Ultimately the market rules and decides which is more valuable. But I wanted to see what some of you thought and which are you more willing to pay up for, all else equal: a rare block or a low serial number ? Rare blocks are more obscure...they won't stand out unless you really know the bill and series (and even then maybe not). But a low serial number you see pretty much right after looking at the bill. I ask because I happened to see a PMG 67 Hawaii note for sale...I have one with the same grade. But this one is a rare block while mine is the more common one....but mine has a sub-1,000 SN and the one on the rare block is very high (it's not anywhere near low). This bill, same grade as mine, costs 2x as much. I personally like low SN's since I already have a rare bill (Hawaii) and high grade. I value the SN more than some rare esoteric trait. How about you guys and gals ?
I think it's personal preference. As with most things collecting, it comes down to what you like. The analogy on coins would be, do you want FBL, or do you want attractive toning? Sure, sometimes you'll find a unicorn with both, but you have to choose which is more important to you for your collection. Now, find a rare block, low SN, radar.
It's personal preference. Buy what you like. Personally, if I had a higher grade note and a lower grade note with a rare block came up, I'd grab it as long as it was affordable.
In this case, it's the 3rd variable/trait that jumps the value a ton. You have a rare bill type (Hawaii WW II note).....a high grade (67, Superb Gem Quality), and then either the rare block or low serial number. What I'd like to know is who has a high grade bill....rare block....and super-low SN (like under 10). Either they never/rarely make it to market or those bills actually circulated decades ago and don't exist in high grade uncirculated form.
Depends on one's financial limitations....and remember, you're already talking about a rare bill (i.e., high grade and/or unique type like Hawaii or North Africa WW II notes). Or large denomination....or Legal Tender notes....or 1928 Silver Certificates, etc. You add BOTH a rare black and a very low SN....you drive up the cost from a few hundred $$$ to a few thousand.
I don't want them that bad. I've bid on a few, but when they go over $20 - $30 I'm out. I'll bide my time and sooner or later I'll get one. I always do. The first one I get doesn't have to be the best one I get. Once I get one, If I decide I like them enough, I can always get a better one.
