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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,765 |
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Valued Member
United States
104 Posts |
A couple days ago, I picked up the Guide Book of United States Paper Money by Arthur/Ira Friedberg. After skimming through the book, I was intrigued by the Gold Coin notes and several of the early large notes. Up to this point, my collection has been solely coins. However, I can see myself venturing out into paper money at some point soon. For those of you who focus on paper money, how do you collect? By series? By denomination? By type? Also, what would you suggest to collect for a beginner without breaking the bank? I would like to put together some type of set, but I don't have thousands of dollars to throw around (I would be willing to spend somewhere under $300 per note). Thanks for your advice!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2850 Posts |
I collect by type and I mainly focus on large size notes.
You did the smart thing and bought the book first. The $10 and $20 large gold notes can easily be obtained in decent condition at $300 and under, the other denominations not so much.
As for a type set that might fit your budget, I'd recommend large size $1 silver certificates. Many different designs and types (star notes if you're feeling really ambitious) and they are all relatively affordable and can be easily obtained.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12815 Posts |
I'm collecting modern U.S. currency by type and series. Mostly small-size $1, $2, and $5, but I do have a few larger denomination notes lurking around.
Also trying for a star of each. Unless I win the lottery or get a huge promotion, I feel like this will take me the rest of my life - and I will enjoy every second of it.
The one thing I will say is I try to upgrade all my showcase notes to a lower print run when possible. By "showcase" I mean the choice notes that goes into my display album; I'm not implying that I have any true jaw-droppers like many of the ones posted on this forum. For instance, if I have the opportunity to upgrade a note with a 3.2M print run to a 640k print run, you better believe I'll do it.
And I try to get the best note available for what I'm comfortable spending. For most everything post-1935, it's pretty affordable to get CU.
At some point I may move to graded notes but I haven't pulled the trigger on that yet.
Food for thought.
Edited by CelticKnot
05/27/2016 11:50 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1358 Posts |
I'm quite the passive currency collector. Interest comes in spurts for me, and I haven't had a major bout of interest for a few months now. Currently I collect notes from circulation. Block collection for $1 & $2, and series and printing facility for higher denominations. Most of what I find and put aside isn't worth more than face but "fills a hole" in the collection, like a new $1 block. Mostly just an interesting way for me to set aside some cash.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1339 Posts |
My main focus is on my hometown National Bank notes,(one bank town).....They can get pricey, other than that,I,m all over the place, starting to get more towards graded stuff in my older age!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
519 Posts |
I also concentrate on Nationals from my home state. I also am on the lookout for large size type notes, if they are affordable.
YB
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Valued Member
Austria
391 Posts |
Edited by Cmcart
05/29/2016 2:45 pm
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Valued Member
United States
331 Posts |
I collect fractional notes. I started with U.S. then Confederate, MPC's, and finally Obsoletes and scrip. The obsoletes are interesting because the varieties are almost endless and the prices are so varied.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I'm all over the map. In large-size, I mostly collect high-grade type, but also look for stars and low S/Ns. In small size, I also collect high-grade type, in addition to a number of FRN series by district (notably the 1928 $100s) and scarce stars as available. With some exceptions, I don't collect issues printed after 1950.
I have never been able to pin myself down any further!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5841 Posts |
I'm basically trying to put together a type album of 20th century currency, focusing on notes I can actually afford and sticking to the major types. So, nothing above $100 in denomination and no truly rare or exotic notes. I have dipped a little bit into the 19th century and have also purchased a few more expensive notes as my collection has grown, but that still pretty much describes my collecting goals: My United States Currency Collection |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
800 Posts |
I collect mainly circulated currency and coins with an emphasis on currency. I do not buy any coins or currency. Right now I'm focusing on Star notes and Fancy serial notes. It is a continuation of a collection that was left to me by my mother.
Edited by cashhound
05/29/2016 11:26 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
my suggestion... start checking out notes, read up on the so you know what your looking at ... and looking for. Buy a book .. I like this one  Maybe purchase a album    And/or a storage box  I started out on $1.00 notes, trying to get one from each series.   Then went into $2.00 notes. Both one and two dollar notes have a couple harder, more expense notes. You can also collect by seal color ... red, green blue etc    Most of my notes are not high grade. I do notes for fun and to add variety to my collection. |
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Valued Member
United States
446 Posts |
I started out with the occasional purchase of a two dollar bill or a Silver Certificate when I was in junior high. Over the years I built up a set of $2 FRNs for every series/FRB/block letter, more Silver Certificates, foreign banknotes (lots of them) from coin shows, and the occasional auction.
Just yesterday on a whim I purchased a Canadian $5 bill from my bank (Wells Fargo). I got it for $4.05. I plan to get other currencies, such as British pounds and Australian dollars.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4637 Posts |
My original goal was to acquire every $1 FRN Star note for every district, every run, every series in uncirculated condition......and I accomplished that but was very distracted along the way. My collecting evolved into large size notes, Nationals, Emergency notes, Error notes, Fancy serial numbers, Fractionals, Obsoletes, High denominations, and so on and so on. It seems the more you hang around, the more you learn, and you ultimately branch out and find something new you like.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
GR58 hits it on the nose - the "Standard Guide to US Small Size Paper Money" by Schwartz and Lindquist is a must-have reference.
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Valued Member
 United States
104 Posts |
Such great responses and suggestions. I'm certainly going to check out the resources suggested and pick them up. I am really digging the red seal legal tender and FRNs right now. May start with $2s.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,765 |
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Posted 05/27/2016 11:49 pm
