I've been collecting US coins for years and have a fairly extensive collection. Up until recently I only owned US coins, but after reading some threads on this site jumoped into some world coins. Now I am starting a small collection of Paper Money, but I have no idea where to start. When someone is new to coins they most usually start with Lincoln Pennies, what do new Paper Money collectors start with? Who are the best grading services? Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
I started collecting old German notes. They cost $1 for a handful at some places, not kidding either. My collection of world notes has went from about 10 to over 150 in 3 months time for a fraction of what I spent on coins. It really depends on what you want to collect. I just do themes and designs that appeal to me. Collectable value means nothing. Note collecting is a bit more fun for me because I get more "bang for a buck" with those.
When i started collecting bills, i Started buying in bulk at the bank and looked through them for Star Notes and other random things. Then i went on to collect one from each FRD for each series (something that is constantly on-going so it stays interesting) for me this was the easiest and somewhat cheapest way to get into it and start learning. From there i back tracked in time to other bills. I dont stick to any one kind (Silver Certificate, FRN, FRBN, Legal Tender Note, Treasury Note, National Bank Note, Fractional Notes, Colonial Notes, Confederate, Emergancy Notes, or any of the other types of US currency) I try to find a bill that 1) is in my price range and 2) one that has Artwork that i really enjoy. Personnaly i dont think i would ever buy many of the Treasury or coin notes due to (IMHO) the artwork on alot of them isnt as good as alot of the vingettes on other US currencies. My main focus is to obtain a collection that i can appreciate while balancing the cost over grade. Others go for the save your money to get a higher grade approach - neither is wrong and neither is completely correct, the correct answer is whatever works best for you. In the end, a person can say how they started, but the process that fits for you is all up to you. ps - My alltime favorite Bills - 1899 Chief, 1901 Bison, and my 1886 Tombstone note. The artwork on the Tombstone note isnt as good as the Chief or Bison notes (IMHO) but its just creepy to have the vingette framed by a tombstone :rolling:
im not sure if this will work .. but i posted the pics in the gallery.... This picture is a bit blurry (not sure why) its not inthe best of shape, but i think grades fine (or so) http://www.cointalk.org/gallery/showimage.php?i=237&c=3 This bill had been in a fire. When i got it the bill was in a mylar holder that was melted to the bill. It was a shame, but a great bill for the price. I just wouldnt have been able to get one otherwise http://www.cointalk.org/gallery/showimage.php?i=236&c=3 this bill is in real good shape, prolly grade fine (give or take) http://www.cointalk.org/gallery/showimage.php?i=235&c=3 All 3 bills are in Capital Plastics holders, so i think thats why the appear a little bleached
Wow nice bills. I really like those notes. It would be nice if todays bills looked like that. It has been a while since any bills have been changed drastically.
Those are very cool. Thanks for the post. AveCollector, I agree with you. Its too bad the US gov doesn't make money like that anymore. I guess that is why I don't collect moderns....
I agree, i only collect mordern FRN's just to stay involved, not much for any other reason. I love the artistry of the old bils. I want to get the whole Education Seriies of 1896. I have the $1 in 'good' shape. But the $2 and $5 are much more expensive even in the 'good' condition they can run a couple to several hundred dollars.... I will get them one day - but for now i am saving my money to get one of the Mints new Buffalo Gold dollars they are releasing this year. I dont own any Gold, so this is an awsome way for my to get involved IMHO
what should new collectors go to the bank and look for when rummaging through notes? should we start collecting one of each note, of each current series, from each bank????? should we just look for radars and stars? consecutive, multiples? no one really answered the origional question.
most posters actually did answer... its all up to you. Do you only want to collect radars, ladders and other such notes, or do u want a note from each distric for each series... its all up to you.
I'd recomend going to the book store and looking at (Maybe buying) a book on Notes or FRNs... Lean about them and see what interests you before you go in deep buying...
standard guide to small size US paper money 6ht edition i went to the coin show yesterday in GR, MI and two currency dealers were using this book, so I bought one too. It is a recent printing. by Dean Oakes and John Schwartz
