So I was at the Baltimore Whitman show on Friday. I love to take it all in, including the paper money. I don't follow the paper money prices at all and I walked past this table and saw this note that jumped out at me! I thought to myself, just treat yourself. You have a couple hundred on ya, just buy it! I went over to the lady and told her I liked the bill and how much was it. She told me that it was around $1500. WOW! lol. I do like the expensive things and much like coins, I guess paper money is no different! When I was leaving I heard there was a bill that went for a couple million dollars that was being auctioned off upstairs! Ohh well, some day when I get more involved and realize the prices I might own it! Little bit of sticker shock for me (and maybe not as funny for you but I thought I would share, none the less!)
The Indian Chief $5 is rare, but I think the price of $1500 is very inflated. However, these notes (even in the worst condition) never sell for less than $250. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Series-189...601678?hash=item3b2426ee8e:g:3PcAAOSwvENcBKYM The above ragged, torn example on eBay? $255 after a round of competitive bidding from 11 potential buyers.
For about half of that, you can get a decent one of these - 1901 $10 US Note without a presidential portrait, but a 'wooly bully' plus Lewis & Clark
Ah, President Bison. Those bison $10 notes are just as rare as the Indian Chief $5, but much more interesting.
It's very tempting to turn the wheel over to the paper money side however I don't think I could do it and not be looking back at the coins.......lol. Either way, I envision myself laying out a pretty penny for one of those bills shortly!
I also can not afford most of the "old style" notes. But I do marvel at the artwork, so I buy BEP souvinier cards. They are very inexpensive and are printed from the same plates as the original notes. I can get very close to them with my loop and admire the craftmanship of the engraved without having to worry about damaging an expensive note.
Both the Chief and Bison notes are iconic examples of the engraving trend at the end of the 19th Century. Many affordable notes can be found in midgrade and if you’re patient, you can still find examples with great eye appeal and original paper. My two notes.
For those whose eyes are bigger than their pocketbooks, you might enjoy scrolling through all the Bureau issued souvenir cards on the SCCS website. There's also a time-honored thread here devoted specifically to this topic.
My wife and I made a deal one Saturday that if I went shopping with her, that she would go to the National Paper Money Show with me. She has never gotten into collecting and we neither have much expendable cash, but I told her that if she found something that she liked, I would try and get it for her. She found a Chief and fell in love with it. Problem was that it was a very highly graded serial number 2. I was scared to even ask how much. Seems like it was in the 15 grand range.
Thanks for the advice! Ohh mannnn, I’ll enjoy checking all those posts out! I just looked at the first three posts. I’m sure I’ll be back!
Hi everyone, new to this so i need your help..I received these bills in change..should i keep, sell or use..how do you decide the value? Thanks for the help
There is no need to waste time making a thread to ask about those notes. They are all spenders. Now something like this, for example, is worth inquiring about:
Remember people its all about condition ! as a rule you can usually find Good deals on mid grades, me personally i don,t go any lower then A/U 50, you can still get a note with great eye appeal and sharp vivid Colors in this range, but some times you can go a little lower especially If its price prohibitive or its an extremely rare note, here,s on of my Examples, a very rare Series 591 $10 in 53EPQ, paid $725 for it But just a few points higher and your looking at $2,000 for what Ever reason this particular series and denomination did great super High with just a few 64,s in pop!