Note Grading Question

The partial note will get an Apparent grade without PPQ but the number would be the same. See this discussion.

http://forums.collectors.com/messag...ord2=grading

Agreed with nationals, the cost of getting those notes graded would well exceed what you paid for them. I bought a lot from ebay similar to the one you got, GoldenChest, when I first started out and right now I'm trying to sell my VG/F 1928 $2 notes (one is missing a corner also) since I have numerous other examples in much higher grades.

A strategy I'd recommend now is buying the highest grade you can afford even if it is just a single note rather than buying a lot. Thats just my opinion.
But congrats on those notes, Are you planning to complete the set of Hawaii notes?

GoldenChest, I am doing something similar to you. Trying to collect every small size note type from 1928 to 1963 with exceptions of course (No high denom. notes, Just one set of 1929 nationals from NY, FRNs from NY or Chicago, No crazy rare notes such as '33 $10 SC). Getting star notes whenever I can afford it.

It is not an easy task sometimes but very satisfying when your nearing completion. I think if you can get older notes at FV your just using common sense because the older notes to collectors always have a premium, sometimes a small amount and sometimes a much substantial amount such as finding a national like you did.
I can't believe someone would spend a national honestly, It is very obvious its different, old, and most likely worth something more than FV even to those who know nothing about collecting US paper money.

I think if you decide to do signatures as well, you just complicated your task tenfold. Personally I avoid signatures and most differences within a series.
Hawaii sets are a more pricey set to complete especially in higher grades. I currently have a $1 Hawaii in UNC, $5 in EF, $10 in VF and $20 in EF. Right now looking to upgrade my $10 Hawaii. Star notes for hawaii notes command astronomical prices so I decided to avoid those.