More U.s. Currency ?

hey guys,

I was going through a wad of banknotes this morning and I noticed somethign odd. I only found one dollar bill that was before the year 1999 (it was only a 1995). My question to you is: when looking through cash, what is the latest date that I should save? The 2nd question is: why are the older ones disappearing so fast?

thanks,

chevy

 

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Don't know the answer to the first part. As for #2, I think the estimated life of a bill in circulation is 18 months, which is why the older ones are so hard to find.

 

Save whatever appeals to you. Most currency has a lifespan of near 18 to 24 months. Yet on occasion, it is possible to find notes as old as a 34 series. Usually these type of notes have been in collections and enter circulation because their owners have decided to let someone else enjoy, or maybe they were stolen. Either way, old coins and currency still hit the stores and banks. Just keep an eye out for the strange and unusual.

 

where dose it say the date?

 

The series date is on the front of each bill. This date however doesn't provide when the bill was made. Many years of printing fall under the given series.

 

ok so mine says series 1981 A 1 dollar note is this old

 

It is several series back, so by current circulation standards, yes that note is old. Most notes still in circulation are not series dated older than 1995.

 

what do you mean by several series back

 

The current series on the dollar bill is 2003. The last was 2001, before that 1999, 1995, and so on. 1981 was a couple before that.

 

sorry i still dont understand

 

That is okay.

Each note is given a series year. That date will stay the same until a change occurs. If a new treasurer or a new secretary comes into office, or a design change happens. If the note is changed in any way, the date will change. It may get a letter following the date, such as your 1981-A or a new date all together. The new color on the $20 bill received a new series date. (2004).

Unlike coins, currency only gets a date change when something changes.

Does that help?

 

thank you that dose help so is it worth anything or should i just keep it

 

The condition of the note will determine its value. Only a small number of modern notes have a value based on series letter or date.

 

well the condition is good in fact there is no tears but its is it has been folded alot

 

thanks for all your help

 

There is a book called: Standard guide to US paper money small size 1928 to date. This is the most conprehensive of all currency books that I have read. It gives the little info that currency collectors crave. I would suggest if you have interest in Paper money from the US, that you pick up a copy.

As far as the 81-A in circulated condition, it does not carry a premium.

With that said, it still is a circulation rarity. Your odds of finding one in daily use are pretty slim. If you like it, keep it. If not, use it. It won't go up in numimatic value.

 

can i get Standard guide to US paper money small size 1928 to date in the uk

 

Most coin dealers who have US coins should have it, or can order it for you. I looked through amazon.com but could not find it listed. Maybe some other member can assist you in that.

 

ok thanks for your help