I've seen a lot of old bank notes for sale that never got dated or signed by the cashier or president. Some have just been dated with no signatures. Can someone tell me, in general, are these more or less valuable than ones that have been signed? They typically are found in higher grades, obviously since they have not circulated. Do you guys have a preference you like to buy or does it matter to you either way?
Have to be more specific. If they are 19th century obsoletes they are likely just remainders from banknotes that were never issued ie Canal Bank etc. But if they are Nationals, a lot of the signatures were light to begin with and faded off if the note had gotten wet etc, some of the notes even have rubber stamped signatures that faded very quickly.
I am willing to bet that thats exactly what he is making reference to... I have a few remainders...collect them for the vignettes.... RickieB
When discussing US obsoletes, whether a signed/issued note is more valuable than an unissued remainder is going to depend on which are more common. Usually, the remainders are more common but, as you noted, the issued notes are usually lower grade. I would prefer an issued EF note over an UNC unissued remainder. Some obsoletes are only known as remainders, however.
Some of them like issued Canal Bank notes are worth significantly more if they were actually issued. Bank of North America is another one that survived into the National Charter era and redeemed most of their outstanding notes. There was one from the latter that was $900 in a recent auction. It was in the EF range. RickieB, that is why l like obsoletes also, the vignettes are phenomenal. Early steel plate engravings are amazing pieces of art.
I have a few remainders and agree that signed obsoletes are more valuable.When the American Bank Note Co. went out of business there was an auction of remainders & steel plates still in crates.A few years back I spoke to a printer on long Island,NY, who bought the plates to the Hawaii bank notes of 1896. He had a Spider Press & would sell set of copies from original engraved ABNCo steel plates that he inventoried for the auction & won the bid on.The problem with this was he never kept records of amount printed so the values are unkown & not true obsoletes,but I bought a set anyway ,Beautiful Vignettes. The Amer. Bank Note Co. Archives sets (1986-1992) are very nice if you like collecting Proof Vignettes from original dies.
As Connor1 notes indeed there are many many reprints of obsoletes starting to hit the market - even TPG's are having a difficult time determining what is a 19th century remainder and what is a 21st century reprint.
