until I found this area I came to the site due to coins, but since I found this area I do have some questions. I'm not overly interested in collecting paper money, and what I do have I'd prefer to sell and put it into something else. I'm certain nothing I have is worth much anyway, other than recovering some funds I could use to spend. Besides a pile of Japanese occupation notes my Grandfather brought home after WWII my question today is only on a 1934 series $20 silver certificate. Since it doesn't have a rare seal, star, or stamped as Hawaii I don't think it has much value, but afraid to just sell it without knowing. Then again, I got it from an ATM machine in Hawaii in when stationed there in 1986 and almost walked into the bank to complain because I thought it was funny money when I first saw it, so I'm out nothing even if I simply spend it. I can't even grade coins, much less paper money, but this one has obviously been folded into quarters once, but otherwise looks like it has very little wear and tear. So, is there any point in bringing this into a coin store when I can, selling on E-bay, or some other route?
That is not a silver certificate, it is a Federal Reserve Bank Note. It is in decent shape, but it is from a very common Fed District (Chicago) from a very common run (1934-A). It would fetch $30 or so would be my guess. If there is any sentimental value to it, it likely exceeds it's collectible value. I'd hang onto it, just to remember times long past.
Well, I hung on to it for 27 years, so I guess it must have some sentimental value, if only the look on my face wondering what the machine just gave me
Oh, and thanks for the clarification on it not being a silver certificate. I already knew that but can't break the habit of calling it that since a friend told me that's what it was shortly after I ended up with it. Hard habit to break I think you're right though. The effort vs. return likely doesn't add up to letting go what takes up such a small space. I think I'll just get some paper money pages for this stuff and keep it with the coins and enjoy them Sorry to waste the time of anyone else looking, but he already answered my question. Maybe I only needed to verbalize it to convince myself or something...
No worries. You're not wasting anyone's time. It's an interesting bill! Most of us got our start in collecting paper money by getting something cool liked this. Have you seen the large sized notes from the late 1800s and early 1900s? They have some amazing artwork. I definitely recommend looking them up online just for kicks.
I have one of those too, same year, same denomination, but in much lower condition than yours. Yeah it's worth more than twenty bucks, but the sentimental value might keep you from selling it. eBay is probably not a good choice for a lower-value note like yours because of the fees.
