I find error notes more interesting to collect than the correctly minted notes. But the investment into these error notes, will they retain their value like some of the rarer notes most collectors prefer.
It's hard to say what your investment will do as far as change in value is concerned. I suggest collecting what you like that fits into your budget, and you have interests in. Common errors will probably not rise in value as much and/or as fast as rare (double denomination) errors will, and once again, condition is a factor. Read and educate yourself before buying, and ask questions when in doubt. Good luck. This is my favorite error note in my collection;
I have to agree with Steve and USS656. Collect what you like and can afford with errors. The great thing about them is that even if they don't increase in price compared to large-size notes (depending on your error note), they are GREAT conversation pieces. One word of caution though, make sure that you get the note graded if found in circulation, or buy graded/authenticated notes. There are some people out there that are unscrupulous. USS- great insufficient ink error! I'm trying to get one of those now, but they keep getting out of my price range for graded examples. Steve, the same with your blank back $1. I can't touch those either...
I like all kinds of errors on banknotes and have a variety in my collection. But, I like serial number errors.... slipped digit, missing digit, mismatched serial numbers etc.. Collect what you like and what you can afford. As for error notes holding value over the long term..... well, that's difficult to say. I pay what I'm comfortable spending for an error note and I'm confident that what I pay is what I could receive when I go to sell it.
In the 1990's I bought a Civil War, North Carolina 1861 $1 and after I purchased it I realized that it had an error on the reverse. The "One Dollar" is supposed to be in the center on the reverse but it is way off that the one from the note below it on the sheet is seen. These notes were printed on sheets of 12. Could this have been the only survivor from the sheet?
Finally got my first graded error note. Even though I posted on another thread, I thought I'd share here as well. A complete offset in EPQ 45.