So, I have been trying to begin organizing my thoughts (and collection) and lay out a plan how I want to collect currency. Several years ago, I became interested in paper money (Thanks to RickieB) and at the time I happened to be working at a bank. So, I was able to find and purchase tons of $1 star notes for face which I still have. I am in the process of going through these notes and deciding what I want to keep and what I want to get rid of. I find myself currently in a similar position that I was when I first began collecting coins. I wanted to collect everything and anything and I failed to set goals. So, I'm trying to set goals. Here is what I have been thinking...please let me know what you think (also, I have no time table on this...just something to work on as I go). Firstly, I have fallen in love with Nationals...especially nationals from my home state of Oregon (and double especially with notes from my hometown Eugene). I am keeping an eye out for Eugene notes I can afford (I have one already) but they are hard to come by. I will pick up Oregon notes here and there to begin building a collection with Eugene being the focus. This is a long term collecting project which I plan on very slowly making progress. I think my primary collecting project in the shorter term will be a "small sized psuedo-type set." Rather than collect by series or FRB for now I think it would be a fun project to have a type set. Something I can put in an album and flip through and see the history of US paper currency from 1928 until today (organized by denomination...probably up to $20). Here is a basic framework of what I am thinking: $1 Notes 1928 (any 1928 series) $1 SC 1934 $1 SC 1935-1957 (any note from this range) $1 SC $1 FRN Barr note $1 FRN Star (probably series 1985 - my birth year) $1 FRN Low Serial Note (minimum 5 leading zeroes) I would do something similar for $2, $5, $10, and $20. I probably wouldn't focus on anything bigger for now simply because of the investment into face value. One exception to that would be if I could track down a $100 USN for a reasonable price. I have always wanted one of those. Finally, I am also interested to a certain degree with foreign notes and MPC. I would like to put together a MPC 681 set at some point and perhaps acquire some WWII era German notes. I know there is a lot here. But, I feel like these are all manageable goals that down the road have room to grow. What do you think?
This is taking me back. I too remembered when I thought I'd make a plan with goals in my currency collecting. It doesn't work, at least for me. And, like you, I have RickiB to blame for it all. But, I think I like my eclectic mix of US notes far more than I would an organized, regimented theme. It adds character. Plus, the excitement over new and unexpected finds is what makes it fun for me. But, if you find a way to make it work for you, by all means, go for it. Guy
Well, I'm currency determining what a small sized $1-$20 type set would include to me...and it's quite large (I'm through $10 now). I think this will be a good starter project that will probably keep me busy for some time and help me narrow my interests.
Here is what I have put together for a small sized type set up to $20. What do you think? I think it will be a big project. Eventually...once this is completed maybe I'll expand to include $50 and $100 notes but that is too much for now. I think this set would do a nice job putting together the "big picture" of US small sized currency. $1 Notes 1928 US Note 1928 Silver Certificate 1934 Silver Certificate 1935-1935G Silver Certificate (No Motto) 1935G-1957B Silver Certificate (Motto) 1963-Date FRN $2 Notes 1928-1928G US Note 1953-1953C US Note (No Motto) 1963-1963A US Note (Motto) 1976-Date FRN $5 Notes 1928-1928A FRN (Numeral) 1928-1928F US Note 1928B-1934D FRN 1929 Federal Reserve Bank Note 1929 National Bank Note (Oregon) 1934-1934D Silver Certificate 1950-1950E FRN (No Motto) 1953-1953C US Note (No Motto) 1953-1953C Silver Certificate 1963 US Note (Motto) 1963-1995 FRN (Motto) 1999-2006 FRN 2006-Date FRN (Colorized) $10 Notes 1928-1928A FRN (Numeral) 1928 Gold Certificate 1928B-1934D FRN 1929 Federal Reserve Bank Note 1929 National Bank Note (Oregon) 1934-1934D Silver Certificate 1950-1950E FRN (No Motto) 1953-1953C Silver Certificate 1963-1995 FRN (Motto) 1999-2003 FRN 2004A-Date FRN (Colorized) $20 Notes 1928-1928A FRN (Numeral) 1928 Gold Certificate 1928B-1934C FRN (First Back) 1929 Federal Reserve Bank Note 1929 National Bank Note (Oregon) 1934C-1950E FRN (Second Back, No Motto) 1963-1995 FRN (Motto) 1996-2001 FRN 2004-Date FRN (Colorized)
Are you collecting one of the FR notes from all of the districts, or just have one as an example? I've seen some, especially the stars, go for a lot of money!
I have read that the 7070 type set holds 76 coins, if that is the case then the 43 bills you have listed don't seem that bad. This is assuming you stick with one from each group and not one of each possible printing.
My intention was one example of each note...not an example from each district and for this type set probably no star notes. The idea being...create an album that shows an example of each major change for circulating notes since the creation of the small sized note. Again, $50 and $100 notes may be added someday...but not yet. Also, do you guys see anything that I missed or in your opinion should be added to make this list more complete?
I was just about to say the same thing. The Hawaii and No. Africa would definitely add some visual interest.
I don't collect all of those areas of bills but I have to think that it would be a pretty reasonable amount of money to put together that group. I don't see any one bill that is going to cost a ton if you are willing to avoid high grade MS bills. However expanding back even a few years would make the total cost multiply quickly, the 1923 $5 silver is a bill I have always wanted but just couldn't pay for.
As coleguy mentioned, having a game plan, and sticking to the game plan are two different things. I also started collecting with a certain goal or plan, and eventually fulfilled my set........but along the way I got sidetracked more than a blind dog in a meat packing plant. I don't regret what I ended up with, and every time I saw something different then what was on my plan, it gave me the opportunity to learn about a different area of paper money. This hobby is very addicting Richie......beware my friend.
Here is a scan of the experimental Red R & S notes for those that have never seen them. Bill Collector
