Why The First Prefix?

From what I know why some prefix's are more valuable then others is the amount notes printed. Some Prefix's are replacement notes and so there are less of them around, which makes them scares or hard to find.

But if special serial numbers is not your thing, then I guess it has no extra value to you. But to those that love the rarities, they are like candy to toddlers.

It's my take on these that any premium on AA prefixes, say, is put there by the sellers, and not too many buyers. I have a hard time believing that modern notes printed in the millions will see much of a premium for any particular run, unless there is a decidedly smaller quantity involved.

Given a choice of UNC notes, I'll take the earlier prefix, too, but hold no real belief I'm gaining anything by doing so. Let's face it, modern world notes are not going to see large premiums, there's just too many off them out there.

Thanks for all your posted opinions.

Re: U.K. notes:


- I have noticed that the hype around first prefixes is especially rampant from UK (or UK influenced sellers). It just makes no sense to me.




- on the contrary, I'm quite attracted to special serial numbers other than Specimen- which are typically all 0's & in my mind an over-inflated tax grab by a country's bank -since they never were meant for circulation (but I digress!)

I am even more drawn to acquire short prefixes, rare change-overs and "good-overs" & have acquired a few errors (though that's not my thing). I have also collected many replacements but I'm still inclined towards the first 3 types of notes.

I'm just finding it a bit of a challenge to identify/acquire some of the rarer/scarcer world notes. Many dealers seem to be putting "rare" on many of their listings with nothing to back it up what their print run/why (like over-grading IMO)

If anyone knows of a good reference guide- please feel free to share!

Thanks KK (I will look to Rennick's & Token Publishing's Banknote Yearbook).
W2W