I have been looking at these for awhile and want one but I'm such a noob, would I be better off buying a graded? Although I'd like to stay in the $100 range. Whats the best I can expect to get for that? I have been looking at ebay pretty much. Like this one for instance; is this worth it? http://tinyurl.com/ckrps5a
I would say this note is in Fine condition and would probably grade about at 12. It's worth about $60-$75 in my opinion. You can get a 1917 $2 in Very Fine (raw) condition for $100, or Choice Fine 15 if graded. Maybe even 20/20PPQ if you're patient. Your best bet is to win the note at auction rather than Buy It Now - unless the seller is not aware of the value of their note. If signatures are unimportant, then the Speelman/White combination that this note has is the best bang for your buck. This is the most common signature combination (Fr. 60). To get an idea of what Fr. 60's you can get for under $100. F-VF (raw) $92: http://currency.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=141317&lotNo=34283 F15 $84: http://currency.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=141238&lotNo=32406 VF20PPQ $94: http://currency.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=141243&lotNo=32567 VF20 $111: http://currency.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=141244&lotNo=33363 Usually a VF20 or VF20PPQ will go for $100-$120, but you can get it for less than $100 if you're patient, as evidenced by the third link ($94).
I ended up buying a very nice note locally. I posted it in the other thread about new acquisitions but here it is again Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Beautiful note! Did you squeeze that into your $100 budget? If so, you got a fantastic deal considering the condition (looks XF to AU). It could be pressed based on the look of that vertical fold near the center right. But it's an exceptionally good looking note, nonetheless!
I'll get a better picture, the plastic it was in was kinda crappy, I've since put it in an acrylic holder. It said xf and it was a little over $100 ;-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here's some better pictures. The bill feels stiff and solid to me. I don't know what the proper terminology would be but it's great. Also the last picture is of the assumed grading for it, I guess. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Although there aren't any photos of the reverse to confirm the sticker's mule claim. If that's really a mule on a Speelman/White combination... you made out really well for just over $100. I think such a note would be worth well over $200 on today's market. Very nice.
Doesn't look like it. A note with the Speelman/White signature combination (or Elliot/White) is considered a mule because it uses a back plate from the Burke era (Parker/Burke or Teehee/Burke). Here is an image for your comparison. The note on the left is an Fr. 57, with the Teehee/Burke signature combination. Note that the back plate number is in the 9 o'clock position. The note on the right is an Fr. 60, with the Speelman/White signature combination. The back plate number is in the 4 o'clock position. So therefore a mule is a note with a Speelman/White or Elliot/White signature combination on the face, but uses a Burke back plate, which can be identified by the position of the back plate number at the 9 o'clock position. Although your image is not super clear, it does look like it has the proper White back plate, and would not be a mule. Sorry.
Ok now that I know what to look for here is a clearer picture, I hope. I'm guessing this can confirm its not a "mule". Thanks for your help. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
