Future Of Currency Collecting

Tylosaurus a good question. Currency collecting has been one of my main interests since the 80's off and on. Back then I collected cheap foreign stuff because for me, at that time, US was mostly too expensive. Times change and I now have quite a few notes, both cheap and somewhat less cheap. I started grabbing Canadian a couple of months ago, but after a conversation with a local coin dealer I have switched back to US and also pacific nw depression scrip. Surprisingly, those appear to be real popular, as I keep getting outbid for them. Just from what I see on this forum, coin collecting is far more popular than currency. Other than this forum, I have never met or run into a currency collector. Perhaps, like me, most folks don't advertise it.

I have a spreadsheet that I keep track of all coin, stamp, bb card, and currency purchases. Looking back at my first currency purchases I see that I can get the same today at around the same prices, so no price appreciation in the last 10 years for common stuff. For really choice notes that are in demand, I think the market is quite good and will remain so. Nationals though do not seem to be as popular as they were a few years ago. One of the things that old geezers like me think about is what happens to my collections after I am gone? That is a subject for another discussion.

Since I'm 16, I won't have to worry about my collection once I pass away for awhile (hopefully). I estimate what I have at around $3500 at the moment and it will surely grow as I age so I would probably need my family to auction off what I have when I die as an old man. Coming back towards the topic, I feel something needs to be said about currency collectors my age or the lack thereof. I just hope that more people catch on so the hobby can thrive.

Tylosaurus, it is nice to see someone who doesn't remember buying gas for ¢.35 a gallon, who is into currency collecting. Keep posting and show us some more notes!

I'm on the younger side of the age spectrum, at 23, when it comes to currency. I've amassed a substantial collection of Virginia national notes as well most large size "type notes" that are readily available. Still missing the 1890 $2 - $10 ornate backs, as well as a few high denomination large size gold certificates. I don't see nearly as many young people getting into currency as I do with coins, unfortunately. It's another great branch of coin collecting and they go hand in hand. I just wish more people could dabble in the currency side of things.

I also believe currency to be incredibly undervalued compared to the rarity of some of the notes out there. How often can you buy a coin with a population of 10 at $200 like you can with a national note? These are true rarities grossly undervalued!

As for prices, nationals seem to be down from where they were several years ago, but large size is doing really well, as well as gold certificates -- They both have been a lot of bidding interest on ebay, Heritage etc.

Agree, we're in good shape. The appeal of collecting large size notes is quite different (to me) than the appeal of small size notes. The beautiful engraving on our old large notes just slams the door on the smaller ones. On the other hand, I think it's still the "wild west" with small notes, often collected by block numbers, S/N permutations and myriad error categories that aren't really a part of the large size market. The small note market is also an ideal hunting ground for collectors with less to spend.

I always think of NBNs as a separate category, with supply/demand factors essentially the same for both large and small notes, save for large size type collecting. There will always be a fascination and local flavor to hunting down the currency of independent banks, and many collectors, in my experience, aren't really in it for the money. Different ballgame, different fans.

I prefer coin collecting, But I agree with the others.