Should I take tape off or on?

Okay, so I'm sure we've all had our fair share of ripped notes found in circulation. But what about the ones that already come taped? I've always been told from day one of collecting "Don't EVER tape a torn note, slip it in a sleeve and leave as is or spend it". Well, I keep all stars and older notes no matter the condition, so what I want to know is; Should the tape be removed or left on? I'm afraid that if I take the tape off, it might remove some of the ntoes ink along with it. So should I leave the tape on or off??

Thanks all!

-tbud

 

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I would leave it on, some tape can be very hard to remove after so many years.

 

Leave it on, removing it will only serve to damage the note further.

 

I would leave the note as you found it. That's always been what has been recommended to me, anyway.

It's funny you should mention this, because I found a Series 1985 $1 the other day, that had been ripped in half, and taped back together. I found it while strap searching, the other day. I mention it in the strap stackers thread here:

http://www.cointalk.com/t66215-41/#post1341055

What I didn't mention there, was that it looks like the note had been freshly taped, as in, the tape looks pretty new.

I too set aside all stars, and older notes (older than series 1995) but not necessarily for my collection. If I already have something, than it goes into my "emergency money-sale/trade/-go towards another purchase", pile. I already have quite a few '85's, so this note went into that pile.

 

Okay. That all sounds about right. I'll just go ahead and leave the tape on.

Thanks all for the advice.

-tbud

 

I spend or somehow get rid of even redseals with tape on them. Tape is like certain social diseases, it just keeps being a problem.

 

if you plan on spending it. then there is no harm in trying to restore it first ?

 

Leave it or remove it, either way it's a damaged note and will always be damaged for it ever having been split/taped/circulated. It's better off spent on acquiring another note in your never ending circulation note hunting. Having just this extra money working for you could be all the difference for you eventually picking something of real value from circulation.

Now if there is something you haven't told us about this note, a special series or extra small printage, that might be a counter reason to hold onto the note, but for me, it would only serve as a placeholder until a finer, damage free note came around.

 

+1 to krispy's post. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I agree with krispy. What's special about the note that you want to keep it? Here's a tape job I got for very close to face value.