Someone at work found this in their register and set it aside for me. It's well worn but, hey, I can't lose money since I got it for face value. Apparently there was also a 1934 $5 bill that someone else "bought" before I could - I'm just glad someone got it out of circulation!
What you do with that note depends on your collecting interests and your personal finances. It is certain that note will be a real treasure to some collector. I started my paper money collection with the most soiled, worn out "star" silver certificate you can imagine. I have seen few in worse condition. I gave it away years ago to a boy scout working on his merit badge.
It's 66 years old, more or less so keep it. For face value, the condition is fine for the price. You didn't expect to get a bill that old and have it crisp did you?
I've spent some red seal $5 bills in similar condition. If you plan on flipping it or fast cash then look for in person sales. Ebay and PP will make it so you lose money on that note unless you get a bidiot war.
I couldn't bring myself to spend a red seal, no matter how bad it looked. Why not save them? They may not be worth much but taking them out of circulation would prevent them from becoming more worn.
It's likely that bill was printed much later than 1950, even though that's the date on it. They keep printing bills with the same year until there's a design change. The little letters under the 1950 change, when there is a change in Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the US. Elizabeth Smith was Treasurer of the US in 1961 and 1962, so this bill is 55 years old, not 65.
Think its a spender, nothing special here, condition is everything would say fine 20 with a net designation
I would keep the Five, yes its all that what cpm9ball said even the counterfeit dictating pen mark. Enjoy it.
But there's a risk that it will make its way to a bank, where it'll almost certainly be taken out of circulation and sent back to be destroyed.
Once it's in your collection, it sits in a binder on your shelf. Imagine the same thrill you had when you found a red seal note in circulation, multiplied again and again as potential new collectors find it in their change. Just an alternative perspective...
If you like it, and you can afford to keep it, then keep it. If that $5 is going to be an issue, then don't. Or, like the Veteran said, maybe put it back in circulation. Or, give it to someone who's just starting out. Personally, I'd keep it because those things are so darn hard to find!
