| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,611 |
|
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
In all of your expert opinions what notes do you think are good notes for starting your US notes collection. I would like to start with notes that cost around $100 and lower if possible. I know most US notes are quite expensive but I am trying to balance this hobby and another even More Expensive hobby. US notes have always been a big interest of mine so would appreciate the help!
|
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Please try to be more specific. Let's start with - are you interested in large size US notes, or small size?  to the CCF! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Hi Bella99, I started a post last year on my US Note type set. My budget was under $300 per note with the vast majority (75-85%) being $100 or less. You can find many notes for under $100, try to stick to a reasonable grade (in my case I picked VF and higher) and try to find a local source. The issue with using ebay is that each item had about a 10-15% premium because of fees. I also used Allen's of Ohio, they have a fairly low cost selection of notes. The prices do shoot up in higher grades and in large notes but there a few for under that $100 limit. Good luck in your endeavor. |
|
New Member
 United States
15 Posts |
Coinfrog , I have an interest in both small and big notes. Love confederate notes but I am hesitant buying those on ebay because I know they are around the most counterfeit notes and very popular. There's a 1917 $1 note I found for 35 dollars thats on my radar. Also interested in fractional currency. |
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
 Here's the note |
|
New Member
United States
15 Posts |
well that note sold. It seems the fractional notes will be a good start price wise.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Rather than just buying anything comparatively inexpensive, it's generally a good idea to decide what you want to collect before starting off. For example, you could collect large or small notes by type (silver certificates, legal tenders, gold certificates, federal reserve notes, gold certificates, etc.) or you might collect one type of note in all denominations (say small federal reserve notes in $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100). You could also collect one example of each series year produced for a single denomination (say small silver certificates). There are many possibilities. Point being - collect, don't accumulate. to the CCF! Edited by Coinfrog
03/29/2021 6:18 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
2571 Posts |
Quote:
Point being - collect, don't accumulate.
I could not agree more with 'Coinfrog' since I was a bit of an "accumulator" who really just wanted something of everything. I was about 20 years into the hobby before I realized I could acquire a better set of notes with more finesse (scope & focus). Too often we focus on 'what' to collect rather than 'how' so it's a great question & I'd probably be even more cautious my 2nd time around. I sold all my $50 & a couple $100 notes I had and later sold a lot more of my VF or less notes two decades ago. While doing this, I focussed on filling gaps with better grades. Now I only collect $20 or lower so if I were starting US banknote collection, I'd be after small size $20 and below in denomination (starting with $1 & $2). I'd like to get some of the $1 'Funny backs' and be working at the tougher issues (read seal Twos). I'd be researching what was tough to get & learning how to grade b/c it is impossible to rely on other's opinions (& I'd be buying mostly non-TPG/raw notes). There are sites to swap notes (no need to always buy) & sites with far more info than I had 20 years ago. I believe that would be how I'd approach starting a US banknote collection. I have a few US notes up to $10 but they're part of my world collection. Each collector would approach it differently so you could get all sorts of different opinions here. 'hfjacinto' has a great thread on he approached his collection which would be interesting to check out. to CCF, good luck & enjoy! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4637 Posts |
A lot of what I like and collect can be attributed to notes I see posted from members of several paper money forums. I see some collectors with a narrow interest and it limits their numismatic knowledge. I like/collect just about everything, except Colonials, MPCs and Disney Dollars. Read and learn. Ask questions. Be patient and always remember, a butter knife can double as a flat-head screwdriver in an emergency.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
I'm a little like Steve, my collecting theme is to try and get a sample of US currency from Colonial times till about 1966, but I have very little interest in the more modern stuff and green seals (the Federal Reserve Notes we have now). So I only have Green Seals till the 1934 series (when they removed the Gold Clause), but I have Red Seals (US Notes) and Blue Seals (Silver Certificates) till they ended in the 50's and 60's. As for the large notes, that set is basically what is in my budget. I still have a few notes I want like a Continental and a few large notes and a $100 FRBN and several star notes (as I got bullied in the other thread  ) And believe me when I tell you that Steve and the other posters can post some serious eye candy, even if it wasn't on your list, they can make you need to add it. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
600 Posts |
I'm a big fan of fractional notes, and you can collect nice examples of many of them for under $100. I'm also a big fan of large size notes, but not many of those will be found for under $100. Everyone is different, but I think most collectors who continue with the hobby would eventually be unhappy and want to upgrade the 1917 $1 note you posted. Nothing wrong with spending only $35 on a note...I'm frugal and you can get a pretty darn nice funnyback for $35. However, I'd advise spending enough to at least get examples without tears and missing pieces and without heavy soiling. To add to coinfrog's recommendations, you could start with a single denomination (usually $1). hfjacinto has another thread where he collected a type set of $1 bills of the 20th century and most (but not all) of those banknotes are readily available at reasonable prices. It really depends on what floats your boat. I'm not into star notes or fancy serial numbers, but some folks collect those.
BTW, don't believe steveintampa. I'm pretty sure I saw he has one of the top graded sets of Disney dollars out there.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1748 Posts |
$1 small size silver certificates and $1 FRN's, IMO.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
235 Posts |
Keep in mind, IMO, by the nicest grade you can....much better than stacking 9 vg/f notes.
|
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 2,611 |
|
Posted 03/28/2021 11:13 pm
