Why is Centering so Important?

Why is centering so important for paper notes? Is it because it's rarer to see a paper note that has perfect centering, since the notes are created in sheets and cut after the design is added? (Whereas with coins, the designs are imparted after the planchets are already individualized, so off-center strikes would be a much rarer occurence). That's what I'm thinking logically. But, what's the actual reason?

And, are there any picture guides of various centering grades (e.g. above average, average, below average, etc.)? I know that the top TPGs look for and require perfect or near perfect centering for notes to even get in the 65+ range, let alone an EPQ/PPQ designation. But, if I ever come across, say, a note that is so off-center that part of the design is missing altogether (cut-off), then isn't that technically off-centered and even more desirable than a perfectly centered note of the same type and grade? Unless, of course, such cut-off designs would designate that note as an error on top of it being a well below off-centered note.

Thanks in advance!

 

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I think you like to ask questions that you already know the answer to

Perfection?

Yes, there are guides. PSE publishes one for stamps. Let's see if you can go on the Internet and post all the links you find that answer your question.

 

I have questions that I have answers to from my own logical imagination.

Often times, however, I find that it's wrong, sometimes in a very counter-intuitive way.

In this example, it's even more perplexing that centering is so important, since machines are used to accurately cut the sheets, so I'd think that centering would be even more common than uncommon. So, I don't get why perfect centering on paper notes is so important.

 

OK, I can't wait for you to post the links to your thought provoking question.

 

I find that the internet in general is a great source of information.
I Google all the time.

However, IME at least, forums are the place to go to get more accurate information, often by experts. CT is usually my primary source for verifying numismatic-related info.

Anyway, I couldn't find much on why centering is important via Google. I usually skim through the first page or two of results and their description, but the relevant links appear to discuss centering with respect to grading more than the why. Maybe my search terms are off.

 

Well, after a quick look myself, I could not find ANY photo standard showing the centering of paper money. IMO, THAT's CRAZY and one of those grading companies needs to rectify this SOON! I guess centering is one of those things that "you know when you see it."

For now, get some guidelines from the stamp people.

 

In my short period on CT, I don't agree completely. However, there are very many informed numismatists here - thank goodness!

 

True, but good thing it's a forum - we can debate to find the truth.

 

Unfortunately, IME "truth" here is mostly opinions; not backed up with verifiable proof/evidence.* Often just a great deal of . That's really too bad because a beginner cannot tell "fact" from "fiction."

* I've been waiting for weeks for a few posters to provide evidence for their comments ZZZZzzzz.

 

Now back to regular programming . . .

Centering is important in paper money mostly for aesthetic reasons. A perfectly centered note is more appealing to the eye than one that has broad margins on one side and narrow on the other. More appealing = more money.

In the TPG world of paper money, centering is the difference between the grades 66 and above.

How the TPGs differentiate 66-70 on non-US notes that do not have framing and the design runs all the way to the edge of the note remains a mystery.

 

I can't even begin to answer this one.

 

@lettow nailed it. Better centered notes have better eye appeal.

 

Do you know any links or books with pictures of centering "standards?"

 

Is that the same as "perfection?"

 

For my other question, is this considered average or below average centering?

I can obviously see with the naked eye that it's off center. But I don't know what the average note's centering looks like in technical speak. Though I take it that "average" is being used more loosely as a label designation.

But isn't eye appeal subjective? I get that centering is nice, but that's nice to me. Unless it's sort of like selling homes with neutral paint colors - it sells more easily and maybe even for more money if the walls are painted in neutral colors instead of more eccentric colors that were customized to the previous homeowner's tastes.

At the same time, I can also see that a note may be preferred if the design is, say, all the way on one corner with a huge border on two sides, or has a large part of the design cut-off (or is that designated as an error for paper money?). If the design is cut-off (for discussion's sake, let's say that it's cut in half with a huge border on one side), wouldn't that make it rare and thus more valuable and sought after, leaps and bounds above one that is centered perfectly? If that's considered an error/exception, then that would make more sense.

 

Eye appeal is very subjective. Centering is NOT. It can be measured down to mm.

 

Possibly more rare but v. low eye appeal and NOT sought after (unless rare note to begin with or it is a major error during the "machine age.") Early notes were cut by hand from sheets so fewer are perfectly centered.

 

Yes, centering itself is not subjective; but the idea that perfect or more accurate centering is more appealing, is subjective. That's what I was getting at there.

 

Yes. There is no right or wrong here. Uninformed collectors of ANYTHING and those with no perception of quality, good taste or artistic merit will settle for any condition. So what's your point? Don't you care or have an opinion or do you just like to talk/type questions in philosophical terms. If this is the case, you are way smarter than me. I don't ask these questions of myself. I know what I like and what most "serious" collectors of many different things like. Someone said something like "I have very simple tastes - I only want the best." A CT member will know the actual quote and who said it.

Anyway, (IF YOU CAN HELP IT/AFFORD IT) don't buy stamps w/missing perfs; don't buy gems with inclusions; don't buy shells w/missing spines; don't buy arrowheads w/ broken points; don't buy cars with un-matched serial #....