Well, just got back from the bank picking up some halves. This is the bank where I take all my mutilated $2 bills in even straps of $200 (so they aren't stuck with them sitting around). Well, while talking to the teller, one thing led to another, and next thing I know, she's letting me sort their her "mutilated" pile. There were so many beauties in there, I was practically walking on sunshine. I knew the head teller at this branch was a collector, so I had pretty much written this branch off as a source of any good notes. Since he had just moved on, I hoped there was now a possibility they would set some stuff aside for me. Well apparently my standards are much lower than his because I could not believe what I had just found. When all was said and done, I saved 12 notes from the Federal Shredder. I'll post the pics in the next few posts since there are so many pictures.
The $50's OK, Nothing too special about these $50's. The first is a 1963A and was torn in half at one point unfortunately. But, since I've never gotten a 1963A before, this will be a nice addition to my collection. The second is a 1981 $50. Again nothing special and probably not worth more than face, but it was in decent condition and I felt it deserved to be spared the fate of a shredder.
The $20's 1993 $20. Circulated condition. Not worth more than $20, but it only cost $20, so I grabbed it. 1977 $20. Same story as above. 1974 $20. Same story as above. 1950D $20. Might be worth a hair over face. It's in decent condition, a little dirty, no major creases, all four corners present (but not sharp), a little crinkled (but time in a holder will help smooth that out a little bit). Definitely has a place in my collection. 1950 B $20. Probably not worth more than face. Multiple pen marks, fairly soiled, zero crispness left in the paper, many creases (including a major one through the portrait), but the price was right. to be continued....
the $20's continued 1934 D $20. Heavily soiled with zero crispness left in the paper, several major creases (including two that pass through the portrait), might be worth a hair over face due to it's age, but still worth the price I paid. 1934A $20. Fairly soiled with very little crispness left in the paper. Numerous major creases affecting the portrait area. Green overprint shifted ever so slightly down so that lower left serials impede upon Julian's signature (but not enough to add a premium). same as the 34D as far as value goes. 1934A $20. fairly soiled (especially in the lower left area), tear in upper right corner with little chance of smoothing it out (too high a risk of completely tearing piece off if I tried to smooth it out), two major creases through portrait area. Same story as other two with respect to value, but again definitely worth the price I paid for it.
And lastly, the diamond in the rough 1950E $10 Star Note. This is probably the best find in the bunch. Paper is very crisp, but corners are rounded. A major crease through the center with two more minor creases (the note was folded in half twice at some point in time). There are no other problems with this note. I have no clue on value and I don't even know where to lookup the star note population numbers for this far back. Thanks for looking and I hope someone enjoyed the scans.
Gatzdon, I figured you would know the particulars on this note but here goes. Printing of the 1950E $10 G-* note is 4,320,000. Seems high doesn't it but that's a hell of a find. In CU it lists at $300 The 1950E series featured 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollar notes. Only three districts were represented New York, Chicago and San Francisco. I used to see my share of 1950 series notes (especially 20s) back in the day but VERY seldom a 1950E. Wife found a beat up 50E $5 G-* and grabbed it for me. I really hadn't looked at retail figures on these for quite a while till now and remembered them being "under rated". From what I'm seeing now people have caught on. Once again. Hell of a find!
Well, now that I'm home, I pulled out my trusty 18th edition Standard Catalog of US Paper Money and see that you are right, they only issued for three districts. I usually use the internet for modern since I really don't buy much and all my stuff comes from circulation. This catalog from 1999 lists the star note at $50 in CU, the least of the three districts. When you say $300 clembo, where is that coming from? This site, http://www.uspapermoney.info/survey/1950stars.txt, seems to indicate that the population may be less than 4.2 million. The number I have already matches a run that he already has identified, otherwise I would submit the number to him. For me, the fun is in finding the note, then it doubles in doing the research on it. Thanks for the tips clembo.
Gatzdon, Got the retail of $300 and printing figures from Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Peper Money 1928 to Date By John Schwartz and Scott Lindquist 7th edition but I guess number 8 is out now. Used to be by Dean Oakes and Schwartz but I believe Dean Oakes passed on. If you're pulling out of circulation it's a great book to have and VERY surprised that you don't honestly.
Wow, congrats man! Very nice finds, especially that star. Wow. NEat that most of them are "G's", but wait till Rickie sees that New York 50. Nice notes man! :thumb: Phoenix
To be honest, when I was younger, I lived up at the bank, but really couldn't afford much. That and given the fact that I was sincere was probably the reason many tellers even set anything aside for me. Then as I got to college and time just wasn't available anymore, I really had a falling out with the hobby. Then when I got married and sold a large part of my collection (probably >90%), I was really mad at myself for it, especially when I later realized I could have gotten by just fine without having sold it. Over the years, I still pulled interesting things out of circulation, but never made a serious effort. That all changed this past year when I found about 90 smooth edged washingtons. I proceeded to buy as many boxes as I could from that same bank and nearby banks. It was during the effort to sell those error coins (way too many to keep to myself) that I came back full circle to this hobby. Growing up, I had gone to very few coin shows and had never once gone to a coin club. That all changed this year. So, now that I have seen numerous endorsements for this book "Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Peper Money 1928 to Date", I will probably be picking up a current copy of it soon enough.
This thread contains a link to the criteria that the Feds (and banks that don't employ collectors) use to determine what gets shredded. http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=31135
