How did I do here. $74 for all 5. Really not an expert on older paper values, so I hope I didn't kill myself too bad here. Seller's pics.
It kind of looks like the 1917 was torn completely separate and then taped back together... I'll have to see when I get it. Does the low serial of the funnyback give it any extra value (or rather, is it worth not as little as it would be otherwise)?
Same here. I'm a real big fan of these old school designs. Even if I got a numismatically bad deal, I'm still happy because I FINALLY have a Black Eagle and that 1917 I've always wanted.
figured it was time to expand my US paper collection to something more than just circulation finds...
I'm a quality over quantity collector, so there is nothing there I would buy/keep for my collection. Personally and respectfully, I would have taken the $74 and bought one decent example I like instead of these problem notes. Collect what you like.
I'm a poor collector so I take what I can get! Naturally I would like nice examples but like my Buffalo nickel collection (90% of which are acid dated...), it's so much cheaper haha
I like them. Value wise, IDK. In 10 years or 15 are you going to need that $74? Probably not. And you will have these for the rest of your life. Nice low serial number on the Woods/ Mellon 1928-A. Retail for all $81. $10, $25, $20, $20, $6
Bills came in today. The vignette on the left side of the 1917 was completely torn off and taped back. The Black Eagle feels like its going to fall apart any second. The 1923 is about to split for good down the middle. The 10c feels thinner than one-ply toilet paper. The 1928 feels and looks worse than used TP. Ouch.
Bargains can be found. But generally you get what you pay for. This is why I priced them at low end of the spectrum for each note, the distressed condition. Hindsight being 20/20 it would prob be better to get one superior quality note for $75.
Lesson learned! This is why I'm quitting American money and moving entirely into foreign notes, where UNC and remainder notes can be had for very good prices. I can't afford American!
I once bought a 1869 $1 USN "rainbow note" for next to nothing, because it had been "damaged" by the careful application of an Oglesby, Illinois post office cancellation dated June 4, 1870. It otherwise is a handsome, well-preserved note. For a long time I wondered why that had been done. First I thought perhaps the local postmaster was validating the new notes for those unfamiliar with them. But that wouldn't explain its nearly new condition. I even interacted with the city clerk, asking if anything important had happened there that day. Nothing he knew of. I finally decided that most likely it was a wedding gift. June 4, 1870 being the first Saturday of the month most popular for weddings. From a clever person of modest means as a keepsake cum "keep this and never be broke" present to the couple. That explains both its survival and its condition. It also makes it worth more to me than an "undamaged" note would.