Anybody own any of the BEP's proof reproductions? Apparently they were made on a limited basis by the same plates used to make the original notes, only these notes are (1) only single-sided and (2) do not have serial numbers. Some examples: $2.00 Series 1918 FRBN Reverse (the Battleship): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proof-Print...084?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33577d75f4 $10.00 Series 1901 U.S. Note Obverse (the Bison): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proof-Print...192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33718a4d08 Are they good quality? I'm thinking about picking up a few to frame for my office. Seems "safer" than dropping a load of money only to find the notes fade over time from the sun.
I have a bunch. They look very similar, perhaps even better than the real thing. The embossing is something new altogether. I know the 1923 $5 SC and 1905 $20 GC have seals, but the educationals do not. They are beautiful and a much less expensive option for the rarer notes. I currently have the following: 1907 $1000 GC front and back 1923 $5 SC 1905 $20 GC 1896 $1/$2/$5 obverse and reverse I bought them through Ken Barr. You should buy the large card stock. The links you provided are cut out, and there's more of a chance the edges or corners will be damaged. If anything, you can cut them out yourself from the larger cards. I think Ken Barr has absolutely every card that was released; some canceled, some mint. The ones I have are Mint. eBay is usually pricier for these cards. http://www.kenbarr.com/souvcd.html The other place I used is bidstart.com. The selection isn't as good though. I picked up the educational notes from there for $3 to $5 a piece. Can't beat that. http://coins.bidstart.com/US-B24-1973-ANA-BEP-Souvenir-Card-CV-8-50-/6587086/a.html http://coins.bidstart.com/US-B18-1972-ANA-BEP-Souvenir-Card-Fault-/6587075/a.html
UrbanL, these reproductions are actually trimmed down souvenir cards, as Funkee points out. They are beautiful notes and, yes, printed from the same plates as the originals. These are collectible in their own right -- you can learn a lot from this thread: http://www.cointalk.com/t94663/. The full-sized souvenir cards often include historical background on the notes, and I get a little tweaked when dealers trim and sell them without mentioning what they really are. But well worth collecting and very affordable.
