I'm looking for good resources to help increase my knowledge of US currency collecting. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about this hobby and I feel that there isn't quite the same amount of resources out there as there is for coins. I currently have two books and I feel both are pretty basic: Standard Guide to Small Sized Paper Money, 8th ed (Schwartz, Lundquist) Whitman's Guidebook of US Currency, 3rd ed I am currently trying to track down a copy of Don Kelley's national book. Just waiting for the right used copy to come along and Collecting Confederate Paper Money (Fricke) was also suggested to me. Any other suggestions? I'm trying to learn a little about everything in an attempt to hone in on what I want to collect.
Hessler and Chambliss "Comprehensive Catalog of US Paper Money" Chambliss "US Paper Money and Guidebook" The guidebook does not have catalog listings but has excellent background text on all types of US paper money and collecting paper money in general. The Catalog is just that but contains significantly more background on the various types of US paper money than you will find in any other catalog. If you are looking for learn about US paper money itself and collecting it, these are the best books to read. There may be better catalogs and more specialized catalogs but these books cannot be beat for their overall coverage.
For something a little more basic that what MEC2 suggested, try Friedberg's "A Guide Book of United States Paper Money," which is published by the same folks that make the Redbook and Bluebook. It has currency listed by Friedberg number and some basic info but does not have many of the rarer types and non-federal types (i.e. starts with the demand notes in the 1860s). I found it to be very manageable and reasonably priced. Off-topic note: I apparently used to cut Don Kelly's grass in Oxford, Ohio back when I went to college there. I had NO CLUE who he was then. Weird.
If you are interested also in obsoletes and early paper money I suggest: Obsolete Paper Money: Issued by Banks in the United States 1782-1866 by Q. David Bowers The Early Paper Money of America by Eric P. Newman and, only for your pleasure 100 Greatest American Currency Notes: The Stories Behind The Most Colonial, Confederate, Federal, Obsolete, and Private American Notes and Private American Notes by David M. Sundman, Q. David Bowers All available at amazon.com petronius :smile
One book you need is "United States Paper Money Grading Standard" by Herbert J. Kwart. This small book will give you all details and pictures to grade any type of currency. The others books are all good. The last thing for current wholesale prices, the green sheet is good, but not for any small note stars references (Bank Note Reporter is best for retail prices on stars.). They do have a part on MPC replacement notes. I hope this will help you in your quest. Also get/read on the printing process so you will/see the way the notes are to look like and feel. Take note and place it up to a light source, so to see imperfections, and holes, water marks, and security treads. Some of these, will be wrong and not as they should be. Some printings will be missing, off ( out of register) location, indirect print transfer, or direct transfer, and others to look for.
