Hi everyone, first post!
I came within an eyelash of buying my first 1899 $1 Silver Cert. in graded XF40 condition... I LOVED the note, no folds or stains, got a good deal, wanted the note to salvage a lackluster show as far as finding coins I was looking for. I was all set to purchase that note...
... until I noticed something that was in plain sight and impossible to miss. The paper used for this series of notes had the red and blue fibers as you are all aware I am sure. This note, though, had an unusually thick, bold, concentrated swath of these fibers in 2 parallel vertical bands, so noticeable that in my unlearned mind it detracted some from the eye appeal it had for me personally. I compared the one I wanted with others at the show, and it definitely had a much greater concentration of colored fibers than any of the others. Being a clean 40-grade note, it made the bands of fibers stand out even more.
I HATED to pass on the note, but I held out for another day to find what I considered a more visually appealing piece. My buy-the-book-before-the-coin instinct told me that there will be "others" to be found, even though there is that little nagging fear that you may NOT find a better one. Sure enough, got home last night and
ebay is FULL of graded listings.
So, being a newbie to currency for the most part, my questions are:
1. What is the norm (if there is one) for the paper and the fiber concentration for the series?
2. How does that fiber situation affect grading, value and desirability in the currency circles?
I will own a Black Eagle. It is the most popular and well-known note out there. Last night though, I realized that my decision was the right thing.
I will hold out and get an UNC ;)
With a little bit less noticeable fiber saturation.
Any thoughts?
Posted 07/20/2013 10:13 pm
