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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,917 |
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Valued Member
United States
102 Posts |
Hey all,
Today I received a series 1985 $5 note, in change, after buying my morning coffee. Serial# E 71959003 C, from the Richmond Fed. It's in pretty rough shape, and has certainly seen it's share of travels.
I cannot even recall the last time I saw a small portrait note of any denomination (not counting $1's, or $2's, obviously, since they were never redesigned) in circulation. It has to be over 10 years ago, at least.
My question is not should I keep it or not, because I've already decided that I'm going to. Sure, it's a very common note (print run wise) it's not a star, and it's in rough shape, but I just don't see these, anymore.
My question is, for the folks here who work with a lot of cash on a daily basis (tellers, cashiers, and the like) exactly how common are these small portrait notes? I realize they may seem uncommon to somebody like myself, who does not work with cash, but, are a lot of them still floating around?
Just curious.
Thanks. Edited by jlg1130
04/07/2011 07:46 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Its funny you mention this. I hadn't really thought about it.
A week or two ago I also received an older $5 in change. Not being much of a currency guy I promptly brought it to the bank to exchange it for some Lincolns.
The teller (about 20 yrs old) looked at the bill then looked at me. He proceeded to walk over to his manager.
When he came back I asked if there was a problem. He had never seen a small portrait and thought it was a fake!
Made me laugh....
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Valued Member
United States
312 Posts |
I don't work with cash but do on occassion still see them in my change. I haven't looked them up but I assume there is barely a premium, if any, to buy one. I'd say it's the (more common) equivalent to finding a bicentennial quarter in your change. I always keep those, but they are really worth just 25 cents.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
642 Posts |
That's funny about the teller. Interesting how quickly things disappear. I see the small portrait from time to time as well. I'd say still pretty common but fading fast.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1713 Posts |
When I worked as a teller a few years ago. I'd get at least one small portrait every other day or so if not even daily in my tills.
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Valued Member
United States
176 Posts |
I'm a cashier at a gas station. I probably get 2-3 small portraits a day. I guess it can depend on the area. I would assume urban areas don't see much of the old style, where as in rural areas it's probably in a coffee jar on top of the fridge.
I used to change out every one that came in, but have ended up getting rid of most and only holding on to the ones that carry some sort of premium. Plus I wouldn't be able to afford to exchange for every one that comes my way.
One time I came in and the previous cashier had received a 1950 $20 and marked it all up with the counterfeit pen. He had never seen one before. Maybe because he was only 18 or so. But I can't believe a bank teller had never see one!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
^kinda blew me away that he had never seen one. It wnt as far as me having to explain to him that they did not have security strips or watermarks (way back when). Don't get me wrong I'm only forty...not like I remember silver certificates in circ. But come on I knw what they were when I was like ten...
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
jlg1130:
Unless you feel that the $5 note has real collector value, I would not bother with keeping it, because of the inflation rate over the long term. It really needs to be in top condition.
With the inflation at a moderate rate of 3.5% per year over the last 26 years, that note would have bought over $12 worth of goods in 2011 prices back in 1985.
Unless, of course, you want to keep it, just because you want to keep it. Even I have done that!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
60% of the $5s I get here (southeast PA) are the old style.
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Valued Member
 United States
102 Posts |
Thanks everybody, for your responses.
Just to be clear, I realize that this note probably has little, to no, collector value. I'm just keeping it because I think it's neat, and I haven't seen a small portrait note in a long, long time.
Plus, I prefer the design of the old notes, opposed to the newer ones.
The small portrait notes kind of remind me of my childhood, also. I remember every birthday, when I was a kid, my grandmother (god rest her soul) would always give me a card with a few small portrait $5's or $10's, inside. Of course, this was back when those were the current design.
Thanks again, all.
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Valued Member
United States
152 Posts |
^ I would keep it also they just dont surface anymore! everytime I run into a small face note I just hold on to them
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
I don't run into them often, I save them whenever I do unless they're in just awful condition.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,917 |
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Posted 04/07/2011 07:43 am
