Hi, I collect Macau paper money. I recently bought this Macau 50 specimen paper money because it is rare. I also got it at a reasonable price. I see that this note has great embossing and does not have any fold inside the design. The paper is very crisp. However, when I use a 800 lumens flashlight shining this paper money on the side, I see a small bend/fold on the right side of the front. I also see minor bend on the top left of this note. These are not very visible under normal room lighting. Is this still consider uncirculated? I really like this series and I'm thinking to send this to PMG for grading. Based on the photo, will this note get at least a 60? Also, I have another of this same banknote that is basically flawless when comparing to the one I mentioned. Any issue if I send both of the same note to PMG at the same time? Will it further hurt the grade for this note? Thank you!
From the Canadian grading standards (stricter than US, but my preferred): "UNC60 [...] 4. There may be minor flaws or defects resulting in up to three demerits, such as: visible counting creases (one demerit each), tight margin (one demerit). [...] 6. Banding marks, ATM or counting machine marks that have caused small indentations in the note are acceptable." Broken paper fibers will definitely disqualify a note from UNC grades, but from your written description, it might slip through.
A note with problems that may include toned paper, a small stain or fading. There will be handling issues but there will be no folds through the design. This is PMG,s definition of a 60 which is a minimum uncirculated note based on that your all rood
Based strictly upon your photos, I don't think those areas you mentioned would detract from the grade at all. Sending it to PMG would be what I'd do if you wish to keep it in good condition, or even to sell it. Good luck and let us know if you have it graded.
Thank you for your opinions! Any tip to send to PMG for grading? I've only sent coind to NGC and ANACS for grading, I've never send in any paper money for grading.
Don’t be cheap on postage. Send as a package to get tracking and make it stiff with the paper money on the inside of whatever you use to keep it from bending. The last thing you want is a box of books hitting it and putting folds in the paper.
IMHO the note will grade approximately 63-64 based on the handling mark. It appears from your photograph with the lighting set up that the intaglio printing is deeply embossed which is a plus with grading and collectors prefer deep embossing.
Some of the slight bends could be corrected. 1. A press system. 2. Air heat the note [not close only enough to remove some of the wrinkles] eyeball this and then place it on top of a flat acid-free white sheet and then under another acid-free white sheet. Then place a heavy sheet with very heavy weight on top till it's cooled. I would not try to iron such. Many will not agree with this. How do you think others pay to conserve notes and other paper items. Good luck.
I would not recommend doing any of the above, dealers and professional graders can smell a processed note a mile off. Also, much of what your note has going for it is the deepness of the imprint, etc. To press the note, etc., would be to throw the baby out with the bath water.