I have a friend at a different currency forum that recently picked up a Fr-239 for an incredibly good price, (around $37.00). This large size Silver Certificate sells for 3-4 times it's Fr-237 & Fr-238 counterparts. I took a look at the note he bought, and OMG, what an ugly note. Wrinkled, limp, dirty, and a stain that takes up 30% of the left face....and the reverse wasn't any better. Does "eye appeal" matter to ya'll as much as it does me, or does a really good deal seem to make an ugly note look better to you ? I've got myself on a budget, and would have passed on this purchase no matter how good of a deal it seemed. What are your opinions on "eye appeal" versus price ? BTW. My friend already has several versions of this note.
In my opinion eye appeal and over all condition are key, buying something that looks like The previous owner used it as a rats nest would turn me off!! even if i got it for a Super fantastic price!
For me it's a balance between the finances and the eye appeal... The price has to be within my range and has to look respectable in my collection. There's a few notes that I've wanted to add to my collection over the years that normally cost around $200 in an XF and higher, and I refused to pay $50, even $40 for the same note but one that is wrinkled, stained, worn out, fading, and torn, even though it was a "deal".
Eye appeal matters to me when its common or semi-rare notes. When it comes to really rare notes that are way out of my price range, and a ragged, ripped, discolored, barely identifyable one comes along, I will pick it up if its really cheap just to have a piece of history. But in the case of the Fr-239, I would rather spend a little more money and get a great condition 237 or 238.
I'm about eye appeal unless it's a note I truly want. I am then able to settle for a lesser quality note if the price is right (face value or $2 over). Other than that, I go for nicer notes.
Certainly eye appeal has much to do with my decision, yet there are some degraded and damaged notes (or coins for that matter) that are still 'interesting' in their less than pristine state that can garner my affections. It all depends on the character of the individual piece. Now if the note is otherwise unobtainable in finer condition I might be able to overlook many problems in order to fill a hole in my collection, but in general, this hasn't come into play for me much of the time. I try to find the best I can afford, not settle for the worst merely to fill that hole.
I'll quote Q.David Bowers from his Whitman Encyclopedia of U.S.Paper Money; " Even if the price of an offered note seems to be a super bargain, cast it aside if it not "pretty" or presents some doubt in your mind. A rule told to me by Tom Denly has guided me well, and will be of equal value to you; If you have to say but when describing the appearance of a note, then don't buy it. Even a note at a circulated level such as VF-20 should be attractive within it's grade. There are really beautiful Very Fine notes, I promise." I think about this often before buying a note. Thank you to everybody expressing an opinion.
