The year of 2006 was a turning point for me as a collector of American Coinage and Paper Money. That year in March during the annual Boston Show I bought my first piece of Paper Money. A Series 1914 Blue Seal $20. The Reverse of this note features the "Transportation Theme" and features several vignetts of transpotation modes. The Train on the notes reverse is what really attracted me, since my young son just adored trains at the time. http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/20-1.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/20b-1.jpg The artistry and engraving talents that I just discovered was about to lead me on a journey into American History, currency of the Civil War Era and modern Notes as they morphed from the Small size Legal Tenders, Silver Certificates and Fed Reserve Notes as well as Fed Reserve Bank Notes. http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/913103A.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/913103B.jpg My new discovery gave me an instant new goal! To collect the Small Size Federal Reserve Bank of New York denominations from $1 thru $100 in nothing less than AU to Gem including all Star Notes as well. The hunt began, and the reading and searching escalated into an everyday search, learning about the Auction Sites and some of the most well know dealers of quality notes! About 1 year into the collection I was overwhelmed, information overload was beginning to show it's many faces! I was studying fractionals, obsoletes, Large Size, Small Size, Gold Notes, High Denom notes and you name it anything that was produced by this Country I was trying to read about it! My collection went off track and I began the accumlation of the 4th and 5th Issues of the fractionals, I even picked up what I thought was interesting Obsoletes, all the while adding to the GIANT small size goal! http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/stanton.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/stantonb.jpg Then came a point when I was lured away by National Bank Notes and Large Size notes in General....a new fever burned in my soul, and the intensity of it soon turned into a haunting passion. I can say with all honesty that not 1 day goes by without me searching my normal hunts and selecting "targets to accquire". http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/20.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/20b.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/10.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/10b.jpg http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/20bro.jpg To this day in 2009 I am still working on the Small Size NewYork Goal as well as the Large Size Notes that I have set my target sights on...it is more of a fever today than it was that first day in 2006 when I held the $20 Note that started it all. http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm184/rickieb1955/19282020.jpg What I can say to you all who share this passion is never stop the process of obtaining your goals of Paper Money Collecting. The rewards of friendship, information sharing, searching, reading and talking to others in this great passion has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever attempted. There are many of you here that I see this in and I just wanted you all to know that I have a great amount of regard for you all and I hope to watch your collections grow just as I have watched mine. Keep the faith, that tough to find note is just around the corner and what it cost today will be nothing to what it will cost years from now. The reason I am writting all this is because as of this Sunday, I will sell every coin that I still have in my collection with the exception of the 2006 3 piece AGE Anniversary Set I put back for my son... I never thought this would happen in my life as a coin collector....but now, today, I can say that I am no longer a coin colletor but an avid US Paper Money Collector with Goals as large as they come. I hope to share with you all some really unique notes of this Country that are rare and will one day be noted as the RickieB Collection. Thank you friends for all your past support and may you all seek and find the path to your success as well. With kind regards, RickieB
Its been quite the trip from the days you joined this forum talking about your platinum coins and other bullion. The journey you started since picking that first train off the dealers table, has kept us all enthralled as to what masterpiece you might display next. Few of us can ever quess, unless you email me before hand lol but each and every note you post is amazing for its artistry, its near perferction, and the amounts of drool collecting on desks of everyone who views them You coin collection is impressive in its own right, but it certainly has been overshadowed by our mass-sickness. In some cases, when collectiosn are sold, it is because of a sad need. It is very good to know this sale is not for that reason, and it is with anticipation we all wait to see just what might cross in front of your eyes next. True, i already have an idea... But still... its quite different once you sign on the dotted line so to speak Your journey has been filled with soem wonderous notes.. and while you have quite the journey left before you hope to finish, the wonders have yet to cease, and will continue until you, not the notes, call it time to stop I do hope you enjoy the trip you are one, as we all join with you - and we are having fun
So, it all started with the 1 note, wow. Your collection is impressive and I look up to you. I am glad to have you on CT. Not only for the friendship and information, but for displaying your notes to drive the PaperMoney passion in myself and others. Once this thread gets slower, I plan to print it out and put it with the beginings of the collection from your contest. Thank you.
It is interesting how you write that your collection evolved. My story is somewhat similar also. Curiously I started with colonial era notes when I was a kid. Actually for a kid I managed to be picky and buy better stuff, like uncirculated New York Water Works notes from 1776 etc. Then I somewhat lost interest in that colonial stuff, but of course, me being me, I never got rid of them. I just stuffed them in a safe deposit box and more or less out of site, out of mind. Then I moved onto Scottish banknotes, along with coins. The coins are a slow process because they are so much rarer, so I have continuously collected them for a long time. I collected the banknotes avidly for about 5 years, managed to accumulate some 400+ notes from 1808-2002, in all denominations, 12 different banks etc. Then I lost interest in that and sold about half the collection, but kept the very rare stuff and early stuff, and stuffed them into another safe deposit box, and more or less forgot about them. Now in the past couple of years it has been attractive females on banknotes from all over the world. I stopped accumulating stuff and will probably sell that collection to finance my new venture outside of numismatics and a lot more philanthropic. Other stuff, like large denominations have already started to be let. When all goes eventually, probably only my Scottish coins will remain, just too many near unique items to part with - I have a feeling I would regret letting that go.
God Damn Rickie. You are such a huge encouragement. I frequently look at your collection, and actually have it bookmarked... On two computers. You mentioned one day your collection will be known as the "Rickie B" Collection.... Bud, it already is. Your notes continue to leave me in awe and I hope there are many more to come. Thank you for taking time to share your collection and collecting past with us, I'm sure everyone appreciates it as much as I do. And I've said it once, and I'll say it again. You have one lucky son. -Shawn I'm ready Rickie, Bring on the next one. :kewl:
Rickie you have a amazing collection and every now and again you realy drop something rather lovely on us, that is a total departure from what you usualy show LOL Keep them rolling mate
Great post Rickie! I wish I could buy suck amazing pieces, but until then I will simply bookmark your collection
I am truly humbled by your kind remarks...in my mind, the collection is just getting started. It is my goal to try to move to the next level in the collection process by incorporating more knowledge and not looking solely at New York notes only! While I plan to finish what I started, there are many notes out there from all Fed Reserve Branches that are indeed becoming harder to find in nice grades! While my current focus is on Large Size Issues, I will continue to add NY notes and other select notes in the future. My studies of other collections has led me to yet another page, in why I am doing what I think I am ...boy, thats confusing huh? Thank you again.... With kind regards, RickieB
PD13......Thank you for taking a look! Yes indeed it is real.....it is a Fr#1376 4th Issue 50 cent note. The Person on the note is Edwin Stanton, he was President Lincoln's Sec of War. There is some interesting history between the 2 men.....you can read about it in a Book Titled: Team of Rivals and Manhunt! Regards, RickieB
Team of Rivals has the distinction of becoming a dinner table book for me. Only a few books get such an honour. I would suggest reading it for an understanding of how Lincoln cleverly put his cabinet together with several people that frankly despised him, especially at first.
Great post RickieB, I can also say that you got me into paper money and I have started to amass a growing collection myself! I always read your posts and keep waiting for new ones. Your collection constantly amazes me and I could only imagine what it must be like to have a collection like yours! Keep the notes coming and good luck with it all!
It's Awesome to know how you started, RickieB, and found your true passion in paper money. Great Notes! The Fractional looks great! Greg
What a great post. I am on this site everyday, mostly reading(I type about three words a minute.) Whenever I am on, I always look to see if you have posted anything. While yuo don't know me, I feel like I know you. And I felt obligated to take an hour (lol) to say thanks. You are a real inspiration to any collector, and the way in which you share your notes with us, never comes off as though you are showing off or gloating. I have witnessed the help and support you give to others, so thank you. And congratulations on a supreme set. John Reilly
John... Why thank you, I am not sure what else to say? I appreciate your kindness and I am humbled by it. There are so many Great people on this site and in the Paper Money Fourm that we all share. These people are fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and just overflowing with generosity and support for all members that vist us here. These people are regulars and know who they are...I feel fortunate that I call most of them friends! Thank you again and please feel welcomed into the PaperMoney Group, we would love to have you here! With kind regards, RickieB
