Why do you collect paper money?

Since I started the thread I may as well tell you my story.

I had absolutely NO interest or intentions of getting into paper money. It was all about making more money to buy more coins for me.

It goes back to working in a truck stop and seeing LOTS of cash. My coworkers knew I was into coins so when a bunch of 1950s series $20 notes rolled in one day they called me at home.
I figured I'd take a look - hey if nothing else I could spend them. I scraped together $220 and bought the best looking 11 of the lot.
Still clueless I headed to the shop (where I work now go figure) and bought a cheap Blackbook. Bought it for basic information and to get a clue on grading.
I graded the notes to the best of my ability and put them up on ebay with big pictures. Started them at like $23 each and plainly explained that I was getting them at work and if they sold I'd keep selling them. I was averaging $26-28 per note. More coin money in my mind.

I didn't even know what a star note was at this point but once I figured it out I started looking. I found tons of them. TOO many in fact so started selling them cheap to a guy in Utah.

Currency was pretty dead in these parts then but hot in other areas of the country. I needed to learn more so I bought better books. I'd go to local shops, buy what I could and put them on the bay. I was making a good profit and selling a lot of funnybacks.

Now I'm starting to like them and it's backfiring as it were. Doesn't help that I became real close with my friend in Utah and he asks if I'm seeing web notes or 295 errors. I had no clue what they were so he walked me through it.

So I start pulling web notes and 295s. I found A LOT of 295s and hate selling blind so I start researching and also publish all of my finds on the web site I used to have.
Get an email from a guy in New York about my lists and he asks if they can use my information as they are tabulating them. No problem by me and this eventually leads me to having the privilege to join the Currency Club of Long Island.

In the meantime I'm going to bigger shows in Chicago and find out that Robert Azpiazu of First City Currency in Florida is knowledgeable about them. By now I had around 1500 notes so I printed a copy and gave it to Robert at a show.
They are not a hot commodity now but this is the reason you will see me listed as a contributor on First City's site as well as in Robert's book on $1 FRNs.
I'd love to see the 295s gain steam as I have some very rare examples that I pulled from circulation. One combination has three known and I happen to own two of them.

So I still look but I collect more than sell these days. The buying a book to learn how to grade at the local shop has come full circle I guess.
I work there now and the boss consults ME when it comes to modern/small size notes.
I've been buying a few notes the past week. Picked up four more today and will start a thread on it later.

There is still so much to be found if you know what to look for.

What a long, strange trip it's been!

clembo

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I, like alot of others who posted here was only into coins when i started in the hobby. I dont know what the exact switch the flciked me onto currency, but i know i like the artwork on currency better then coins. I still like my coins, but i think currency has taken over as my prime choice.

 

Honestly if you're lucky IMHO it will go back and forth.

I was always "coin heavy" and then got into currency. I know people that totally abandonded coins for currency. I was pretty close at a point a few years ago.

Then the "coin itch" got back into me and I swung almost totally out of currency. My currency friends thought I dropped off the face of the earth basically but I was just going back to my roots.

Lately I've been on a real currency run as it were. Only because it has become available suddenly and the price is right. This happens on occasion and I feel compelled to take advantage. I see "rags" every day but when primo stuff happens in you have to take advantage.

I figure within a month I'll be back in coin mode actually. Nice to have a few things you love to choose from.

 

Wow I like it all. Maybe I should get more diverse in my Numismatic hobby. Thought the Lincoln Penny was great, I'm just an infant.

 

A diverse collection is a wonderful thing if it suits you. It's all a matter of one's tastes. Honestly I have only completed one coin set in my life (and some might say it's incomplete). I have also completed three "sets" of paper money in my life from circulation actually just to see if I could do it. Was a lot easier than coins but very satisfying.

I've been at this on and off (mainly on for the last 15 years or so) for about 40 years now in coins and about 10 in paper money. The challenge/hunt is great.

There's still a lot to be "discovered" out there.

 

I collect FRN, Silver Certificates, and Fractional Currency

 

I made the mistake of reading this section (paper money) of Cointalk.

Really though, The basic knowledge I have gained here and the fact that paper money interest my wife more than coins led me to collect a little bit. Most are circulation finds, but it is fun for me to look for stars and interesting serial numbered notes as well as older notes. I have bought a few notes at auctions that have went into the permanent collection.

 

Viper....

Post those notes and lets take a look! The banknotebank host site is an excellent one! BTW, I am happy that you read the PM Fourm...we like having you around!


RickieB

 

I agree with Viper. I made the mistake of reading this section of the forum.

I came here a few days ago looking for information on coins. Since then, 100% of my research has been on notes. Something about paper just seems so much more interesting to me. With the exception of a coin here and there, I believe my collection will be notes. The only thing that might hinder me is my budget, but even that can be worked around I'm told.

 

Welcome,glad the Paper disease has infected you as well.
Stick around, hope your collection grows quickly.....

RickieB

 

Thank you, RickieB! Your collection is a very large reason I was won over to the paper sickness.

 

Quick! Reel him in Rickie!

Seriously though ShaunIL you have a major show coming to your neck of the woods in early March. I haven't been to it in several years actually but it's big. Check out the link.


http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache...ncy+shows+in+chicago&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us

clembo

 

Why thank you, I appreciate that very much. You should see some of the other collections on here as well!! There is so much to learn and what a great place you have come to! Take advantage of the wonderful amount of knowledge from a broad range of collectors here!!

Regards,

RickieB

 

Clembo: WOW! Thank you so much for the heads up! I might have to drag the Wife out to the show under the pretense of a " (three months) early Birthday" trip for me. Thanks very much!

RickieB: My pleasure, I assure you. I've stumbled across a couple of other collections as well, and I'm just blown away by everything. While I will be starting small, I sincerely hope to move up the ladder over time. Whatever the case, everything seems so fun and amazing, I know I picked the right group to hang out with. Thanks again!

 

No problem. I GUARANTEE you will see some AWESOME stuff if you attend.

 

I believe it! I've been so shocked by just the images I've seen... I can't imagine seeing them in person! I'm hoping to talk the Wife into it, that's for sure.

 

I don't have the finances to purchase the beautiful large size notes that I see others post pictures of. But $1 and $2 bills? That I can handle. I'm currently trying for a 'type set' of $1 from 1928-present, and a district set of 1976 $2 stars, from circulation.

I think I was tempted first by the different colored seal of silver certificates, and the fact that they aren't prohibitively expensive. There's also a limited downside, in that they'll always be worth face value. I've also hunted through packs of bills for star notes, though I haven't bought any. It is a very simple and cheap start to my paper money collection. God only knows what it will lead to.

I've been tempted from the world of coin collecting as well. To me, it sometimes seems disturbing to have a stack of bills around as a collection, like it is less understandable or justifiable. In reality, the worth is no different than a stack of silver dimes or indian head cents, which I don't question.

wheatiefan

 

Just tell her it's a surprise trip and there will be alot of silver and gold there.:kewl:

 

Collect what you can at face value. That's half the fun!

When the "big head" notes first came out I was able to assemble the entire series of both $20 and $50 star notes at face value. My motivation? I just wanted to see if I could actually do it.
I still have them but if I needed to spend them most would be spent at face value. A few tougher ones I'd sell.

The thrill of the hunt comes into play!

 

If I can ever find 10 minutes at home when I am not runing to and fro I will post some pics. I acually have some interesting notes I got with my grandfathers collection.