1899 $5 Chief Note How Did I Do?

Thanks, I was thinking about sending it to PCGS. From your expirience any idea what this note COULD be worth? Always was interested in Chief notes but never thoght I could get one for $300.00.

Ryan,
I was only kidding about sending it to PCGS, yes it may come back with a higher grade but that wont change the fact that no matter what they call it in the real world it will still only be VG.

I just checked the latest edition of the Friedberg book, Paper Money of the US and a F # 280 in VG-8 books at $ 550.
You did very well at $ 300. It would be a very good start on a Large Size Silver Certificate collection, it may be a very long time before you find another one like that at that price.
The Bill Collector

"Bill Collector,
I was actually considering sending it before you said it because in the future if I wanted to sell it, wouldn't people be more 'interested' if it was graded by PCGS not CGA? Thanks for all your advice and knowledge, you sure know a lot"

Ryan,
I'm a currency collector. I buy and study the "books" and try an learn something about currency collecting everyday.

I think PMG and CGA are more respected by the real currency collectors than PCGS, I can honestly say that I have never seen a PMG or a CGA that was so far off grade that it was bordering on fraud, most are just about on the money . I can not say that about PCGS, if you have been following some of the post you will see what I'm talking about. Check out the post about the $ 20. and the $ 1000. that PCGS graded as V and VF, that should put a smile on you face. Then ask your self, would I pay V or VF money for those ?. Then look at your Chief, that is graded correctly as VG.

Did you see the post about the two $ 5,000. FRN's and the two $ 10,000. FRN's awhile back, if not guess who they were graded by, PMG, not PCGS.

If the object is to fool some unsuspecting beginning collector that it's a higher grade than it really is then PCGS are the guys you may want to go to. Not that they always grade on the high side but most times they are so far off it's, like I said, like fraud, if that's your main concern with US currency then I would say your not in it because you want to collect or build a collection, your in it because of the money you think you can make off others that don't know any better.

Hope that's not the case but it seems that there are more guys on the Currency section of the CC forum for that reason than guys that are wanting to build a collection.

All any one has to do is read all the "look at what I found, how much do you think it's worth, or how much do you think I can sell it for type of post.

Where have all the collectors gone ?.

Rant off
The Bill Collector

I totally understand, honestly though I will not sell this note for a long time if I ever decide too. I have many many large notes 1917's of each denomination a few 1899 Dollar Bill's and about 200 silver certificates. I collect but I do not know much about the rarer bills like the Chief notes and Educational Notes. Not yet have I bought a bill just to re-sell. I am only 17 and am not expirienced yet with currency so I try to ask others once in awhile for values of bills I need some help on. I hope you don't see me as a guy into only making money on this hobby.

Very glad to hear that your interested in collecting Paper Money, and not just the kind you fold up and put in your pocket. Sounds you already have a sizeable collection, and I'm amazed that at 17 you have gotten as far as you have.

The next best thing you should do to learn more about US currency is buy the Paper Money of the US by Friedberg, it's the book that most dealers and TPG's use because it has all the F ( Friedberg ) numbers that are used to ID the notes, such as your F # 280 Chief.

I know I probably came across as some kind of old hard a** but I see 10 times more "whats it worth" post than real collector post it gets up setting at times.

BTW, the Friedberg book also has a price guide that gives you some idea of the value of just about every US note.
Also has photos of just about all the notes, and in color.
It's not a expensive book, maybe around $ 40.00. For me it's the bible of US currency.

I wish you well in your collecting endeavors, your young enough that no matter what you buy at today's prices, if you buy right like you bought that Chief, in 10 years or less your collection hopefully will have gone way up in value. That would be the time to think about what it's worth.

Remember, if you can afford to buy nice notes and you buy right or even if you pay a bit more than you think you should, if your careful in your buying and you intend to keep building your collection for awhile, you will never pay to much, sometimes you only pay to soon.
Best Regards
The Bill Collector

That is an impressive note to have in a collection at such a young age. Great buy!

Notes have really gone up a lot in the past few years, since the popularity in them has grown by a large amount.

Keep searching and I know you will find more great deals. Good luck and read up about the hobby. Like Ben Franklin said, if you think education is expensive, try ignorance!