everyone, haven't been on Cointalk in a while, but I just stopped by my local coin shop and it reaffirmed my interest to get back on this forum!

Anyway, I was wondering why Fractional Currency has become less Popular over the years?

My Local coin Shop Owner said that he used to have many fractional currency pieces but were sold quickly, about 10-20 years ago, but now he said, not many people come in and ask to see what is left of his collection (though I did pick up a 50 cent third issue piece!)

Looking On eBay, there are fewer Fractional auctions compared to other coin subsections.

Is there a lack of Fractional currency left in the United States? Was there are time when it was shredded/ declared obsolete?

Anyway, just seeing If anyone has any thoughts about this topic

Thanks!
Greg

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Well, you location is a factor. I live in the South and you will have a hard time finding nice one at low prices. But, when I was in Detroit, MI working, I could find all I wanted then at reasonable prices. The reason that they are available up North, is because of the War Between the States. So most collector down here do not have many. -O)

 

Oh ok, good point. I am guessing that you see a lot more of Confederate Currency than those from the north, as well.

 

As a collector of alot of "Military Payments" I can say that Fractionals
Our going strong!! Atleast in the Higher Grades and TPG ones are
Concerned many people like to use these as an investment vehicle
Including myself

And something that will hold its value! Especially when there,s only
A small number available!

 

Yes, but I do not collect it as per say. I have two. To many were counterfeited.
I just stick to Fractionals, MPCs, All small size and star notes. Then all of the coins and MDing, Genealogy, Hunting , Fishing, and sports. I have too many things that I like to do and not enough time or money to do all. Oh well??????? -O)

 

Ok..it's hard to refrain from commenting here to this reply.

With the intervention of the Internet it is no more difficult to obtain fractional currency in Texas as it would be in Germany...for the love of Jesus guy's, location has hardly anything to do with it anymore.
Anything nice will cost you better money...would you sell a 65 for XF money? No way!
For coin shop dealers to carry fractionals is a matter of personal preference as a stock item. They are so readily available with the many online dealers and Auction Houses , it's not even funny.

So the real question here is how much money do you want to spend on your notes..I can point you to hundreds and hundreds of fractionals for sale if you have the $$$. Please understand that in fractional currency, while all grade ranges are available in most if not all Issues, it is advised to purchase premium examples. The really rare notes are owned by the elite collectors of fractionals...the Ford's, Boyds and Gengerks of this world. Just take a look at the registry sets on PCGS and PMG and you will see what I mean. There are more layers of fractional collectors than you realize and the notes they have will blow your socks off...good luck in your hunt, and if for whatever reason you cant locate what you want, just say the word and I will point you in the right direction...just have a big ole fat wallet ready to spend lots of cash for primo examples.
Yes, I am feeling a little agitated today...but come on guy's these are out there everywhere!!
Greglax..glad to see you back!! You let me know if I can help you locate what your looking for...there are many many places we can go.

RickieB

 

I think we all have that problem....LOL

 

If I remember correctly the total face value for fractionals was approx $20,215,635.00

The number of notes printed were 124,177,688 total notes.

These notes are still moneitized to this very day..yep, you can spend em if you want to.. Talk about blowing someone's mind...go pay for a 44 cent stamp with a 50 cent note.


RickieB

 

Then why leave the computer. I like to see what I want to buy. And if, money was no problem, then you would stay at home. I like to go to the store, shows, garage sales and antique stores and cherry pick notes. But you can stay at home and hope you can get a cherry note. -O)

 

In all my years here I have never received such an insult!

I think you have no idea what you are talking about...let me know if you care to match collections and compare?

Any time, just say the word!!


RickieB

 

What wrong. I collect and do not compete with others. I do not care if your collection is the best or the most expensive. I enjoy the hunt for WHAT I WANT, I could careless in what you want to compare. The insult is your on. Have a great day. -O)

 

The term "fractional currency" is new to me and this is my first post. Hi. This is what I love about this hobby....there is always something to learn. My question is what is fractional currency? Thanks.

 

1861-1865 during the war the hard coins dissappered and they needed something to work the commerce and for postage stamps. They first called it postage currency and the first ones issued were perforated, later it was just fractional currency and not perforated. They were issued in values from 3 cents to 50 cents and were in five series. 1st. one, 1862-1863, 2nd. 1863-1867, 3rd. 1864-1867, 4th. 1869-1875, 5th. 1874-1876

-O)

 

Originally Posted by Saercher 64
But you can stay at home and hope you can get a cherry note. -O)


Your choice of words was very poor, especially not knowing what my collection consists of. You see, it is not an insult to me, but to the years I put into building and hand picking a collection of "cherries" as you call them.





RickieB

 

It time to stand down. Semper Fi 1964-1970

 

good call saercher64, oo oo oo! but can someone answer my question, then you can go back to whatever only this time i will know what you guys are talking about. but after reading your intense posts a couple of things that was said about the fractional currency sounds contradicting. one was, location may have been the problem; then counterfeiting was mentioned, and last, the price...okay three things. anyway. i would be more concerned about the counterfeiting. especially since there are two different opinions about the availablity of this "fractional currency". maybe i don't want to know what fractional currency is after all. Besides, my mother always used to say, "Don't go out and look for the coin (i like coins), eventually it will come to ya!" interpret that anyway you guys like, please let's start over again, cool? cool.

 

Thanks for The Information, everyone. I didn't mean for this topic to get heated, but it's definitely great to hear different opinions!


I know my original statement about how Fractional Currency was not as popular at my local coin shop could only be a trend that the coin dealer personally experienced.

Among new coin or currency collectors, as in Hnstabe's case, fractional currency doesn't seem to be put on the radar as something to collect.

That Puzzles me because there are multiple issues and many variations, that it would seem like more people would want to begin a collection of fractionals.

Just my thoughts, and Rickie, I will definitely refer to you as I narrow my search for collecting something specific- as i go off to college I'll need to focus on expanding areas of my collection rather than a coin or Note in all small collections!

Greg

 

I know nothing about the fractional currency market, but as a long time paper collector I can certainly say that in the "olde days", finding notes in my area of collecting was far simpler. I could contact dealers and virtually all of them would have some nice French area notes in UNC condition, ready to sell me. I'm happy I was buying at the time, but I wish I'd had more money to pour in to them. Now, I find it very difficult to find such notes at all, searching far and wide.

Why do I mention it? Well, from external appearances if I contacted a dealer today for a price list, or looked at an online price list of notes available, or even did a search on eBay for quality French banknotes, I can tell you that very little would show up. I could easily take this to mean that the market was not as popular. I could hang around CoinTalk as well, and while its a great forum, I might get the impression that very few people collect non-US material.

So as I say, I know little of the market for fractional US currency, but is there a chance that rather than being "not popular" it is a very specialized field, with a small set of collectors looking only for absolutely top quality notes.... like many other areas of collecting?

Dave

 

Thanks for your reply. Interesting.

 

I joined right on time.

Don't worry about it. That's what these forums are about. It is a great learning tool for me, You are just passionate about collecting and very knowledgeable. Have a great weekend,