I've begun a collection of $1 Small-Sized US Currency. I've got two references: United States Small Size Paper Money, Hewitt-Donlon Catalog, 1977. Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money/1928 to Date, 8th Edition, 2007. But based on other information I'm seeing it looks like I don't have the definitive catalog. There's an Fr# for this material that appears to be the standard identification code. What is the source for these codes? Looking at one of my graded notes I find that there's a few of the decriptors that I can't find a reference/explanation about. Here's what I'm seeing: PMG/Paper Money Guaranty - (No problem here; it's one of the TPG's) $1 - (No problem; face value) 1935A - (No problem; series) Experimental (S) - (No problem; paper test) Silver Certificate - (No problem; type of note) Fr#1610 - (PROBLEM; don't know the source for this code) (SC Block) - (No problem; series block; letters in the serial number) Julian | Morganthau - (No problem; Treasurer of the US | Sec of Treasury) S/N S74965334C - (No problem; serial number of note) pp B - (PROBLEM; no idea what it is but the B appears in the upper left and lower right of the front) 58/Choice About Unc - (No problem; PMG grade assigned to note) E/P/Q - (PROBLEM; no idea what it is but appears to have something to do with the grade) I need advice/information/source about my problem areas. I also have an ungraded note with a couple dealer(?) notations associated with it. Do the following mean anything to you: DSSSS UP26877 I know, buy the book first. But it seems I don't even know what the book is.
Fr refers to the number assigned to this note in Paper Money of the United States by Arthur and Ira Friedberg. It is a comprehensive catalog of US paper money but does not contain all the varieties for some notes that you find listed in the more specialized Small Size book. pp B refers to Plate Position B. This type of silver certificate was printed in sheets of twelve (two columns of six notes). The plate positions refer to the position of the note on the sheet. They ran down the left column A-F and then G-L on the left column. This note was the second note from the top on the left side of the sheeet. EPQ is Exceptional Paper Quality. This is a term proprietary to this TPG. (PCGS uses PPQ for Premium Paper Quality). It refers to the fact that the condition of the paper is original and has not been doctored by cleaning, pressing, or otherwise damaged. One piece of advice. Get a Friedberg Catalog, a Krause-Lemke Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money , or a Hessler-Chambliss Comprehensive Catalog of United States Paper Money instead of the antiquated Hewitt-Donlon you have. The dealer notations are probably a code for the dealer's purchase price and perhaps an inventory number.
The Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money/1928 to Date, 8th Edition, 2007 is outdated. There has been a 9th edition available for about a year, and a 10th edition due out before Christmas. For the newer $1 small size U.S. currency I would also recommend the Collectors Guide to Modern Federal Reserve Notes, Series 1963-2009 by Robert Azpiazu. For on line research you can use http://www.uspapermoney.info/ for print run & serial number information.
Also, if small-size notes are what you plan to collect, then don't worry too much about Friedberg numbers (or any other catalog numbers). They exist, but they aren't essential. Catalog numbers are much more significant when it comes to large-size notes, where a single series (say, the 1880 $20 USN) can exist with over a dozen different signature combinations, several different seal colors and sizes, several different paper types.... In these cases, you really need some sort of cataloguing system to keep everything straight, and the Friedberg one is the recognized standard. Small-size notes have far less complexity in these aspects. Each series has one signature combination, and most series have no color/paper/printing varieties at all. And those varieties that *do* exist are often not incorporated into Friedberg's numbering anyway; for example, it's only recently that the light vs. dark seals on the early FRNs have been listed, and they still use the same number with just "lgs" or "dgs" added. For small-size, you'll do fine to just list the series/denom/type, plus a variety in the few cases where it's needed (experimentals, etc.) This is why books like Hessler-Chambliss don't even bother giving catalog numbers to small-size notes.
I've been delayed getting back to this thread. Between my parents (96 and 94) going into the hospital for a couple short stays, and now moving them into Assisted Living, Sept was a busy month. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. Now I'll start procuring the suggested references.
