2020 "Collector's Corner"
2020 Observations:
12/29/2020 Revisions to the BOC 1954 series page were completed today. In addition to this work I have also added an entry on buying world banknotes on my Money Market page.
12/26/2020 Revisions continue on the specifics of the 1954 Series page. I hope to complete these revision by the new year.
12/24/2020 I have just revised (added much more detail to how each denomination was issued) both the CDN 1935 Series and the 1937 Series. Please take a look and send me an email if you see a typo or other significant error. And I would like to wish all coin/paper money collectors out there a Merry Christmas (pleasant holidays) during this time of year!
12/19/2020 We are only 13 days from a new year and most of the people I know are eager to put 2020 behind them. Winter is traditionally the time collectors fatten up their binders with new additions to their collections. I believe this winter will be unlike any we've experienced so far as collectors since many of the typical sellers I have seen on eBay have either shut down or are taking a hiatus from selling. However, there also appears to be a resurgence in the hobby since many people are stuck at home with a lot more free time on their hands. This could cause the market for collectible paper to surge or become quite hot in demand (since more collectors but fewer active sellers). I have also seen countless posts on several forums where new collectors are wanting to know what a banknote (or coin) is worth. Many of these notes (& coins) come from a newly departed relative. So, in light of the many deaths the pandemic has caused, we may also see several estates go to auction.
12/12/2020 I have deleted the "Colnect" site link on my Notaphylic Sites page after much deliberation from the highly irregular/suspicious way I was treated & then considering much of the negative feedback from collectors at Numista. I have replaced it with a link to Collector's Universe forum on US & World Currency. I like the looks of this site (& its participants seem to be actual collectors). I'm not a big fan of one big collector's website after my experience with Colnect. I prefer sites dedicated to paper money collectors, or coins/paper money collectors (exclusively) but this one is run by PCGS so my faith is a little stronger. I believe (or perhaps hope) that there will be fewer scammers/oddballs on this site & that they will be flagged by the good people from PCGS. I also liked reading a post on "James Hughes: A Young Buck who loves Banknotes" (a clever 18 year old dealer from Berwyn, Pennsylvania) & have added a link to this article on Noteworthy Reads.
12/05/2020 Today's entry will be a short one as I try to carry out some much needed maintenance on this site. Please bear with me & I will contribute something more interesting next week! Take care & happy hunting!
11/28/2020 I want to wish my American collector friends a happy Thanksgiving despite the ongoing second wave of Covid-19. Hopefully, you and your loved ones remain healthy (& safe) and have a means to communicate with each other this year regardless of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Take care!
11/21/2020 A CCF/CPMF member contacted me yesterday & has requested that I make a "Top 5 Prefixes" or a similar list of recent CDN tough prefixes to collect. I think it's a great idea & will do it next week.
I have attempted a similar concept for top World Currency collectors so keep an eye out for. I have just posted a "Top 5 Colonies" to collect on the Money Market page. I have made this short list just to get the ball rolling. So far, I have only rarely seen any notes offered from these countries so please check the list out! If you feel like I have missed out on a colony (keep in mind I have yet to add top nations which will be newer series notes) then please contact me with your suggestion/explanation. I have avoided Canada, Australia, New Zealand (Mediterranean territories) and Hong Kong since these nations have always remained popular with a solid following.
11/14/2020 Please read my recent REDIT post on "To grade or not to grade" on my Social Media links page.
11/07/2020 I am going to keep today's entry short. I've written a lot already about how to invest wisely in a collection of world notes you can be proud of. My path has always been to buy some TPG banknotes for myself and to buy raw UNC banknotes either in lots or singles which have been discounted by trusted highly rated experienced sellers. The TPG notes which go into my private collection are still viewed as if they will be sold down the road. I am not a collector of grade rarities but do like to buy affordable Choice or Gem UNC. Occasionally I buy lower grades so long as they're designated EPQ (or Original) & I have rarely seen them come up for auction. I tend to make multiple purchases to save on postage/shipping. But with Covid-19 many of my overseas sellers have been forced to increase their postage/shipping to new highs. In situations such as these, each buyer has to think long & hard whether it is worth the steep price to ship (or wait till shipping issues sort themselves out). At the present time, I have really slowed down my purchases since the market seems quite hot/brisk with several newer collectors driving up the final bids. But I have not stopped entirely. Each day, each week & every auction brings new surprises. There's no point to be "either or" hot or cold towards owning a tough note. It is much more prudent to keep one's ear to the ground & react accordingly. Check out my Money Market page for my latest take on the situation.
10/31/2020 Happy Halloween folks. I hope your collecting is not as scary as tonight's event (albeit low key due to Covid-19 restrictions across the globe).
Speaking of scary: I have seen many requests from new collectors about where they can obtain "a lot of banknotes for super cheap." I get it. Honestly, I do & I myself continue to hunt for UNC CDN radars or short prefixes for FV. Where? At the local branches of my bank, in my change & wherever I can get cash (of course). Another option is to go to an exchange house for foreign currency (& ask if they have any fresh mint notes- most exchange house employees speak the lingo of coin collectors). Believe me, there's nothing like the thrill of finding a decent special serial number, a short prefix or other collectible banknote for FV. But remember you are getting new stuff, some of which may take years to appreciate (& most likely will sell for marginally more than FV). Sure, you can buy bulk lots of cheap foreign dealer stock. No one will stop you. However, it is not at all what I would encourage collectors of world banknotes to do. Why? Because I've done this myself & I can tell you that this cheap stuff will be tough to sell down the road. It's a sucker's game. When I started to collect world banknotes I sadly went down this path and wasted $50 - $100 USD on all sorts of cheap notes from Yugoslavia, Zambia & Vietnam & other nations. I remember seeing several nice UNC $1, $2 & $5 from 1980's Fiji priced around (or below BV) which I figured were too dear. Instead, I chose to stick to my cheap guns & continued to purchase cheap common crap which will never go up in BV. (This stuff won't go up in BV b/c dealers buy junk notes by the bundles & will always sell it lower than you can afford to sell it). It was partly because I was unsure of what to buy & kept convincing myself that this was a harmless path to pursue! I couldn't have been more wrong folks! Now, any time I search the same Fiji banknotes they are next to impossible to buy for the SCWPM for BV, let alone what I could have paid two years ago! Luckily, I eventually smartened up & changed my path from bargain buying binges to "smart selective acquisitions." I truly hope you will also follow suit. Ditch the "bargain cheapest buy" path! If you are wondering which nations are smart to acquire then scroll down to watch videos 3 & 4. I have put a lot of work into those & have commented again & again in the posts below what to buy and what to avoid. Remember always aim for quality over quantity (buy less in as high a grade as you can afford). Stay away from Zero Euros, hyperinflation, JIM (Japanese Invasion Money), Notgeld & cheap unpopular nations unless this is your specialty & you don't care whether you will take a loss in your purchases (& are stuck with this stuff down the road). There are some exceptions to any guidepost I recommend & I suggest you buy bulk ONLY if you know (or have an arrangement) how to sell the same to collectors who would commit to buy these acquisitions (for example, radars, short prefixes or change-overs). Stick to UNC (or high grade) popular nations and try to acquire 20+ year old series unless you know you're getting a special serial number, change-over, signature or shortened newer series. It takes due diligence to get the most bang for your buck. Do your homework. I can only help by making suggestions.
10/24/2020 I have followed many auctions on eBay and haven't committed on most. The few I have placed bids on have had last minute bids that shot the the final price way north of what I expected. I now suspect that there's just a large number of new collectors (& perhaps a lot of CERB money) so that the market is too hot. See Money Market for my latest observations.
10/17/2020 There has been much activity on my favourite 2 forums (Numista & CCF). Each site seems to be growing with more and more new members. I love it! However much you want to start collecting, I still hope to urge new collectors to start educating themselves. It costs nothing to lurk on these forums but it's an even better practice to register and participate. I know I wrote this advice over a year ago when I started up this site and nothing really has changed in this regard. There are a lot of new collectors who may get the bug (of collecting) hard and then go on a hoarding binge. I don't want to confuse, nor mix up the terms "collecting" with "hoarding." I have nothing against "hoarding" per se, since my own father did this. It can be fun and possibly rewarding (by finding something uncommon amongst those large bulk bags of coins). And everyone has to start out somewhere. So long as you're not bothering the ones you live with by taking up space with your hoard then have fun. However, I do urge hoarders to reconsider the idea of collecting (& use their excess coins/circulated notes to trade up or purchase more collectible specimens). I used several of my old circulated 1954 banknotes to purchase better quality (or scarcer prefixes) decades ago. I have no regrets because the chances of me trading a scarce test prefix (E/R; G/R; N/R or S/R $2) were next to nil. I may have traded away a change-over but still fairly unlikely. [You see, I started trading my older circulated banknotes before I got a Charlton so I was swapping "blindly."] But I knew the difference between a Modified and Devil's Face (and asterisks replacements). My point is that what I ended up doing was upgrading and upgrading fast (not waiting for others to seek change-overs or better grades). Now that this has happened, I'm satisfied with my goal to seek better quality/scarcer notes.
10/10/2020 It has been fun to see all the posts on Instagram, Reddit & forums like CCF or Numista on banknotes lately. It appears as if many more people are adopting the hobby of collecting coins (& some for collecting a few banknotes). I sure hope to see this trend continue. Remember folks, if you're just getting into collecting (anything actually) then be sure to educate yourself so you know a little more about what you're getting yourself into (exactly). The more knowledge you have the better. Remember to check out the pages on other Notaphylic Sites & the Money Market for buying new banknotes.
10/03/2020 As I peruse other forums, social media (FB & Reddit) I often see new collectors discovering the hobby of collecting coins & banknotes. Two questions seem to be very common: what should they collect & how should they get coins/banknotes? Often they are told to collect whatever they like. In part, I agree with that especially now that there are online platforms in which they can resell parts of their collection which deviates from their primary interests. However, I think that the average collector would find more satisfaction (& waste less money/time) if they set some simple/achievable goals from the start*. The goal-setting is rarely done because it may be a job (exposure to a lot of cash) or a big coin jar (change tossed into for the past 5 years) that got them in the hobby. See the problem? We often get into collecting via the source of coins/banknotes (rather than source what we actually want to keep). The reason I write this is because the source (exposure to low-paying cash service jobs) was what got me into paper money & I have caught myself hanging onto some ragged notes (old finds) for sentimental reasons! I have also spent loads of time (& money) listing most of the old original collection to upgrade to more collectible banknotes. I have done less & less of this in the past because I now toss 99% of what I come across back back into the wild. I buy far less & keep more selectively. In fact, my criteria of what I will keep continues to get more eclectic. That is why you will often hear the "old-timers" urging "newbies" caution when getting deeper (more serious) about this hobby (for either coins or banknotes). They will urge you to buy the best you can afford (& avoid being type set collector unless you can afford to be one). So when it comes to source: first buy from another collector or online (auction or BIN) and remember this should be your 2nd priority (not your first).
If you are buying to sell (like a dealer) than you can afford to be a bit less choosy (about what you buy) but remember only to buy UNC or near UNC because high grades still sell during rough economic spells (unless the item is so rare it doesn't really matter). But you still want to focus more on popular items than obscure items (unless you absolutely know there is a buyer out there willing to buy that obscure item!) Once you've been collecting for a while you will come to identify items where popularity (or condition) will not be such a huge factor. Use your discretion wisely! BTW: I do urge all collectors to think more like dealers (& less like collectors) for the sheer discipline thinking like a dealer entails. It's a good practice not to get too caught up (emotionally) about the rarity (nor the beauty) of any particular item (& consider it's resale potential). I know this is a challenge for most of us but please try (& avoid those pressed low # Devil's Face which are listed for a fortune LOL). If it's flawed wait till another example comes available. There's no rush to buy.
*What do I mean by setting a goal in collecting? I have seen posts on sites like Colnect & Numista which members compete for the highest # of nations (with either coins or banknotes) & I would suggest this NOT be a collector's goal. The reason is that collectors tend to buy circulated or bulk dealer stock (& collecting should not be a #'s game/it's not hoarding). A goal should have specific eras, set region(s) or # of countries & denominations to collect. For example, I will collect all 1950-1980 British Commonwealth countries starting with A, B, C nations (Australia-Cayman) and not go higher than 5 Dollars (or 5 Pounds). Or you could be interested in Special numbers from _____ countries; Nobel Laureates; specific designs, polymers, etc. I cannot define the goal for you but only give you a couple examples.
09/26/2020 Shortly after I wrote last week's post I visited the Canadian Paper Money Forum & discovered that I have a $50 GME prefix with the Wilkins-Macklem signature combination. Now any collector who finds a GME $50 with that signature is urged to enter (& report on the above link) what serial number & signature they have so a change-over point can be determined. To those looking for the first Wilkins-Maclem $50 GME, happy hunting!
09/19/2020 The BOC (Bank of Canada) announced that their Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins will not be seeking a 2nd term this spring. See the article here. This means there could be 2 signature combinations to expect in upcoming BOC banknotes (Wilkins-Macklem & ___?___ - Macklem) on upcoming prefixes. If you have watched any of my videos, than you know that these changes present opportunities of change-over (or short) prefixes (with the old & new signature plates). Also, Canadians will be expecting a new $5 but there is speculation that this event may be delayed (2021 at the earliest) with COVID-19.
See my new comment started with a bullet "Remember" on how it is easy to lose sight of the fact that collecting world banknotes is a relatively new hobby (especially supported by Internet FORUM exposure, expanding market demand & growing worldwide interest). It is easy to think it's just a passing fad (or that cash will become obsolete, etc) but the reality is quite the opposite.
Finally, I would just like to thank all those collectors who have stopped by (or who have visited or watched a few of my videos on Notaphilyc's Youtube channel). I have added a pleasant announcement (copied screenshot) above for increased traffic. Thanks to all those who LIKED or Subscribed! Please feel free to SHARE (unabashed self-promotion ; - )!
09/12/2020 It's been a busy week as many people head back to school (or let's just say the world is trying to get back to a 'new normal'). As you know, I have posted video 7 below, and some of you have given me some great (constructive) feedback on how to improve it (slow it down/less busy). I have posted announcements on CPMF, Numista & CCF. I will make a note of the helpful feedback & use the suggestions for Video 8. Thanks again to 'AL-Bob,' 'BluHawk,' Scopru' & 'CelticKnot.'
'CelticKnot's' gave me permission to share his approach to collecting World banknotes (first posted on CCF)
"My first foreign note purchase was the Zimbabwe $100T note. I didn't have the intention to start collecting world notes at that time; I just thought that note was cool. I think I paid $15 US or less for it -- obviously before the craze hit and they started going for $100-$200, a price I wouldn't even consider paying. Then I decided to collect all the hyperinflation $Z notes (I have a complete set minus the $10k P-72 note). Then I decided to fill in as many $Z notes as I could from P-1 to P-98. I have a pretty solid collection except for the hard-to-find bearer's, traveller's, and emergency checques; also some of the more scarce P-1 through P-4 notes.
After that is when I really kicked into inexpensive world notes. I went on a buying spree one night on one of the more prolific ebay seller's stores and bought around 150 or so notes, and many were sets so I was getting 5-10 notes at less than $1/note. I started focusing on Yugoslavia notes (again due to the attractiveness of all those zeros on the hyperinflation notes), then, like Zimbabwe, I decided to collect as many Yugoslavia notes as I could.
I am still filling in Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe notes as I find them for reasonable prices and I've bought a few more large bundles of inexpensive notes.
Now, I'm becoming more selective and spending a bit more on fewer notes."
I think one of the wonderful things about this hobby is that each collector will formulate his/her own approach to what he/she collects. Whether it be hyperinflation notes, commemoratives, Queen Elizabeth II, the African continent, or banknotes featuring Nobel Laureates, find out what you want to acquire (& stick with it). Also, as a side note, every once in a while a collector, like "CelticKnot" picks up on an item which becomes HOT like the $100 Trillion banknote from Zimbabwe. This is another fun perk about collecting coins or paper money.
Remember, people have been collecting stuff for thousands of years. That's never changed & it's unlikely it ever will. What has changed is how/what people collect, exchange & participate in the hobby. When I started collecting 44 years ago, I found no catalogue & never saw anyone sell a banknote before (nor coins for that matter, but then again I lived in a small town with no coin shops!) Then, Sears had a little section selling coins/supplies. Later, I found a Charlton catalogue (1980's I believe) which I would read (& photocopy) in our local library. My point is that the media that covers this hobby has expanded. Sales (particularly online) have expanded exponentially. Sure, brick & mortar shops may be closing, but the ones who've survived the rise of online commerce are still around. Collecting one's own nation's banknotes is relatively new. Collecting other nations (World currency) is even more recent (as a formally recognized hobby).
09/05/2020 YES! It's been ONE YEAR since I launched this site. And what a year it has been! Actually, it's been more then 1 year, but I've been busy with lots of other stuff & haven't had the time to wrap up my latest video until recently. Simply put folks: it is a summary of what I've learned this past year. I sure hope you take the 6 minutes to watch, enjoy/like (comment) & subscribe (if you feel so inclined). I am also going to archive my older observations fairly soon so I will skip adding any comments for now.
08/29/2020 I have updated my MONEY MARKET page to reflect some additional auction platforms I have discovered over the past week. I am not allowed to use Catawiki (no service to Canada) but I'm being urged to complete registration? Odd site there but if you live in an area where it is accessible, then it may be a good venue to use. I am still finishing up the final touches to my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY video (7th edition hosted on Youtube) so stay tuned (should be available tomorrow). It is so hard to believe I have been adding to this site for a full year. Remember, if you'd like to see my observations from last August (2019), then check out the ARCHIVED "Collector's Corner" link.
08/22/2020 Next week I will have my 7th video posted for anyone who's interested. Once again, I will be providing more tips on where/how/when to buy UNC World banknotes. I have not seen the market for world banknotes weaken but keep in mind that supply seems limited (many former sellers have closed shop). I encourage collectors to seek alternative venues: Catawiki (currently unavailable to some countries), eBid, Green Apple Auctions or whatever works for them. Remember also to sell too (doubles/banknotes which don't fit your criteria).
08/15/2020 I have been busy (as it seems most new collectors to the hobby have been ; - ) & keep revising this site including a new Social Media Links page. Good to see so much new interest in coins & banknotes. YEAH! See the 2nd video I posted below.
08/08/2020 I submitted 50 banknotes to Banknote Certification Services (BCS) for grading. As usual, the service was topnotch (& inexpensive). With tax, return postage, insurance & an extra binder it worked out to $11CDN/note. I drove to his office at Colonial Acres Coins late July & he sent the notes back about 10 days later (very quick). The notes were well packed, in 2 binders with 10 extra pages inserted in an extra binder I purchased (always so generous). All the notes were UNC or AU which was no surprise as I either picked them out of a brick, bundle or purchased them UNC. The one biggest disappointment was a 1954 Devil's Face $5 (Coyne-Towers) which was won (listed as UNC & auctioned off) from the dubious Auction Network. I know there are still many purist out there (who prefer raw ungraded banknotes over TPG) but I now wish I BID only on TPG notes when bidding on that network's items (they rarely grade accurately). I won this note over 2 years ago (in a moment of weakness) & regret paying near "UNC" price for an "AU" note. So bottom line- beware of ungraded (RAW) banknotes & online auctions. For the pricey banknotes stick to TPG. As a Canadian collector, I highly recommend BCS but be warned that they are ULTRA conservative (so you may not like the grade your note receives). Out of 50 banknotes I may have received 1 or 2 "UNC-66 'Original'" & 80% of these notes were handpicked fresh from bricks. Of over 200 banknotes I have submitted with them I have never received a higher grade than UNC-66. Now think of all the PMG UNC-67, UNC-68, UNC-69 & UNC-70 *'s you've seen! (Yes, PMG may be quite liberal but now think of the discrepancies between realized prices & how PMG can charge $20USD per note minimum).
In two weeks it will be the first year anniversary of Notaphilyc Culture & I will add another video to celebrate. Please see Money Market for my latest update!
08/01/2020 I quit Colnect! When I joined they asked me to identify myself (because I joined using this email address & identified myself as "Notaphylic Culture.") Fair enough, so I did just that. I wrote an email giving them my name and thought nothing more on it. Then just last week I got another email from the same "Administrator" claiming that he needed me to scan government documents & verify my identity once again "due to suspicious activity." However, I have only contributed to Colnect (on their Forum asking about Pre-Euro banknotes & on their wiki - on banknote collecting). So folks, my advice to you (if you're thinking about starting or engaging in a forum) is to be very vigilant of your's (& mindful of others') privacy. I don't care if the administrator is Bill Gates (himself) I have no desire to divulge government issued ID unless it is absolutely necessary (like with the police knocking at my door!) Always err on the side of caution.
I also got my swap (Euro banknotes) from an Italian friend. He sent his generous package to me around the 3rd week of April and it did not arrive till July 31st (13 weeks) so we were both very relieved when it arrived. I really like swapping but warn you (that if you're about to try it) to be super patient. Okay folks, happy hunting (for your next banknote acquisition -that is)!
07/25/2020 I have been watching the number of registered members on some of my favourite Forums (like CPMF ; CCF & Numista) and the numbers seem to be UP. I also went to BCS to get another set of banknotes graded & there was a line up outside Colonial Acres Coins . So I have no doubt that there has been a large number of new collectors joining our ranks. With this phenomenon I am certain that the market for coins/banknotes remains brisk.
07/18/2020 What would you do if you found countless $20 bills floating in the breeze on the middle of a busy road? Would you pull over and try to snag a few? Or would you just drive away? That was the dilemma I was faced with last Friday. I was the only person who pulled over on a slower side street and went back to the intersection to snap up as much moola as I could. But I had to be careful as traffic seemed to be oblivious of the "windfall." After stuffing several Twenties in my front pocket, panting from the exertion and wariness I needed to stay alive, I got stuck in the middle of the road, perched on a narrow concrete median. A kind lady slowed down and hollered that my wallet was just a few yards to the right. I cautiously crossed back to the pedestrian sidewalk and found the wallet (after waiting for more cars to pass). This old worn wallet became a heavy weight of burden on my conscience. We went to finish our errand and returned to the intersection where the money was first spotted. At a red light, while waiting for a green, another green Twenty floated by. I told my wife I was going to park at a nearby plaza and try to hunt down that note. After parking, I saw it float further away in the strong breeze (aided by passing cars). I tried to chase it down but lost sight of it on the far side of the road. As I crossed back, to return to my car, I noticed a bank card & another Twenty on the intersection. I looked around further but saw nothing. Now I knew I had to return the wallet, the ATM card and all of the 10 bills ($200) I had scooped up. Naturally, I checked the serial numbers and even more naturally- none of them were anything special to keep. Both my wife and I searched the wallet and found only the license and Health Card as a source of ID. Finally, she found 1 of his business cards and she called him up. He was so grateful for returning it he offered me a reward (which I refused). I was happy to have helped him out but saddened by the knowledge that he still had lost $300 (he had just taken $500 out of the bank to pay his rent).
07/11/2020 Still failing to get the gist of IG but enjoying viewing other poster's collections. I also have been participating in Numista's Forums more regularly & have 100 posts! I have read a lot about "half crowns" and coins from New Zealand. There are some very knowledgable collectors out there. The information on the years that the mint struck a particular design is very interesting (& the years in which changes occurred over changes in monarchy). But I encourage anyone who's hesitant (or holding back) to join one of these forums to reconsider/& join one of the ones I have listed on my Sites & Forums page. Registration is FREE Folks! Only recently there was a thread on Numista about leaving Colnect & while I understand how some members form a certain loyalty towards one site (over another) I think each site can be a great source of reference. I suppose that some may have had a bad experience (& have their reasons) but for the average collector, I hope you will tap into one or two forums out there. For example, I was perusing Colnect last week and discovered that their wiki on "Collecting Banknotes" was incomplete: so I gave it a shot! I am a firm believer that being active in the hobby means more than just searching coin rolls, going to the bank or purchasing coins/banknotes online.
07/04/2020 Happy 4th of July to my family and friends south of the border (in the great ol' US of A). Hope everyone has a great day & practices some kind of social distancing in light of the pandemic. I joined Instagram on May 26th & I'm still scratching my head on it's purpose. i see a lot of members just keep their nation's uncirculated notes & likely are scoring some UNC examples from their banks (or exchange outlets). That looks like the long & short of it (though there are some collectors on the social platform too). Maybe there's someone out there who can explain it to me some day. It seems like a FB playground for those who love to be a shutterbug with their phones. My phone is a bit archaic and I guess that's the problem (as my app has yet to upload an image). I have tried to upload images with the phone - but so far it has not worked. So I guess I'll spin my wheels on that.
06/27/2020 I have removed the WORLD QUIZ from this page and moved it to another section of this site. You can take it here. Folks, I'm somewhat "hot & cold" about buying more select world currency. You can read why here on WORLD MARKET
06/20/2020 It's been another week & I'm still preparing my questions for the next interview, still perusing the many forums & learning about US banknotes on "Barryg's" interesting site (from CCF) . The post came from a topic on whether currency is a rich man's hobby. Feel free to take a look!
06/14/2020 So you've seen my quiz. Have you taken it? I hope you do. It might surprise you. And, yes, I've been busy (creating this collector's strategy quiz, arranging interviews & still revising/fixing this site as the weeks go on). Once again, I find myself answering forum posts on "Collecting/Investing?" and "The Cashless Society." I don't think I have all the answers by any stretch of the imagination. Nowhere near it: but I'm not convinced that people will stop collecting something just because countries produce less. In fact, my guess, is that the opposite may occur. When something becomes scarce people often take note (excuse the pun) & see the note/coin's value/greater worth (due to scarcity). I have also been asking on many forums if anyone has opinions on what countries, series, etc one might collect from pre-Euro nations. Speaking of Euros, has any one seen the movie "The Great Hack?" Quite compelling documentary on those behind the Facebook - Cambridge Analytica data scandal. These are similar to the folks mining our data when we make online/credit purchases.
06/06/2020 I added an article on the Top Ten Most expensive world currencies. Not sure how accurate the article is but it was created by Forex which focuses solely on national economic trends. Take the link to see the 10 weakest currencies.
06/01/2020 I have just added another "Noteworthy Reads" on the new 2 Pound coin written by Adam Williams from "The Telegraph."
05/30/2020 The "big interview" is now complete! I have a few of "Phil Note's" images from his trophy collection. Take the above link to read my 1st interview with one of Canada's topnotch collectors.
STAY TUNED folks for more interviews & thanks again to Phil Notes (for his time) & to Sheldon Pimentel (IG: CANADIAN_BANKNOTES) for his suggestion & excellent questions!
05/26/2020 Joined IG & linked this Notaphilyc site to Instagram. I still can't seem to upload images from my camera but I do hope to get more connections via other social media outlets in the near future. I have taken CANADIAN_BANKNOTES advice and hope to interview a collector who has some rare banknotes. He has already agreed & I will post the interview as soon as it has been completed.
Spotted this Google link on "Two 50 Rials" from Iran. Scroll below for an image of a Shah banknote before the revolution and overprint was placed over the Shah's image. I really like both these banknotes (non-overprint & overprint) & am expecting a few which I had purchased a month ago (but have been held up in the postal system due to COVID19). I can see these notes taking off in BV soon!
May 23rd 2020: First I want to shout out a big "thank you" to "Canadian Banknotes" from CPMF & CCF. In a post under Canadian Paper Money, he complimented my videos and this site. He also enquired about interviews with accomplished CDN collectors & I could not think of any Youtube videos (or even press interviews) to fit the bill. This got me thinking about how to arrange an interview with a CDN collector of trophy notes so please keep tuned into this site. I really do hope I can arrange something & appreciate his (& other collector's) input on my site. Some collectors have told me that they don't understand my videos. I will not apologize because the videos cost you nothing to watch (& you can always replay the video or visit this site for more info).
I have also added some images and a few links to my Notable Terms page. It is important to look at this site as supplemental information for my videos on collecting below. My aim will always be to help collectors become more knowledgable & to make the information accessible. I know there may be times where I take some facts for granted so I do appreciate comments both encouraging and less so.
May 18th 2020: Over the past week, I added a few more websites under the "Reference" section of Notaphylic Sites. Please take a look. I have had some great correspondence with a knowledgable forum referee on Numista & recent email updates from Colnect:
"Did you take a look at Colnect’s features already? On Colnect you can mark items you already own to track the progress of your collection. Also, you can add items in the swap and wish lists to show other Colnectors which items you want to trade or acquire."
After navigating the catalog and finding the item you want to add to any of your lists, click on the checkbox of the list under the item."
The "jury is out" regarding the success/ease of swapping (to attain banknotes) but I love the idea (in theory). I have also arranged great swaps with other collectors so it's not new to me. I also welcome the comments & input from other collectors. Please keep the correspondence coming (& I will answer back- always)!
May 9th 2020: Over the past week I periodically checked into my site to finish some of the pages I started nearly a year ago on Canadian paper money. This came out of guilt for I have often found myself busy contributing to the catalogue at Numista. Once I registered with this site (only a week ago) I was immediately drawn into their emerging catalogue project and the option to swap banknotes with fellow members. Normally, I'm not a big fan of swapping but I do have a swap in the works with an Italian collector & I do hope that I can make more swaps in the future. I think they're a terrific means to acquire notes (& I tried my luck several times on CPMF with positive results). I will report on how my swaps turn out next week (when hopefully they'll have arrived). It took 10 weeks for a package to arrive from Turkey (to Canada) so I know the transit time of this swap (& recent eBay purchases) probably will take more time than usual (due to lowered staffing as a result of the pandemic). It can make for tense times when one wonders which camel the package got lost on (LOL). I actually bought a GB 10 Pound banknote from a seller in Singapore and later discovered he had not posted it until 2 weeks after I paid for it (which was quite disappointing to discover). But, of course, it is what it is, and we all must try to be extra patient during these difficult times. We can only hope that CDN/US governments have learned some hard lessons (from being so tentative, slow & lackadaisical in their initial response to this pandemic).
May 2nd 2020: The Bank of Canada announced that Tiff Macklem will be the next governor of the BOC. He was short-listed and in the end
"The Directors of the Bank of Canada, appointed under Section 9 of the Bank of Canada Act, today announced that they have appointed Tiff Macklem as Governor of the Bank of Canada for a seven-year term, effective 3 June 2020. Mr. Macklem will succeed Stephen S. Poloz, who is leaving the Bank of Canada on 2 June 2020."
The Canadian Dollar then took a hit after Macklem announced that there were several tools that the BOC may use to ensure the brisk flow of credit & negative interest rates couldn't be ruled out as one of them. Some financial analysts argued that Macklem considered negative interest rates as the least desirable option but that didn't stop the market from perceiving him to be a champion of this unpopular strategy. Nevertheless, with Canadian provincial and federal pledges to pump billions of dollars into COVID19 relief such shelters as gold and bitcoin keep climbing upwards.
Today, I added 4 sites to the Notaphilyc Sites page. I saw a FB poster create a video that featured a catalogue hosted by Numista. I looked over (& registered) on the Numista site and then started to explore some of their reference links. I joined RealBanknotes years ago but forgot my password (& hence lost track of using the site) as was the case with World Banknote Gallery. Some sites can lose their appeal if they're inactive (or mostly the realm of coin collectors). Colnect looks extensive & promising & I may register with them too (although I will need a separate document just to keep track of my mounting registration/memberships!)
April 25th 2020: I have made some necessary changes to this website but see that many more revisions are required. The biggest change is that I have removed the "Tips on Buying/Tips on Selling" section below to a separate page entitled MONEY MARKET. I will try to make contributions to the MONEY MARKET pages as time goes by (since the market for collectible banknotes does change over time). In fact, I noticed that many of my posts have focussed just on market conditions (since the pandemic) and I believed it became rather one-sided. To remove this section made sense as this "Collector's Corner" is a large enough page with all current updates on this "RECENT OBSERVATIONS" section followed by the videos below. BTW: I am working/preparing my 7th video which I hope to have completed by the end of May (so stay tuned!)
April 18th 2020: I am going to make a prediction here because I have been waiting 6 weeks for a package from Europe to arrive. Postal services have slowed to a crawl due to the COVID 19 pandemic. My prediction is: it is going to be tough to buy World banknotes from international sellers for a while & with the market shrinking banknotes may become harder to buy. Already, I have seen fewer TAsL (True Auction style Listings) as compared to the ubiquitous BIN (Buy it Now) listings. [In earlier entries I have noted how rarer/less common TAsL banknotes are actually commanding high prices at the moment/& this phenomenon continues] If the world banknote market shrinks, all collectible (UNC) world currency should become a GOOD investment. However, what may mitigate their popularity as a means of investment, could be the difficulty selling (& sending via the shaky postal services). A world recession (or worse) seems to be looming. The one fact nobody can ignore is that most national economies are contracting (world markets are shrinking). While things may bounce back once the pandemic death tolls begin to ease, it is unlikely things will ever be quite the same.
Having said that: I cannot see how buying world banknotes can be a bad investment (the minor downside- is you need a platform to sell them down the road). On CCF some collectors have been bringing up the prospect of eBay bulk buys. And with so much time on our hands (as we're urged to stay indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic) many more people are discovering this hobby. For the most part, I am in favour of buying lots (or sets) because I can see myself selling extra notes (like I do here) down the road. However, it is not for everyone (& use this advice with extra discretion). I don't recommend buying circulated or mixed lots which contain warnings that "the notes may differ from those shown in the photo." On the whole, most of these mixed lots of banknotes consists of cheap dealer-stock & are a waste of money! As I have said, countless times in the Notaphilyc Culture series of videos below, "buy banknotes from specific nations" because they're popular. Why some countries will remain popular (while others won't) I will not speculate on. It may be due to historical runs of hyperinflation, dodgy regimes, or other factors. But "trends are trends" & some nations hold strong appeal while others do not. It's just the way it is. If you really want to see some amusing posts on the subject, then I suggest you join one of the many Facebook Groups (on World banknotes) and you will start to understand what I mean. The important thing for you (my fellow collector) is to develop is a sense to sniff out the "winners" (banknotes which are popular to collect) from the "losers" (stock dealers hope to dump) & avoid the latter. I have actually identified some of the stock that sees very little promise from the issues that only increase in popularity as time rushes by in the videos I posted below. I apologize to readers who find this post redundant.
April 11th 2020: I have enjoyed taking my own advice (use PMG's Population Reports) which I rarely did in the past (simply because I had so few PMG TPG notes). I confess to have been far more partial to the grading standards of Banknote Certification Services but they tend to be a little overzealous to find fault with UNC notes & they don't cover the large range of banknotes slabbed by Paper Money Guarantee. I think that PMG's World Paper Money Price Guide is a handy link to have (for those lacking a copy of the SWPMC. For example, take this link, if you want to see the price of a Bahamas 1953 4 schilling note. The only thing lacking with the actual price guide link (naturally) is a more up-to-date approach to pricing. This can be found using the eBay links provided. However don't be surprised to find quite a disparity between the SWPMC BV estimate & the real price seen (or reached) for the less common varieties (13a & 13c are much less common than 13b &13d 1953 4 schilling varieties).
April 4th 2020: I have just added another PMG article which you can read by taking the Noteworthy Reads link. It reviews hammer prices from recent auctions and claims that rare paper money remains a stable investment during the recent pandemic crises.
March 29th 2020: An enterprising banknote collector from a Canadian Facebook group suggested we take stock of our collections and record what we have on an Excel spreadsheet. I praised her suggestion and the two "Shirley Temple" 1935 Twenty Dollar banknotes pictured on her FB post. If collectors are enjoying cataloging their collections during these trying times- I'm happy to hear it. I still believe this should be a fairly decent "window of opportunity" to buy new notes on eBay although I have seen several sellers shut-down their listings. This window of opportunity may not last very long (partly because of the pandemic and partly because of the type of stock sellers will be able to offer during wild market fluctuations). Serious collectors know this is the time to buy (so as long as you are aware that you may be up against some other serious bidders, "buyer beware").
As I have posted (repeatedly) earlier, this pandemic will have serious consequences economically, globally and culturally. I tend to believe Governor Cuomo's predictions that this will last months (there will be second waves of infections). I vehemently dislike "Doom & Gloomers" who cast a pall with their frightful doomsday scenarios of what's to come. I seriously hope I don't find myself following their footsteps since no one likes changes or adapting to worse case scenarios. However, we do have to face news reports that are "changing hourly." Previously indebted governments (who slashed social programs) are suddenly printing money/creating huge deficits in an effort to dig us out of this mess. There is absolutely no way that this won't impact future government's options in how they can deal with future crises. Let us not forget that global warming via climate change is still a very real threat and requires serious interventions. So, in the meantime, we make our adjustments and as the Brits say, "keep calm & carry on."
March 23rd 2020: I have archived 2019 entries to prevent this section from sprawling beyond necessity.
March 22nd 2020: What a crazy week it has been! Seldom have we seen so few cars on the road. People are finally obeying medical authorities recommendations to practice "social distancing." This means that people are going out less while staying further apart from each other. We don't see hand-shaking (during introductions/farewells) like we used to. We have not seen so many businesses shut down like this before. Mostly it is hospitality/services (like restaurants, cinemas, bars) which have been greatly impacted. The new reality of this pandemic is all very new and will take some time to adjust to. Everyday on the news we are reminded of the frightening statistics & strategies to "flatten the curve" of rising COVID 19 cases. I cannot help but sense a higher anxiety level amongst people when I go out in public these days. Yesterday, while parked outside a grocery store, a vehicle sped by our parking spot to park one spot next and ahead of us. The driver went too fast (& only a matter of inches from our passenger door). I was so thankful my wife paused (not opening her door/nor walking into this jerk's speeding grill). When we both got out of our cars, the reckless driver hurried into the store (undoubtedly in search of toilet paper). Such impulsive (intense) behaviour is hard for me to witness but at least the store shelves were re-stocked and most of the other shoppers seemed well-behaved (ie: not stockpiling). News outlets report that China is "recovering/returning to normal" but many experts predict a "second wave" of infections (from outside the country). Over 200,000 cases have been reported & it will take a long period of time to adjust back to some kind of "normal."
So how has all of the global pandemic affected the collector? I have no doubt many of us are "closing up shop" or at least stepping it down a notch. With the news reminding us daily of the serious impact on the global economy, no one is immune to the affects of this pandemic. As I predicted in the past 2 weeks, eBay sales (of tougher notes) seems to have contracted (to fewer auction style listings of tough notes) and the prices of these fewer items remain at (or near) Book Value. It is simply a matter of lower supply & concentrated demand. As the supply (of truly tough notes) has shrunk demand has merely shifted focus on these remaining items. To illustrate my point, I had my eye on a P1p (5 Euro with the Duisenberg signature) issued from the Netherlands but the printer code was "F" indicating it was printed in Austria. Tables from EuroBillTracker showed approximately 300,000 notes reported from this printer (These are total notes from Trichet & Dragio signatures too suggesting a pretty tough note!)* so my bid (of around $35 US) was quickly surpassed by much higher bids ($51 winner). SWCPM has the P1p at $10USD but we all know you cannot purchase a UNC Duisenberg 5 Euro for so little (even the most common "X"German examples are double BV -Book Value). This example happened to be PMG UNC-67 EPQ (superb Gem) so I'm sure the $50USD was a fair price. * If you look at the tables from EuroBillTracker, you can see that just over 1,000,000 of the "P" prefix (5 Euros) have been reported from the G printer (Enschede, Netherlands). Now you may wonder, could this buyer turn around and sell his/her super gem uncommon P-1p (5 Euro) for $51 USD? Maybe, or maybe not at this time. We are experiencing a pandemic so I cannot imagine the market being too hot/bothered by this 5 Euro banknote. However, when things do recover (& as more accurate information about Euro banknotes' printers/provenance becomes more available) I am sure that this person will recover (& possibly do well) from this investment.
March 17th 2020: It is Saint Patrick's Day (so happy St. Paddie's Day to my Irish friends & those who like to be Irish during these days). Meanwhile, the premier of Ontario (Doug Ford) issued a state of emergency for the people of Ontario. This means many places are forced to close (until further notice). Ford wanted to dodge questions re: the negative impact on Ontario's economy (& what type of Federal/provincial assistance might be provided). Most government services have been shut down and I'm sure it will be only a matter of time before grocery stores and other retail businesses will follow suit. Even Premier Ford himself had to admit that our current state of affairs in Ontario was on an "hour-by-hour" notice (for further closures). This came after the media questioned why his government waited till today (Tuesday 17th) to declare a state of emergency rather than yesterday (16th) when confirmed cases of COVID-19 had spiked more than 50% in one day. Once again, I think we must look to Italy and the governor of New York State for further guidance. The governor suggested it will be "months" before things "return to normal" on "60 Minutes" but at least his state is proactive in follow-up testing for anyone who was in contact with confirmed COVID-19 individuals. As stated in my Sunday (03/15) entry below, northern Italy's hospitals were overwhelmed by infected individuals who required respirators. The governor of New York reacted quickly and intelligently to this fact in a bid to flatten the line (# of confirmed cases who could overwhelm their ER services) while everyone else has been playing "catch up."
What does this mean for the hobbyist (of coins or paper money)? Really if you've got time off work (or extra time on your hands) than I should think you may want to take stock in your collection. Now is the time to take inventory, scan or catalogue your collection. Is your collection stored in proper mylar sleeves (or holders)? Why not set new goals (to acquire this or that)? Perhaps you might want to peruse the internet and do some research? Remember to check out some of the interesting sites I've listed on Sites & Forums. Just try to make the best of your time (with an amusing diversion here and there!)
March 15th 2020: Okay NOW it's a pandemic (sorry if I made this claim too soon!) The tragic events that hit Italy are coming to light. Clearly, COVID 19 swept through this country faster than the health care system could assist those afflicted by it. A lack of respirators put doctors into a terrible dilemma (who to help/let live and who to let die without the needed breathing apparatus). These hard sobering lessons were not lost on the governor of New York State who began designating "Containment" areas north of NYC and initiating testing of suspected cases. President Trump declared a national state of emergency. Now that the outbreak has finally reached "pandemic" status globally, Ontario and other provinces have begun to shut down public services including colleges and universities. The Minister of Education declared that public schools would be closed for an additional 2 weeks after March break (re-opening April 6th). Many cities across the globe have witnessed shoppers stockpiling and hoarding water, toilet paper and other essentials (effectively emptying store shelves).
So how will this pandemic affect the stock market, gold & collecting banknotes? It's no surprise that the stock market will take a beating. Gold, which traditionally soars during global crises shot up to record highs but has since stabilized. Well, as noted in my previous entry (March 8th below) I don't expect to see many opportunities to buy banknotes. People are prioritizing what they need for their family to survive a lockdown (& investments/collectibles are the furthest thing from their minds). Only the "Diehard" collectors will be scanning eBay (& live auctions) for potential investment opportunities. BUT I expect that many sellers will downsize what they have to offer. In this effort to sell less, I predict we'll see more common and less uncommon (tough) items up for bids. This means that these fewer rarer pieces will command higher/decent prices with the "Diehards" bidding for them. Common, (low BV items) will remain on the market with few takers. However, while this may become the general rule I'm sure there will be some exceptions (& some opportunities).
It is more important than ever for all of us to be extra careful during these times. If you haven't got into the frequent habit of washing your hands (& avoiding touching your face) than I encourage you to start. This is especially true after handling money, or being out at the gym, or anywhere where people are touching things. Remind yourself that handshakes aren't absolutely necessary and avoid crowds. While some may think that the entire world has gone "nutters" it is a great idea that we overreact (rather than adopt a complacent attitude) towards the rampant spread of this terrible illness.
March 8th 2020: Over 100,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 and its unofficially a "pandemic." This is sad (& unprecedented) news. People are struggling to digest it for what its far-reaching implications. It is what it is & I feel for those infected, and those poor families who have endured losing a loved one. I also feel for those people who have had their lives turned upside down by being put into quarantine (whether on a ship or land). Naturally, this pandemic has had a negative affect on the stock market. Now, switching to the mind of an opportunist, I have made a few curious eBay searches to see how this global crises has impacted world banknote sales. It has been difficult to detect any dramatic affect (other than some Chinese sellers putting their stores on hold). Good (tough/rare) banknotes are actually selling for more than BV. For example, I had my eye on 2 early Malaya (1941), Malaya & British Borneo (1953) TPG UNC 64 EPQ banknotes and each sold for $100 more than (or 75% over) Book Value (BV). Another example: from the another popular seller a PMG UNC67EPQ Italian 5 Euro (P1s) sold for $35 (BV$15) on March 1st but today the same note (PMG UNC68star) is at $56 with 8 hours to go. (Yes it is a higher grade but I do expect it to double the UNC67). So, as I have stated in the past, (while investors turn to bitcoin, gold, or whatever) during world instability on the markets, times like these can often present opportunities for "Diehard" collectors. But this is not always the case (as more collectors bid on the rare "scraps" being offered). Be vigilant, it may happen yet.
I can honestly say that I was in a very bullish mood in 2009 and wanted an ascending/descending radar. I bought one for less than 1/2 BV that year once word got out of the disastrous hedge funding of Bernie Madoff, & half the US banks sheltering junk bonds, etc during that financial crises. I picked up many great (tough) banknotes for 60-80% BV back then while people were losing a fortune on their stocks. I remember seeing condos and time-sharing properties in Florida and Myrtle beach being sold for 70% of their former prices. It is tough spending money on banknotes when everyone is being cautious (& citing doomsday reports for the world economy). I was never tempted into buying real estate (holding a much more complicated investment) back in 2009 and I feel the same in 2020. I still prefer the simplicity of rare/collectible high grade paper money as an easy (low management) passive investment.
March 1st 2020: We're now into the 3rd month of 2020 and we have witnessed how swiftly COVID-19 (Corona Virus) has spread from nation to nation across the globe. They're not calling it a "pandemic" yet but we all know its only a matter of time. Those nations with advanced Health Care infrastructure (such as Singapore) are coping better than those without (Iran/African countries). Italy's skyrocketing statistics are perhaps the most alarming. Last week, the effect this outbreak has had on Asian commerce has finally hit the stock market. World flights & cruises have also been impacted the most dramatically.
Many people believe we are headed for a global recession. How this affects us as collectors remains to be seen. I will venture to say that most rare (or tough) pieces being auctioned off online will come out in a small steady trickle. Collectors will not buy the common stuff. Instead, a few of us will turn our attention only towards the rarer items. Auction houses will continue to sell off wealthy people's collections so there may be opportunities there (but the bidding could be brisk). It is important to note that while markets may have slowed down (& an expected contraction in the economy will likely happen) the reasons are external (a pandemic). However, once the wheels slow down the global affect could cause further problems in other weaker/dependent government/closed economic systems.
Perhaps the biggest impact could be the shutting down of shows/bourses and auctions these shows carry out.
February 22nd 2020: I'm excited to say that my 6th video has finally been completed and uploaded to Youtube. Scroll below to watch it or others (& please like or share with fellow collectors). While not a great departure from my 4th video (on collecting world currency) this episode looks closer at which nations to acquire and how buying selectively will pay down the road. I do advise collectors to buy during times of uncertainty (so I can't think of a better time than now).
February 16th 2020: It has been public knowledge for the past week (or more) that the Corona Virus has claimed more than 1000 lives and is a serious epidemic since its outbreak in China the past 6 weeks. This has had a negative impact on the stock markets & the fallout from all the closures/cancelled events/flights to Asia, are yet to be determined. Simply put, such pandemics are cause for a fair degree of uncertainty over the global economy. However the same driving forces behind each thriving industry has not changed. This means that some company's stock will have taken a hit even though that is a function more of a global phenomena rather than fault of that particular co/sector. So, some deals may be out there. If you're still hesitant about investing money in either the stock market, gold, or banknotes (when you know that global factors are the cause), than you might as well forget about investing (ignorance is bliss/don't worry about whether inflation is eating away at your nest egg).
Special numbered banknotes are a favourite of mine but I have been alarmed to see how many dirty/well-circulated examples were auctioned off by various FB Group members well above BV. I'm alarmed because it leaves one to surmise one thing: newbies must have been engaged in bidding contests for radar rags unaware of the deep discounts that occur when radars are in such poor condition. On a similar vain, I also saw posts about UNC 10,000 & 25,000 Guilden Suriname banknotes printed in 2000 that the FB World group members claimed were "super rare." The SCWPM gives BV of $22.50 & $45.00 (respectively) for these 2 high denominations (usually because they work out how much the note is exchanged for & go from there). Now while the SWCPM may be very low (the notes are new & difficult to determine what market demand is), I find it a stretch to believe that either banknote is worth 8-10 times their BV. The FB members replied that the 2 banknotes were "ten times BV" & used a seller from eBay as an example to back up his claim. Another FB member posted that eBay tends to always be high (unlike FMV you will see on a FB auction!) This sweeping generalization is false but I "liked" his comment because the eBay seller (who he had used to back up his claims on these 2 banknotes) had all of his/her banknotes listed at inflated prices. As a general rule we must keep in mind (when perusing eBay for banknotes): sellers often "Search" the banknote they list (particularly if its a pretty high denomination note) & will justify jacking up the price. But with eBay's high fees they have good reason to do so. eBay will also have its "hot" and "cold" niche markets. I've seen several Trinidad & Tobago 2015 polymer $50 Commemorative (P59) PMG 66 notes sell for $150-$250. The note is beautiful but can be had for BV ($35 or less) and is super common. The same can be said for the Republic of Singapore which has four versions of their 1967-1972 $1 (P1a-d BV under $50) but sell for $150-$200 in PMG Gem holders. It is also quite likely that the heated FB Groups' market (for certain items such as special numbers) has had a negative impact on eBay's market for the same. The result is both good and bad. It is "good" for eBay shoppers who can still get fairly inexpensive UNC banknotes (esp BIN lots on world notes) from overseas. It is not so good for sellers because they may find it challenging to sell their banknotes in a shrinking saturated market (& cover their costs/make a profit with eBay's high fee structure). For more discussions on Buying & Selling banknotes please scroll down . Also stay tuned for my latest video which should be ready next week.
February 8th 2020: This past week was filled with ups & downs from south of the border (USA- for those who don't know I update this from Canada). With the furor of the impeachment trial puttering out as everyone expected, the stock markets seemed to be on a roll again. Finding it quite difficult to source eBay sellers who offer TPG notes at true Auction style (rather than BIN). Many from Hong Kong or China have shut down their listings due to Chinese New Year (& likely the Corona Virus) Getting a little bit of gloomy forecasts on the outbreak of this latest epidemic from Wuhan, China. Several companies have shut down their operations. The Corona Virus epidemic will definitely have a negative impact on China's economy. Time will only tell how it will impact the world's economy as a whole.
February 1st 2020: I have just completed a breakdown of my experience winning 2 high grade TPG world banknotes from the recent Heritage Auction at the FUN show in Orlando. Please scroll down to AUCTIONS under "BUYING: Tips on Buying" below. I'm sure my UK "buddies" from CCF, who never buy TPG banknotes, will have a silent chuckle over my alarm of how expenses add up.
January 26th 2020: I just found an interesting thread on CCF re: coins featured on banknotes. If you're into that thing (also: Scientist, Ships, Women, etc featured on banknotes) as the bases for your collection than I highly recommend you check out CCF (Coin Community Forum). I can see how ancient coins featured on banknotes would be appealing to several coin collectors (who would outnumber strict paper money collectors by several factors), hence making the tougher versions of these notes extremely popular. I have also won 2 items from the January 2020 Heritage "FUN Orlando" show auction and will comment on my experience next weekend- so stay tuned.
January 19th 2020: I have added another article to my Noteworthy Reads page. I have also been replying to a FB Group post on the grade of a banknote with some minor production issues and 1 very small offset printing error (& possibly an ink smear but damage from the smear on the back). He's asked for opinions but later insisted the notes "are GEM" yet appear nothing of the sort. (From the images he's posted it is obvious the ink design has not been applied perfectly since smears mar the note's appearance- just for starters). BCS refused to grade error notes for many reasons and I'm sure you will seldom see occasional "original" examples. I have seen PMG give EPQ designation to Indian Rupee notes with spindle holes (meaning the paper has been altered) so the bottom line is- buy the note (NOT THE HOLDER). Another clue for me is that the FB collector posted the note at the end of small run (6-8 banknotes) so it is likely that the note has been handled roughly (compared to the inner 3-4 protected by the outer notes). It is much more likely that the outer banknotes would be UNC60 to UNC 62 (I actually doubt any would be "Choice") due to the flaws seen (plus likely counting flicks or edge bumps, etc). While I admit, I cannot inspect the notes in person, I just find it hard to see collectors casually label notes as "Gem" when images show obvious issues & detractions (from the point system). Remember this: just because you have a run of consecutive banknotes- does not necessarily mean that they are GEM uncirculated. I don't know where people got the notion that consecutive banknotes command a premium but a very seasoned collector from CPMF once suggested that it was because those who got them assumed they were uncirculated (another myth). You may think I'm splitting hairs here but believe me there are collectors out there who only buy top-notch notes and will have a more critical eye than myself. Plus: if you're going to post something on a FB Collectors group- then I feel you should be open (or ready to receive) others' opinions. Enough said on that.
January 11th 2020: Last March I attended the Cambridge Coin show and was quite impressed with the huge turn out. I have to admit that it was a long time since I had been to any collector's event and I was a little disappointed not to see a few individuals (the "usual suspects") I have known from the area. But again, It was extremely busy, so it would have been easy to have missed them. My point is: if you have a chance to go attend a show then you should try do so. The 29th show is on Saturday March 21st and runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. I was looking at the Waterloo Coin Society's site when I came across their link to The Banknote News (which I thought I had already added to this site). It appears like I missed that so this site has been added. Doubt towards Krause's future publication of their SCWPM hung over the company's financials last summer (their publishing website was down) but I found a link for an Amazon listing of the same and added these under "Catalog" on the NOTABLE TERMS page.
January 8th 2020: Added a more pertinent article "The Art of Designing a Banknote" by Julian Payne from De La Rue. A great read if you're interested in what goes on in designing notes today. Check out the Noteworthy Reads link or the Notable Sites link & scroll to bottom of the "Supplies" section. In "Buying Notes" section below I have added a few thoughts on buying via FB groups.
January 4th 2020: Added another "Noteworthy" read link (from Canadian Coin News which relates to coins). While doing so I realized that my Special Serial Number (new page) and Acknowledgement pages may be difficult to find (so added links to the bottom of this page).
January 1st 2020: Happy New Year fellow collectors! Hope everything is working out for you (& your collecting) in these exciting times. Now ask yourself, do you have any new collecting goals this year? If you answered "yes" good for you! Hopefully, you're arming yourself with lots of information (you've been doing your research on which notes you're interested in) and you've got clear concrete steps in mind in terms of how you wish to acquire them. Will you be selling off some of your collection? Will you be focussing on specific types of notes, countries, replacements, special numbers, etc? Or will you simply be trying to attend a workshop on grading, network with some fellow collectors, go to the odd auction/show?
I want to thank all of the buyers who have bought from me either on eBay or here. Thanks again for your patronage. I hope I can serve you again with some high quality banknotes. Remember to drop me a line if you see anything you want to buy (prices can be more negotiable on combined purchases/or suggested "lots").
I know that one of my goals is to keep this website up-to-date & relevant to today's Canadian & World paper money collectors. I am still working on my 6th short video on collecting (see below for Episodes 1-5) & will start making plans for future videos. Do you have an idea/suggestion/tips for collecting you'd like to share? Again, drop me a line, and I will be sure to consider the possibility of adding it to a future video.
As far as the paper money market goes: I am observing brisk action on most of the nations I have covered in my videos. The only exception are Israel & Bangladesh (which I have covered in my videos- and obviously should) as they still keep me spellbound in their high demand. Small Asian states (Macau, Hong Kong & Singapore) continue to hum along nicely (at or above BV). Pre-Euro (German, Ireland, Italian, Belgium, Netherlands, Cyprus & Malta): all seem to be selling well. I have found UNC 2002 Euros (with either Duisenberg or Trichet) to be tricky to buy raw at $5 US (or less) above BV. The only nations that seem to run by their own course are Greece, Spain & Austria. Clearly, hordes of fresh packed UNC notes exist for most of these countries (like Yugoslavia) as there's several old hyperinflation Greek examples which can still sell for a "bottom-basement" price. Later issues (just pre-Euro, like the Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia & Lithuania) seem to fair better than their older issued "cousins." Small Commonwealth island nations (Falkland, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda) & territories (Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Guernsey, etc) also have continued to perform well (as far as sellers are concerned). No change to the popular Canadian, US, GB or Australian markets. Most collectors seem bent to acquire older series, replacements and special numbers in higher grades for these tough series. If you're a big fan of world (or the popular CDN, Aussie, GB/US nations) than I'm sure you'll be all over the FUN US & World Auctions January 8th to 14th presented by Heritage. Good luck and remember those darn 'buyer premiums.'