Had someone ask me if I am interested in a 1922 $20 gold cert, large size bill. The note has folds, pieces missing, discoloration...probably good or less than good condition...what should I offer (roundabouts)? Thanks!
We can't tell you anything about value without seeing the note in question, but given all of the problems you've cited, especially with "pieces missing" being the biggest detractor, I'd save my money and buy something better when the opportunity came along.
I appreciate it - and I'm working on getting photos. I know...it's the first thing you do when you ask a question like this lol...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saintlouisdanceartist/7034176001/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/saintlouisdanceartist/6888080662/ Some awful photos...but it's all I have!
I will repeat my advice, I'd save my money and buy something better when the opportunity came along.
Everyone has different budgets. Perhaps this is the best that the OP can afford to buy. I've seen far worse condition notes for sale than this one and I feel the one posted in this thread would make a decent enough filler. Infact, here's a $20 1922 Gold Certificate in far poorer condition: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LARGE-SERIES-1922-20-TWENTY-DOLLARS-GOLD-CERTIFICATE-NOTE-BILL-/180851963691 Click on the fourth picture, lol. Anyways, based on the pics I would be inclined to offer from about $60 but not more than $75. I am basing this price range off of the completed auction listings on ebay for the lower-end notes of this type of series and denomination.
There's nothing like stating the obvious NOS... Of course everyone has different budgets. Everyone also has different ideas about the value of a given thing. Everyone has different levels of knowledge about a given series, as well as differing degrees of knowledge over the factors impacting value. Everyone has different tolerances over the grades and quality of notes they seek for their collections as well. Advice on knowing the seller or selling venue too may be important... is there a reason this note isn't in a dealer or collectors hands but instead lingers in a antique mall or shop... There are many things more than poor images we must consider to arrive at a value recommendation... But to inform someone who may be collecting on a budget to spend any amount based on your observation of these extremely poor images only serves to mislead and misinform someone seeking advice. You are no more capable of seeing the note to do this than is any other person offering advice about what to offer for it. However, offering caution to avoid such a problematic note protects one's limited budget that you suggest may be at play. Saving money for a note in better condition will improve ones chances of learning about the Series more before making a purchase. Caution allows for time to see more options available and to consider why and what you are intending to buy said item for. Caution allows for making a more informed decision over the quality of the note one considers to accept into their condition. Even a limited budget can be saved for the goal of affording a better quality example and avoiding mistakes by merely getting a very poor quality example on an impulse for a perceived low price to match a limited budget of cash in hand. Reserve from buying low grade items can improve the quality of ones collection. Investing a limited budget should be done wisely not sporadically because you feel poor quality should match poorer budgets. Reserve from buying such problematic examples helps remove the chance of allowing problem notes into ones collection and learning later how difficult they are to resell, recoup the value put into them and to perhaps learn how expensive it is to replace the low quality note at a later date for a higher value and higher quality note that may be more satisfactory to ones personal eye appeal. Until there are better images of the note to go by, no one can offer a sound value on the note and to spend the amount of money suggested would be a waste, particularly if it's a limited budget we are talking about. Bargain pricing does not necessarily provide you with a thing of equal value, as I mentioned, the value of such a low grade note will always be questioned and vary in opinion between individuals with different budgets. As has been shown, there are other venues where one might compare quality (grades) and values, such as eBay listings, to get a more sound idea of where the note in question may be based. Without better images, only the OP can make this call. Furthermore, the quantity of poor quality notes tends to be higher and more readily available than higher grade examples, such that passing on one isn't a missed opportunity with many more poor examples to return to later if the one in questions is passed on now.
To both of you, I just want to say a quick thank you. I realize that my not having excellent photos (relying on the seller to provide...) and not having a vast knowledge base in regards to paper money, I am putting you in a difficult position of trying to provide advice without full information. I realize this, and as such I am happy with more generalized information at this point. I'd say I have a fair grasp of situations like these when it comes to coins. Paper, however...I just haven't really been that into it until recently. I've got a couple pretty beautiful notes - but nothing special. I save stars, and any cool serials. That's about it... I have an opportunity to buy this note as well as 3 others. These three other notes would be ones I want to keep...a 1928 and 1928A blue seal silver cert $1 in decent shape (by this I mean well circulated, but no tears or discolorations...) and a $10 1934 A gold seal North Africa note. The seller has quoted a price of $150 for all four notes - now, I can look up prices in my paper money books with the best of them...but I'd be realistic and say that my paper grading skills are rudimentary at best. It will be one of the first things I do this summer, collecting-wise...but until then...I need to ask friends. I'm interested...but I don't want to lose my shirt. At present, I'm leaning far in the direction of "don't buy" unless told otherwise. From what it sounds like here, I was right that the seller has overvalued their $20 gold cert (thinks it's worth $150, selling for $100.) I don't want to take the guy to the cleaners, nor do I want to lose a lot of money on the deal. I'd prefer a happy medium where we both get treated fairly. However, if he's got a false opinion of what his stuff is worth...then it's time to move on. Again, thank you all for your comments - and feel free to add any (if needed) because I'm here to learn, enjoy, and converse.
You have the right attitude and approach to learn first and buy when you are the better informed party in the transaction. I would just adjust the comment you made, "At present, I'm leaning far in the direction of "don't buy" unless told otherwise." to something like, 'At present, I'm leaning far in the direction of "don't buy" until I know what I am paying for.' The reason I say this is that you must trust your own knowledge and be careful to take just the advice of passing strangers on online forums. To take advice from others you don't know about such a purchase is as careless as following the advice of any taken from a random stranger you stopped walking down the street and asked the same questions. You will also be more happy with any purchases once you have the knowledge that gives you the confidence to know when and what to purchase, which offers are sound and make sense for your personal budget. Good luck out there and if/when you add some paper money to your growing collection, feel free to post scans of the notes to share with us. Regards!
To be honest tell them you'll offer $30 because its damaged and beat to **** and that it really isnt a rare series to start out with. Don't start with $60 even if your willing to pay that. Start at 30 and if need be, let the negotiation take its way only to a number high enough where you feel comfotable but if you lucky, you'll say $30 and they will just say ok. Hope this helps and good luck on your offer expedition!
i would honestly just save up some money to buy a better example of that note(if thats the note you truly want). that thing is pretty ratty. i agree with vdb $30 is all i would offer for that note. too many problems with it. it just looks like its falling apart
I tend to agree with the posters suggesting patience. Krispy summed it up nice in this sentence; "Even a limited budget can be saved for the goal of affording a better quality example and avoiding mistakes by merely getting a very poor quality example on an impulse for a perceived low price to match a limited budget of cash in hand."
I'm going with majority here and saying based upon the pics of the note, you should either save up for a better example, or low-ball him with your offer. It is a great series to have an example of, but in its current condition, having an example should not force you to spend anything over minimal. Of course, it's up to you to make the final decision, but know that if you purchase said note, you will have difficulty reselling it if you plan to do so.
