The question "to keep or not to keep" is dependent on the collector. A typical star note collector will say spend it. A block collector that needs 2009 $1 A-A block will say keep it. A liars poker player will say keep it, and a really thirsty Silver Certificate collector standing in front of a soda machine will spend it.
Well said, Steve. The way I approach deciding whether or not to keep a note is, if there is any doubt in my mind about keeping it, I will usually spend it. When I find a note and say to myself "wow, cool! I'm keeping this bad boy" without any reservations about hanging onto said note, than I know I'm making the right decision for ME by keeping it. Happy hunting!
jlg1130 - that's about my feeling in general. I noticed it as it was handed to me, by a coin dealer no less, then decided to put it in my bill fold (oh the horror!!!). But it 'tickled' my thoughts this morning, resulting in my keep it decision. That's the subconscious trump card play - it knows something I don't. Me thinks it's easier not to regret a keeper than a reticent spender.
If I have a doubt (exclusively for $1's), I keep it. Here's my reasoning: It's a $1 investment, if I need to in the future; I can spend it, and if I ever need som extra $1's to grab some star notes (which is what I mainly collect), I got these bills that I can turn in without feeling too bad about it. It works out for me though, do what you want. As other people said; different people will collect and spend different bills. It's all a matter on what you want to build your collection on! Personally, I like variety. I try to get a little bit of everything going on, and not jsut one specific type of collectible US paper currency. Stars, errors, special serial numbers, older type bills, you name it... I collect it. IMO, I do not think this particular bill is collectibe. Let me explain: Its not a binary or at least a trinary. If that last '1' was a '4', a '0' or a '7', it would at least be a trinary. Most people don't even collect trinaries though (I do). People seem to be more interested in binaries. So, I would spend it, but remember, its not about what I would do; its all about what you would do. Good luck with deciding what it is you will do with this bill, and when you do decide what you are going to do, let me know. I am interested to see what you decide to do in the end.
