My parents gave me some older bills from when they we teenagers. They are $5 bills with Blue Seals and Serial Numbers. They say Silver certificates on the top border. How can I tell what they are worth? Thank you, JFA
Well if any are star notes they'll bring a premium. Condition is another major player. Look for any fancy serial numbers too (radars, repeaters, etc.). Post pics if you can. I have yet to be able to aquire a $5 silver certificate. I'm not a paper money collector but somebody that is will will pop in here pretty quick.
Thanks, but what is a star note? I am not sure I understand what you are making reference too in your remarks. How can serial numbers be fancy? What is a radar and repeater? I am confused? JFA
A star note is a replacement note. It is substituted for a note that was removed because of damage or defect. The serial number contains a star which designates it as a replacement. Here's a few links to give you some information about bank notes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_note http://www.aanotes.com/collecting/banknotes/anatadol.htm http://www.aanotes.com/collecting/banknotes/6US.htm
Thanks for the links. I now understand what a star note is. I remember a while back there was a person here cant recall their name that posted a whole slew of paper bills. I thought many of them were fake or not really what they looked liked because I was not for sure. My papents gave me some older $5 bills with blue serial numbers and blue seals and they say silver certificate on it. What is a good book to look these up in? Thank you. JFA
I generally collect error notes, but I have one book that okay for my needs - United States Currency - Large Size/Small Size/Fractional by Kenneth Bressett. A few of the other members will give you a pretty good list. Here's another like that has a lot of information: http://www.uspapermoney.info/
Here is some information about serial numbers 'fancy, 'ladder' etc... http://www.iccurrency.com/ref_fancy.htm
I'm not a currency expert by any stretch of the imagination but I collect a few here and there. I've read enough to be dangerous at this point. The best thing you can do is go to ebay and to the right of the search box, use "Advanced". Once that page comes up, use that new search field AND scroll down and check the box for "Completed listings only." Then search and see what people are paying for them. Usually red seals and star notes are the rarest. Blue seals are the most common. $1 being the most common. The $5 are a little rarer. If they are in crisp, pristine condition, it will help the value a lot. If they have creases, tears, circulation wear, it drops the value significantly. In all likelihood, without seeing them, I'll take a guess that they're more likely to be in the $10 to $20 range in value, each. Maybe $30 if in excellent condition. Of course more if they're stars or have low, unique serial numbers or are from a rare block. In short, they're worth saving but not rare. The sentimental value will be more important than the dollar value, IMO.
