2024 Observations:

(In reverse order)

• December 28th 2024 Many times I have collectors ask me for high denominations (Bank of Canada $100 or $1000 notes) which I don't collect. I find myself explaining why these notes do not appeal to me. The best story which illustrates why I'm not interested happened when I attended a RCNA workshop in 2019 on Grading. The BoC were in the process of removing the high denomination's status as "legal tender" meaning no retailer had to consider a $1000 as cash payment & could turn a would-be customer out the door if they tried to pay with one (or the $1.00, $2.00 or the $25.00 from 1935). One could still go to his or her bank & deposit the retired denominations- just not pay for anything with it. At this 2019 Banknote Certification Services workshop, Steve Bell asked the participants (out of curiosity), who owned a $1000 banknote since the topic of their status came up.  Nearly everyone put their hand up (out of 40-50 attendees).  From the preservation workshop (which happened earlier in the day), I discovered that the majority of participants were coin collectors first (unlike me). I focus only on paper. It did not surprise me that so many of these coin collectors (who collect signature sets or one denomination of each) had the $1000 note.  About half of them had most of their sets in VF to UNC. Their banknotes were not their priority. For me, I'd rather tie up that type of money on one or two rare or tough note(s) in UNC.  I have had many opportunities to purchase high denominations for a "song" (compared to their book value or what others say they're worth) and have passed. I don't want to tie my money up any more than it already is! Coin collectors are interested in saving consecutive serial numbers, 1867-1967 Confederation $1.00, $100.00 & the $1000 denominations. They have different goals & their own reasons to seek these.  I am not judging them. I just know that I am not interested in keeping such notes which hold very little interest to me.  They could have any one of these in a PMG UNC 70* EPQ (or BCS UNC 68 Original) holder and they still wouldn't "ring any bells" for me.  The same principle applies for most specimen notes (for me).  I want a note which was meant to circulate (a low to mid denomination people used extensively) and that was inherently tough to source in the first place but still in great shape. Finding a needle out of a haystack or an UNC gem amongst a "workshorse" denomination "rings bells and whistles" for me. Here's another Numista thread (initially on pre-Euro) which I found amusing because it strayed off topic about the sourcing of high European denominations (in UNC).  I have seen the tougher 500 Euro notes sold for half what everyone says they go for.  These are also the notes that cost you crazy commissions to sell (so expect it to be painful).  This is one of the reasons we see such sky high mark ups for them.  Now, don't get me started on the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note (because then we'll be talking speculation & that's another hot-button topic)! 

• BTW: scroll down to some of my earlier December entries for more collector tips/strategies.  I will be in the process of moving the entire Collector Corner 2024 page into an ARCHIVED Version between now and the new year. 

• December 21st 2024 I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or a happy holiday (if you're not into Christmas) since I won't be posting such a message once the day is gone.  I always think it is a good time of year to start reflecting on how your collection (or sets) are progressing.  Doing this may force you to re-examine your collecting goals.  I discussed collector goals in my previous post (last week on the 14th of December) & quite often over the course of the year.  It can never hurt to tighten one's goals.  I went to a local coin show about 3 weeks ago and bought a catalogue (rather than a note). I think that was the first time I have done this (go to a show & only buy a catalogue).  But then, after going through my catalogue, I noticed a lot of Book Values (BV's) on the pricing tables had not budged compared to my 2019 catalogue.  It made me think twice about what I viewed on the bourse. Perhaps that was the reason I saw so few 1935 & 1937 series (although these are the notes that do get the slight bumps). The majority of what I saw were non-EPQ (processed or non original).  I wondered, did Charlton bump up these series during the pandemic when so many mid-graded notes were being sold for hefty premiums?  With a reputation for being conservative, I doubt that Charlton changed the tables to reflect the buying frenzies.  However one wishes to reflect on the hobby, it is clear (at least to me) that one must buy the best condition in order to maintain the value of one's collection.  Be conservative (like the editor/pricing panel who contribute to the Charlton). That's the only consistent "rule of thumb" one can bank on.  I would also avoid chasing high denominations (particularly the top two: $100.00 or $1000.00 notes -unless they are the first 3 "Sweetheart" Series- 1935, 37 & Devil Face 54's). 

• Here's a fun post from the PMF on 2024 in Review which is a good one to check out when thinking about one's own collector goals. It gives me a better idea on what others collect & it can help me gain some perspective on what each of us collects. These are top specialist & collectors who are pretty serious about their sets (quite willing to drop some big bucks on their collections).   I never compare myself to them but it also makes me think about how far am I willing to put money aside for a desired banknote.  I still have one more Saturday (the 28th) to post a collector corner reflection & I hope you will take the time to tune in!

• December 14th 2024 Today, I want to share NUMISTA thread: a collector describes brown spots on his Bank of Canada $100.00 banknote which was sold to him as UNC (uncirculated).  The poster calls this a "quality question" & I agree with his concerns.  If you take a look at the images he posts: there's plenty of problems on his note. The rounded corners & general mishandling are clearly evident, enough so, that I doubt the note would be graded higher than AU. But I also agree with the replies from the Numista member who goes by "ahkai" since it is unlikely that the author will submit his $100 for grading.  Should he send the note back? I know I would but I also wouldn't buy a common Bank of Canada $100. I would have contacted the seller & if he agreed, I'd be making arrangements to ship the note back (pick some other note of his) or arranging for a refund.  If the seller became difficult about a refund I would just be sure never to buy from him/her again.  If buying this denomination were important to me, I'd try to get a tough prefix, a special number or a replacement. The note should be tough and a super nice grade. In general, many of the $50 & $100 were stashed away in Safety Deposit Boxes so there's many out there in UNC.  This general rule of thumb goes back to the Modified 1954 series. They rarely sell well since the starting price is high for something that is so common (& most collectors would rather put their money into a more collectible lower denomination).  I bought a 1954 $100 when I first began collecting and wanted "signature sets." Later, I realized this was a pretty low-bar to set for myself and reassessed my collector goals. In fact, I soon realized that, with the exception of the 1954 Devil's Face & earlier series, the $50 & $100 denominations weren't tough at all (& would be eliminated from my sets).  I sold all my FIFTIES & ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR notes and put that money into upgrading my sets with a few errors. I look at that time, when I reassessed my collector goals as pivotal in my development as a collector.  

• December 7th 2024 A co-worker's father has passed away.  He was a coin & banknote collector.  My friend turned to me for assistance with the banknotes.  After loaning him my catalogue, he realized he had to organize the Bank of Canada notes into their appropriate series. After two days of looking through various bundles, I found two UNC Bird Series $2.00 replacements. Each might be worth around $20.00 - $30.00 but the last TWO DOLLAR note issued was hoarded so demand is weak. I had to explain the difference between book value & market value (what the book says but what people will be willing to pay).  The option to list them through eBay would be exhausting.  My friend's father had several partial bundles 1973 ONES, 1986 TWOS & FIVES in UNC but all were common prefixes. Even in UNC, the notes wouldn't be worth more than double Face Value.  The good news was that they were in AU - UNC but the bad news was that a dealer had already rejected them (they had too many).  The reality is: most of the billion (or so) 1973 $1.00 & 1986 $2.00 were kept by Canadians so they're too common (demand remains low).  

• His father also had 2 binders of World currency.  In one binder, the hyperinflation South American/Asian currency was mostly "dealer stock" & heavily circulated. It would be tough to get $0.10/note for this binder.  The 2nd binder was more promising with the last paper from Australia, England & New Zealand.  Unfortunately, many of the notes looked circulated but there might be some demand for these (I know I wouldn't mind exchanging a few and perhaps adding a slight premium to their exchange rate).  I have commented on this exercise (of disposing an inheritance) here on NUMISTA.  If you are a serious collector with a collection of banknotes try to be as organized as possible.  Document every item & link your receipt the corresponding item so it may be traced without your direct guidance. 

• November 30th 2024 I have read another "Banknote Sleeves Query" from a collector on Numista. Originally I answered the question but the thread has been resuscitated.  Recently a different collector wrote, "Leuchtturm Basic banknote sleeves are not safe for long term archival storage. But what is considered a long term? Sooner or later, any plastic begins to react with the material and inks of the banknote. It's a matter of time. Soft PVC kills banknotes quickly enough. Rigid PVC is better, but I do not recommend keeping a banknote in it for more than three years. Then you need to change the holder. This is my personal experience."  I replied that this has not been my experience (Leuchtturm & Lighthouse I had recommended, like all larger brand name sleeves). In fact, I have found a lot of overly dramatic threads which I have often questioned on many forums. I started storing my notes with PVC sleeves in 1980's.  I replaced replaced them all (with no issues) after learning that there was an issue with the sleeves breaking down.   If you buy a note that comes in a suspect sleeve (ie with PVC) then it may be prudent to replace it with a good PVC-free sleeve.  Always err on the side of caution.  One of the most important factors to consider is how you store your notes: dry/dark place? upright or flat?  The storage environment can do more damage than poor sleeves in the short term. 

• November 23rd 2024 I just wish to point out that I will not be able to sell/post any of my Canadian or WORLD doubles due to the CANADA POST strike. If you wish to purchase notes please contact me just the same so I can put the notes you desire on HOLD.  Once the strike has been resolved, payment settled, I will send your package out. Remember, it is unlikely that you will find notes cheaper on eBay (I charge very close to the postal rates & keep your costs down).  This is a hobby for me (not a business).  Let me know what you want!  If you'd like advice on collecting, remember to check out some of the pages I have linked above (such as MONEY MARKET, Noteworthy Reads or Social Media links).  

• November 16th 2024 A collector friend has asked me what he should take going to the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) convention from January 9th to the 12th.  Here's my advice: before you go, try to connect with as many fellow collectors (who will attend) so you can hook up with them at the show. Make sure you sign up for the workshops! I always find I learn so much at these & they're a great place to meet folks with similar interests. I would also go through my collection & decide what you'd like to part with (doubles, notes that don't suit your collection?) and plan to bring those (but not too much). Be sure that what you bring is less than $5000 USD (so you have money to bring yourself- though I'm sure your VISA will do the trick). Be mindful of the $10,000 (USD) limit you're allowed with international travel to & from the USA (if you're not a resident). Plus the event is high profile & you cannot be sure of your security so always be cautious & careful where you walk!  Consider submitting notes to PMG if you're a member.  Don't carry large amounts of money with you (be cautious with swaps).  You will not be able to swap/sell notes at the show! Anything you carry around could get stolen so be careful/vigilant if you wish to bring notes you'd like to swap/sell! The other thing I would bring is my latest catalogue (or get either the banknotebook or track&price ), a notebook, tablet & anything else you use to keep track of your sets.  You may also wish to have a magnifying glass, currency sleeves, a carry/protective case for the notes, (etc).  My point is you should go to the convention well prepared to "talk shop" but always have your safety in mind. Personally, I always like to get supplies when I'm at a show so I know my first stop will be at a supply-selling table on the bourse.  I also like to socialize so this would be on the top of my agenda (going for lunch/dinner with likeminded collectors) so I would try setting up some off-event lunches, etc. The FUN show is a huge and well organized event. Use the "apps" offered for negotiating the exhibits. It will have over 1500 dealers and expects well over 10,000 people to attend.  If you go, be sure to follow a certain code of ethics as well (be mindful of the time you take with a dealer) as they have others to serve, (etc). Try to be generous with your approach and others will appreciate and want to get together with you regularly.  Most importantly, have FUN!

• November 9th 2024 I have discovered that more and more eBay sellers, who typically offered items via a True Auction Style format have switched to Buy It Now (BIN) format listings. This trend has been eating away at True Auction Style for over a decade but there were a few sellers who held out, knowing full well that they were the exception to the rule & as such, would command a huge following.  I suppose a dwindling following (or unsatisfactory hammer results) have forced their hands towards this path.  It is a big shame for us collectors.  It is another blow to those individuals who would  prefer allowing the market to decide the price of an item versus the preconceived notion of what any item is worth.  The latest seller to transition to BIN has been a favourite of mine even though I have not won many notes from him.  It is Central Collections from China & I have seen other popular Asian dealers make the transition to BIN. I hope there will remain a few sellers who offer True Auction Style listings. Good luck to all those note hunters out there!

• November 2nd 2024 It is getting late in the year of 2024. This may be a good time to think about setting collector goals &/or if you wish to amend present goals.  Or you may just wish to get your notes out and look at what you have (take stock in your sets) & go from there. Some gaps may appear (or remind you, have you set new goals?) or you may feel perfectly satisfied with your collection and leave it at that. Let me know what you think (if you found yourself reflecting in this way).  Happy collecting!

• October 26th 2024 One of the perks about being active in the hobby (while not buying) is that you discover many things the more one cruises the various numismatic forums. I rarely find interesting stuff (other than what some collectors collect) on Reddit yet always find a nice little resource (a "gold nugget" here & there) on Numista. If you take the link, you will discover that the thread is about the Banknote Database, a site "made by collectors, for collectors."  At the present time, it is a bit limited, compared to Numista, (the low # number of entries) but there is also one huge perk that Numista lacks: Banknote Database Blog which contains some excellent numismatic articles on banknotes (not coins!). Numista is filled with coin collectors who dabble in notes.  If you're interested in just banknotes, then the BDB may be perfect for you!  I will now add it to my Sites & Forums page!

• October 19th 2024 What are your favourite paper money forums? There are a half dozen out there (which you can find on my SITES & FORUMS page).  One of my favourites is the Paper Money Forum which links to my site & always has well-informed collector input.  There are many interesting regular threads that get up dated on a weekly (sometimes daily) bases.  For example, Recent World Purchases is fun to check out in order to see what others collect (& there aren't that many active WORLD PAPER threads out there!) Be sure to check out this October's Monthly contest & share your story about a note you have. If you get your story chosen, you could win a prize! There are many excellent threads on a whole range of interesting numismatic topics so it will be worth your time to check it out on a regular bases. Also, why not check out my latest Queen Elizabeth banknote designs thread I created on Coin Talk. 

• October 12th 2024 Almost yearly, I have read a thread with the author speculating about the value of his Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note(s) (see Numista's P-91 link).  Here is an example 100T thread from CCF & this one is more recent speculation from Reddit looking to hear great news about its inflated selling price.  If you take the Numista link (which describes the note) you will discover that the P-91 100 Trillion has a Numista Rarity Index (NRI) of 18 (which will likely go down as more members enter theirs).  To put this in perspective, a NRI of 18 is slightly more scarce than a US 1963 $2.00 Red Seal (P-382 with Motto) which has a NRI of 17. (Canada's current 2012 polymer $50.00 note has an NRI of 22).  Several Numista members wish to swap theirs (profit from speculative hype) so they're anything BUT "rare" (a terms which has received much abuse in social media).  The CCF thread is interesting since it was started in 2018 & revived in 2022 (at height of the COVID pandemic) & I would expect that 2022 will remain the height of the P-91 100 Trillion note bubble.  On World Banknote Auctions (WBA), I saw a few PMG UNC 68 sell for over $350.00 between 2022-2023 & I am sure glad that it wasn't me who jumped on the bandwagon!  There were so many decent, high grade, tough notes that sold for less on WBA at that time. If you are a collector of World banknotes, then I would caution you against speculating & purchasing notes that "armchair collectors" seek. Read the 2 threads & determine for yourself whether P-91 is a true investment note (or something Banknote World & a few articles hyped up & caused a ruckus over). Remember that there are still several collectors out there who own bricks & bundles of these!

• October 5th 2024 I posted these four $100 notes from Jamaica on Coin Talk last week & got a fantastic PM (Personal Message) from another collector who lived/travelled Jamaica 19 years before me (1976).  He even met Bob Marley!  The closest I came to meeting the raggae legend was visiting his house on Old Hope Road (now a "museum") and dancing to his tunes while drinking a "dupee" at Devon House! I must say that those great memories are & meeting fellow collectors is one of the best reasons you can take up a hobby like collecting paper money!

• September 28th 2024 Things have been slow for me in terms of collecting, going to shows, or buying new banknotes. So I thought I would share what happened at the bank today. Go to my Collector Corner's Spotlight page to check it out.

• September 21st 2024 Those who know me as a collector, know that I am a big fan of putting together a few sets. I realized over a short period of time, that I had been acquiring mostly QEII nations so actively headed down that avenue.  Here is a thread on my QEII collection I started back in March (2024) on Coin Talk. I let the thread sit dormant until August 17th when I made a big entry for Belize. I hope you will take the time to check it out.  I will be adding to it over the next month or so. 

• September 14th 2024: A friend has asked me if I have bought any notes lately & I have to reply "not really."  Most of my buys have been very few & selective (unlike any other time I can remember, since prices are very high)!  Just check out eBay & you will find a lot of "bulk buys/dealer stock" up for auction & anything else worth buying, priced dearly "Buy it Now" BIN style.  It makes it very tough to be acquiring notes at this time.  Instead, I've been spending more time on editing/revising this site.  Please check out my Corner SPOTLIGHT page for helpful collector strategies.

• September 7th 2024: I love to read posts like this one: regarding why did a collector's 10 Dirham from the UAE sell for so much? I suspect it was for a combination of reasons: first series, a bidding tet'au'tet & a "good day" for the seller (luck).  The United Arab Emirates 1973 TEN Dirham P-3 only scores 45 on the Numista Rarity Index (NRI) so it cannot be that the note is excessively rare/tough to source. Check out the thread & you will see images of 2 notes he sold. One note is Very Good (VG) with graffiti/edge tears & the other is only slightly more appealing (possibly Fine) so a high final bid cannot be due to their condition.   The seller wisely put them up in True Auction style (allowed the bidders to decide) rather than Buy it Now (BIN) which comprise the majority of listings these days.  It is likely that there was a minor bidding war between a few buyers & this drove the first series note higher than one would expect. 

• In order to re-cap what makes banknote series more popular than others, I have listed a few "Collector Tips" on my Spotlight page. Please check it out! In short, it helps explain why the UAE 10 Dirhams from 1973 performed so well at auction: collectors flock to first series.

• August 31st 2024: A week ago, I placed an order with my branch for $6000 in FIVES & TWENTIES. I asked to exchange $2,000 in $5.00 notes & $4,000 in $20.00 notes.  Could I get these in UNC? The answer was, "no." The last time I ordered cash (in 2018) they were able to accommodate my UNC request for new notes.  I got no reason behind this lack of cooperation & just sucked it up (thought, let's see what happens). A few days later, they posptoned my pick-up day by two days. I then went into the branch to pick up my order & this took about 15 minutes. I came at 9:30am (after the morning rush) and she requested my driver's license and tapped away at the computer for some time. Finally, after about 10 minutes of that, she went to the back and retrieved a bag with the bundles of FIVES & TWENTIES. She opened the bag up & counted each bundle. I could see that the FIVES were nice uncirculated but the TWENTIES were dirty/circulated. After all the counting, I placed the money in my own protected envelopes/bag & left.  Three of the four bundles of UNC FIVES had serial numbers that jumped all over the place (by 10 or 100,000) while one of the bundles was more, or less, numbered consecutively (with gaps). It was quite clear I wasn't going to get a radar since the notes must have an "XXX" or "XYX" pattern in the middle three digits & that was not the case. I felt pretty fortunate to get a repeater INT6438643 $5.00 since it was only 40% of a brick (1000) and I've learned (by experience) that its very easy to strike out completely (no radars/repeaters) with 1000 notes! The 400 TWENTIES were in terrible condition with nothing approaching AU - UNC.  No notes had the new Lane-Macklem signature, signature change-over prefixes or worth keeping.  VF & EF were uncommon while VG to VF were the rule (& some notes were missing pieces/substrate & should have been destroyed or sent to the mutilation bag). I just thought I'd share my little "bank-strap hunting" exercise with any of those who may be thinking of doing it themselves. Now, I must "exchange up" or return the $6000 for $50 or $100 notes (which is also time consuming). It can be a fruitful enterprise but you can also strike out making it feel quite like a rigmarole for little gain. This is the norm (more rigmarole than gainful). I think I have satiated my curiosity for another year or so.  If you do decide to give it a try, drop me a line & let me know how it went! 

• August 24th 2024: Five years ago this month, I started this Notaphilyc Culture site.   It has been a fun diversion, a learning curve & excellent outlet (instead of spending money). This week, just as I have been doing with last, I continue on site maintenance.  If you have any suggestions, improvements you' d like to suggest or contributions, please drop me a line. I will get back to offering up some collector insights next week! 

• Aug 17th 2024: Since I have been collecting (some 50 years ago) ever summer has been slow.  I must admit, with holidays & other summer distractions, maintaining this site is more challenging at this time of year. But, fortunately, there's always social media & online forums which can keep me busy. The other thing a collector may wish to discover is the big shows that occur in the US.  One such show is the ANA World's Fair of Money. Anyone who attends will admit that these shows have the most stimulating & fun workshops. Check out the above link or check out this link on the ANA & future events. Learning about this hobby & keeping challenged can keep one motivated. Have fun!

• Aug 10th 2024: Another collector has shared his collection of former countries on Reddit. This is a real treat to view- especially with his brief summaries & the Wiki links he's added to provide some background & extra context.  Who doesn't like a history lesson to go along with our hobby? (I know I do).  Some of the countries (Papal States or Sarawak) are very expensive (tough) in any condition while others (East Germany or Yugoslavia) are quite accessible (inexpensive) in UNC. Such a collection takes a bit of research, time, money and patience. Not everyone has the resources to achieve this but it is great to see this thread get the lively comments & upvotes it deserves. It is super to see what can be achieved with a bit of planning.

• Aug 3rd 2024: Another 2 common questions on social media are: is this real (or fake) & how much is this worth?  The first question is often asked on a low denomination or banknote which would be far too expensive to replicate. So, I hope if you are starting out collecting, you will understand that most low denomination notes (unless Chinese) are not targeted by forgers! Notes that are targeted are usually tough/scarce higher denominations that make it worth the effort to copy.  In summary, only a tiny fraction (like .01%) of the high denominations get copied & these notes usually have a reputation (of being copied). The 2nd question (about your note's worth) is another question which is subject to a great number of variables.  The first thing you should know (if your note is from a recent series & is circulated EF or less) than 99% of these are common and worth Face Value (FV or the "marker" or number on the note or no premium).  The vast majority of notes I see posted as "My banknote collection" should be exchanged at the collector's bank! They should never be in a person's collection because they have little eye appeal & can be found online for under $2.00 in UNC.  I am going to repeat myself here because most notes I see posted are not AU nor UNC (& even if they were UNC premiums would be minor.  Sometimes I feel like posting "it's just money" because that's all I'm seeing when a person posts a circulated Canadian polymer $20.00!  That may come across as harsh but they're getting no upvotes on Reddit & for good reason. Most German, Hungarian, Zimbabwe & Yugoslavian hyperinflation notes that are 100 years old + should be original, in very good condition (EF+) & have great eye appeal or upgraded. These notes are super common! Remember that the recent Zimbabwe 100 Trillion banknote is one of the most common (overpriced) notes out there & non-collectors  bought them due to the media/press covereage initiated by Banknote World. About 2-3 years ago when a collector posted how much his note would fetch I did a basic eBay search & came up with 100 listings (80% of them were in UNC) with BIN for $150 USD (some certified others not). At the same time the same money could buy a 1970 $5 or $10 with PMG UNC 66 holder from Rhodesia (a much tougher note). Popularity & hype have kept these hyperinflation notes from Zimbabwe dear while the tougher Rhodesian series remain a relative bargain (by comparison).  Keep these things in perspective!

• July 27th 2024: There are many collectors on social media who question what type of currency sleeve to buy.  There are several brands that are PVC-free or museum quality & which are safe to store/display your notes.  There are also cheap, poor quality holders out there (which yellow & the PVC can react with your note) so be vigilant. If you have a collection of banknotes then I would be sure to insert each carefully in a better quality sleeve! This minimizes handling of the note & protects it from the album pages (which may not be PVC-free). Here's a list of some currency sleeves available at Wizard Coin supply.  You can find these on eBay or any coin shop for about 40-50 cents/sleeve in bulk (depending on size & thickness).  I don't recommend buying cheaper sleeves as they'll likely contain PVC &/or may be too thin.  Remember, the note costs you something & you want your notes well preserved. It is worth spending a half dollar on a good quality sleeve!

• July 20th, 2024: The reason I covered "how to spot a pressed/washed banknote" last week (07/13) is that I don't want you to pay a premium for something that has been processed (to look better).   If you know you are buying a processed note & there is transparency in the transaction (the seller labels the note as processed or "NON Q" note) then that is up to you. The reason I don't encourage collectors to seek processed notes is because I want you to seek notes that are much easier to sell (rather than notes that may actually be difficult to sell OR may lose their intrinsic value). I do know some collectors who actively seek non-Q notes because they believe there are only non-Q notes.  There are very few Q notes for US Nationals & some other areas.  I understand this & know that there may note be many choices for some.  So long as you know what you're buying "all good!"  

• NEXT, I would like to address a common misconception I see on social media too often. It is either the recommendation (or the question) "should I get this note graded?"  I used to try to answer this question but these days I don't believe the question is asked in sincerity (so I leave it to the social media experts) who never need to back up what they claim.  My blanket answer is to ask yourself "why must I grade this?" If you answered, "to increase the notes resale value," then I would say, "no, don't grade it!"  If you grade because you believe it will add value to the note then this is going down a rabbit hole not worthy of the trip! First, if you wish to have a note certified, you should understand that doing so doesn't increase the value of the note, it just adds assurance that the note is X grade.  What certification does is make the note more liquid and easier to sell.  If you only collect TPG notes (but NOT non-TPG) & wish to add the note to your presonal collection, this may be another good reason to submit.  Otherwise, you should develop a minimum value/grade threshold (in other words, "my note is worth $250 or more & is in AU-50 EPQ or better - so I will submit OR my note is below $250 and in EF so I will not worth it"). Developing some thresholds can help in your decision to submit or not to submit (keeping your expenses in mind). 

• July 13th, 2024: Today, I wish to discuss processed notes & how to look for the tells of such a note.  Check out the terms "Pressed, Processed & Washed" on my Notable Terms page for a review. Remember, discovering processed notes is a skill much like learning to GRADE. If you sometimes miss the telltale signs of a pressed note then I would encourage you to examine non-EPQ (any non "Q" or non "original") certified notes and discern (ISOLATE) the "tells" (evidence) that give away a pressed note. Typically these "tells" are the tiny lines we see on creases that have been pressed out. It is much more difficult to view the lack of embossing from a book-weight "soft" press-job. Remember what makes a note original: embossing, vivid ink, and natural wavy substrate (cotton-paper or polymer substrate).  Most US notes have colour threads which will become bleached. The washed note is often pressed after it is washed.  It tends to show migrated ink in places the ink should not be. Check for a smudged serial number or seal colour beyond their typical regions for this "tell." On older Large-sized US currency, look for evidence of rust (brown smudges on borders) or missing colour seal &/or no microprint.  If you have looked at this thread on US Paper Money from CCF then you will see many "tells" that point to a washed a note. Remember that washing is abrasive & water impairs the fluorescent security features (use a black light & compare normal fluorescent features to water-damaged fluorescence). But I rather encourage you to use the fluorescent security features only as a last resort! Why? To train your eyes so you don't need to employ it.  Once you get practiced looking for the correct tells you won't miss a processed (processed notes start to jump out at you!)  You will never be fooled again!  And this, my friend, will SAVE you money in the long run!  Remember the old saying "buy the note, not the holder?"  Well, once you get really good at spotting processed notes, you will actually start to see them on TPG notes with the Q! That's right: that is one of the hard lessons about learning to grade & to comprehend, that if you wish to buy higher/better quality & expensive (rare) banknotes, you must learn for yourself how to grade & spot problem notes (without the advantage of a black light).  Good luck!

• July 6th, 2024: I want to thank all those collectors who took the time to enter their sets in last month's PMF contest.  Please take this link to see who the winners were in the Paper Money Forum (PMF)  June's contest! I realize that assembling 1 set of banknotes takes time, focus & discipline.  It is not easy so I appreciate those who participated & kudos to those who answered the 2 bonus questions & won the top prizes!

• This week's entry will be brief. Next week I would like to discuss how to detect washed & processed banknotes. Please take a look at this thread on US Paper Money from CCF.  Read the OP & each reply to come up with your own assessment before scrolling to the last post. Do you see any problems with the 1914 $50.00 FRN in question?

• June 29th, 2024: Today is the last day for the Paper Money Forum's June Contest.  Please read last week's entry (6/22) for the rules & details of what earns a collector points (per set entered).  Also: read 06/8 & 06/15 to answer both Bonus Questions.  It could mean the difference between 2nd place & 1st place. Check out today's entry (06/29th) on my SPOTLIGHT  page for a description of the TWO prizes available.

• June 22nd, 2024: This marks the end of the 3rd week for a chance to win one set of banknotes. The participant with the most points has the opportunity to choose his/her prize & a new PMF contestant (less than 100 post) will receive the 2nd prize! I just want to take this moment to thank those who have participated thus far.  Also, I want to add that my wife is from the Philippines & her family told me (on my 2018 visit) that a) they rarely see the 200 Piso note (like the US $2.00 - it isn't rare- just not used much). They also told me that they saw more of the older generation notes at first - very few banknotes from the New Generation 2010 variety like the #000006 notes on this month's prize (such as P-207 printed in France) & rolled out along with 2010 notes printed in the Philippines. It wasn't until 2012 & 2013 that the people of the Philippines started to see the new designs on a regular bases!  

• Please take this link to enter the Paper Money Forum (PMF)  June's contest! 

• Below are June's Monthly contest rules:

RULES:

Rule 1: all entries must be banknotes owned by you & issued by a central bank (No  Zero Euros, Fantasy, reproductions, rebel money, coins, etc) 

1 remainder, colour trial &/or specimen allowed per set. 

Rule 2: Set size: Minimum of 2 notes & maximum of 6 notes per entry by each contestant. Points will be awarded based on a clear photo/scan of each note (not the TPG holder). Grade/condition is inconsequential

Rule 3: points will be based on the characteristics of each banknote according to the June Point System + 2 opportunities to earn Bonus Points

Rule 4: Bonus Points will be awarded by responding to a question I will ask on June 8th & 15th on Notaphilyc Culture Collector’s Corner.  6 points will be awarded to June 8th's answer & 3 points will be awarded to the 15th's question. 

I will add up each contestant's points answers on June 15th & 22nd so everyone will know their totals. 

Contest closes at 12:00 on June 29th 2024 (Eastern Std time).  2 winners will be announced on July 1st 2024. 

June's PMF Monthly Contest Point System:

Bonus points:

Juno is the goddess of marriage, motherhood & fertility so that if your entered notes display an allegorical woman, an angel or goddess figure, your score will be bumped up by 3 points per note (max 3 pts/note) 

June bug: any note featuring a beetle will be awarded an additional 3 points.

Wimbledon: since this famous tennis match starts up in June, any note depicting a sporting match (including balls or nets) will be awarded 3 points.

Strawberry full moon: any note which contains the following 3 colours: a red note (or seal) will be worth additional 2 points & any orange or yellow note (or seals) will be worth additional 1 point. (Note: 2 point max/combined colours don't elevate point score)

Errors any error note will be worth an additional 2 points/note. 

Numbers: a low number serial #6 note, high 6 Million # or a solid 6 radar (all 6) or a 2 digit radar with 6 & 0’s (eg: 00666600 = an additional point)

Dates: does your note have a June, 6 (month or day), year 66 or 60 in the date? (if so: add an extra 1 point)

Replacements or other special # sets: all sets are worth an additional 1 point/note. 

Base points:

Themes: any set which has a theme will be awarded 1 point/note (unless they have extra bonus points described above)

Series: any set which features a series from any nation will receive 1 point/note.

• Now that you have read the rules, I do hope you take a moment to register with the PMF & enter your set in June's contest.  Good luck to everyone!

• June 15th 2024: & END of WEEK TWO of the Paper Money Forum's June contest. Please take this link & to enter your answer to the Bonus question 2!  You don't need to have a SET entered to answer today's bonus question 2 (but will need to enter a set later, in the next week, if you wish to be a contender!) 

• Here is how it works.  There is simply 1 rule: be the 1st to answer 1 question originally (= 3 Bonus points) Here are the 3 Bonus questions for Week 2 (ANSWER only 1 question for 3 pts): a) Who has your six (back) in this hobby? Do you have someone who is supportive (in what way)? No names necessary! b) What has been the best coin show (or numismatic event) you have attended?  c) Do you have a collector tip you'd like to share? Please remember to answer your question originally (Example: If 1 PMF member states that they use Excel for a spreadsheet to organize their collection & you want to suggest getting organized as a tip- you need to pick another tip (or answer either a or b to earn 3 points).  Hope this is clear! Any questions? Ask on the PMF! Good luck! I will give the new tally of contenders' points tomorrow (6/16). 

• June 8th 2024: & END of WEEK ONE of the Paper Money Forum's June contest.  Please take this link & to enter your answer to the Bonus question 1!  You don't need to have a SET entered to answer today's bonus question (but will need to enter a set later, in the next 2 weeks, if you wish to be a contender!)  My intent for this month's contest is to drum up as much interest in the hobby & participation on the Paper Money Forum (PMF) so spread the word about today's contest! 

• Here is how it works.  There are simply 2 rules: be the 1st to answer the question originally with LINK (= 3 Bonus points) & answer why (= 3 Bonus points).  Remember you must provide a link & a reason why you like it (doesn't matter- can be a simple as it is useful or "I find it helpful OR I like the info on this site" or as complicated, funny, quirky as you like.  If you copy another contestant's answer than your PMF post is only worth 3 pts (the entry & why are yours & still count). If you copy an original numismatic site LINK + reason you like (or frequent it) you get 3 + 3 for a total of 6 points! Here is the Bonus question for Week 1: Simply answer what online resource do you find useful to you as a collector (the link) + WHY?   All contestants are welcomed to use this site as a resource! Scroll below or go to the HOME page to find a useful resource page.  Now go post your answers & see if you got a chance to win some notes!

• June 1st, 2024: I have exciting news! I will be hosting the Paper Money Forum's June contest. Please take this link & arrange your best set of banknotes to enter.  A few questions have been raised immediately after I posted the contest thread.  Mainly, questions centred around what constitutes a set. I want you to be creative & post whatever comes to mind. Just be careful to read the June Point System so you can get the most points from your sets. ALSO tune into this page to see next week's Bonus question.  Don't worry, it will be easy but I'm hoping for no duplicate answers! 

• GOOD LUCK! 

• May 25th, 2024: Before I get started on today's observations, I just want to remind anyone who tunes into this- to be sure to enter the Paper Money Forum's May contest (its very easy)! That way, you will be all set to enter June's Paper Money Forum's Monthly contest.   Why? Because I will be hosting this coming June's contest!  I also hope you register with the PMF so you will start tuning in.  Why? Because I hope you will keep interested (ACTIVE in the HOBBY) without buying.  I want to prove to you that you can tune into a forum, learn from others & while doing so get yourself ready to win a free banknote! 

• Today, I want to continue the theme that you cannot (or should not) collect banknotes like the majority who post on Social Media.  Why?  Because you're here (checking out Notaphilyc Culture's collector's corner) & you have learned already what is "collectible."  You know coin collectors complete sets at the best condition they can afford.  The best collectors have a focus. They have set some goals.  They are NOT just taking random banknotes from his/her travels or when he/she can afford it. They don't just keep notes (or coins) because they look cool! They do not blow on the dice before they roll.  They know that there's suckers born every minute!  Collecting banknotes takes time, planning & a certain approach!  Perhaps there are sometimes when one gets lucky (one's  interests may get them in the right spot at the right time).  Generally speaking, however, the more a collector prepares the better their progress! Remember to "draw the line" on what you will keep & what you will dispose of (or try to trade up on).  You can learn from Social Media by seeing what others keep posting & deciding whether you wish to follow the same dull path or try to be more serious!  Most of what the "globe-trekker" collectors keep are "spenders." Save yourself time & money by attending shows, meeting other collectors & learning how to grade!  Try to gently encourage others to develop a sustainable approach to their collecting too. Get supplies at the shows (save yourself postage) & talk to the dealers (at the very least!) Smart collectors meet dealers, collectors & other contacts to get more from the hobby. Keep it fun but look at like it's a "long game" that requires patience!  Less is more!  

• May 18th, 2024: If you have followed Notaphilyc Culture than you know I haven't been a big supporter of Social Media (SM platforms like InstaGram, Reddit, FB, etc).*  One of the main reasons I have been somewhat critical of SM collector sites is due to the fact that we all have only so much time to learn about this hobby & SM sucks up more of that precious time from important sites where you will learn much MORE.  Most SM platforms are inhabited by what I like to call "armchair collectors" & "overnight experts."  Typically, armchair collectors never go to a show, never walk into a LCS ("LCS what the heck is an LCS?"), just collect polymer, 100 Trillion Zimbabwe hyperinflation notes (yadda, yadda) because that is what all the SM overnight experts do!  I have spent the past 5 years (or more) fighting the overnight experts on the poorly centred notes they keep calling "misaligned" or "miss-cut" & "errors!" They keep pushing polymer which is far more durable than paper. I know I'm not alone in this crusade (to educate the SM crowd) but if you are inclined to avoid forums then please (at least) check out the Paper Money Forum, NUMISTA  or the CDN Paper Money Forum where you will get straight facts about collecting banknotes. At least try to drop in from time to time but better still participate! I know these forums tend to be dry (& not overly busy) but NUMISTA has a good SM crowd & the PMF is very ACTIVE & inhabited by real experts who know their stuff!  Now, I want you to do me a favour & check this new SPOTLIGHT page where I share a young collector's journey through his LCS (Local Coin Shop).             * While I may not be a big supporter of SM I do recognize that overall, social media has been a boon to our hobby since it has indeed increased media exposure to coins, banknotes & collecting.   

• May 11th, 2024: In the past, I have suggested new collectors attend a few coin shows, get acquainted with coin/paper money forums, and educate themselves. Be wary of social media since it is filled with newly minted experts who never back up their claims.  I encourage all new collectors (or those re-entering the hobby) to develop a clear idea what they wish to collect, or more specifically, to craft a few collector goals.  These aren't written in stone but provide guidance. Remember that the best coin/paper collectors out there usually form some type sets & each one takes their time in this pursuit (it is NOT who finishes first but rather the journey). Some sets may be denomination sets (all Bank of Canada FIVES) or they may be one of each kind from a specific series. See this example posted on CCF. Others may form sets of special serial numbers, errors or replacements.  There are many possibilities to how specific (or general) & the World Banknote collector is challenged to reign in his/her objectives by being even more strict/specific with what he/she will acquire.  Be open & flexible (as sometimes our budgets can be part of the challenge) and remember to stick with it.  It is important to draw some lines (know what you won't collect!) Be a bit tech savvy by surfing online (or by the guides/catalogues) to get as much info about what it is you're aiming to acquire.  Remember also to learn how to grade, get good advice & choose only the better sleeves & supplies. And keep tuning into helpful websites (like here) or forums where collectors share their triumphant moments as well as their blind alleys! All of these activities can keep you engaged & help you through the dry periods.  If you keep consistently active you tend to pick up more than if you dabble intermittently. 

• May 4th, 2024: There have been a few new collectors on Numista asking how to identify their banknotes. They seem lost in what they must do. My suggestion is to get to know two key areas: where the serial numbers are & where the signature panel is. If you are unsure what (where, etc) of these 2 terms than I suggest you review my Notable terms page. Then look your note up on the Bank Note Museum (BNM). I always look for dates (some notes have more than just when the note was issued) & the serial number prefix (the further down the alphabet/larger the number often means the newer/more recent the note). Once you start doing this a bit it becomes second nature: identifying one's nation's note is a good starting point- then branch out to other nations.

• If you ever get a chance, you may want to go to a coin (banknote) show.  You could check out Numista Outings page. These shows are a great place to see what type of coins/notes (exonumia, postcards, medals, etc) are out there.  You will meet expert dealers & other collectors who may be in the same boat as you.  I always buy my supplies at these shows (reference books, banknote sleeves, pages, etc are always discounted).  Shows are great places to meet likeminded individuals, learn what to collect (or grading, etc) & such networking/education can only bring you more joy with the hobby.

• April 27th, 2024: We are nearing the end of April & soon it will be May.  Every month, the Paper Money Forum (PMF) has one member host a Monthly Contest. To check out April's contest use this link.  I have volunteered to host June's contest so be sure to register with the Paper Money Forum (PMF) if you haven't already done so!  You can win a free prize (which is usually some, or 1 cool banknote!).  Otherwise stay tuned for June & I will get the contest going!

• I have also updated the Money Market page so please check it out! On this page I try to reflect on the previous month's collectible market (how were things, hot, cold, luke warm?) Are collectors scrambling to their local coin shops (LCS) or are they bidding online like maniacs? I can only give a tiny glimpse on how I feel the market has been fairing.  I cannot say how helpful it will be to you as a collector but you may find it somewhat useful. 

• Here is an interesting question about the value of purchasing a greensheet.  It may be a great idea to get a copy since it may provide a low approximate value of what you should be paying for any particular note.  Remember it will be a wholesale approximation & very general in terms of grades (like VF or UNC) but it may be a useful strategy.  Also keep in mind that most dealers won't let their inventory go to a collector for wholesale but having this knowledge could prove beneficial.  All Book Values (BV's) are simple approximations (nothing is written in stone). It may be wiser to try the 6 month subscription to Track & Price.  As one Numista collector noted (in the above thread), the more info you have as a collector, the better (& having a greensheet could prove to be a great strategy)! 

• April 20th, 2024: Normally, I would say you cannot make money selling today's current series.  However, there is always an exception to this rule: one in which you have access to a large quantity of banknotes so you can check series prefixes & serial numbers. But you need a lot of luck, persistence & time! Special serial numbers (radars, low numbers under 100, ladders, & Million # notes) are all sought after & worth a good premium well above Face Value (FV) in UNC.  Smaller premiums may be paid out for signature change-overs or short prefixes.  Check my Notable Terms page if you need to refresh yourself on what these terms mean.  In order to make this task a bit broader you can also check World notes at foreign exchange outlets by getting the change-over prefixes info online.  Pam West publishes which prefixes she is after on her site.   Use threads on Numista or their info on a banknote series to get familiar with the tough prefixes. Info is key & your ability to get the best info soonest will help in this endeavour.  Also, be prepared NOT to rake in a huge premium if you are NOT an eBay Power Seller or have some means to sell the notes for minimum costs.  It will mean more to you if you are a collector since you may get a credit with a dealer & then purchase another desired note. This is the option many brick searchers employ.  It is also one of the reasons I despise the many Youtube (& Reddit) "experts" who try to use sensationalism to drum up "LIKES" or followers, etc when making unsubstantiated claims that "you will get rich by searching your banknotes (or coins)."  There's always a cost & the tubers' "Get Rick Quick" schemes are only worth a bag of dirt out there.

• April 13th, 2024: I have seen a thread on the NUMISTA site which deals with a collector who has his collection stashed away & would like some advice on where to start again.  Several other collectors have advised him to trim, get focussed & organized. I think this is fantastic advice as it could save him money when he gets up & running once again. It has been the basic theme of my site for the past 5 years (develop some realistic collector goals).  Would it serve him to purchase some nice collector supplies? I think it would. If he buys just the better stuff & a bit at a time, it may limit what he acquires. Finally, it won't hurt him AT ALL "to take it slow." The more methodical his approach the more interesting his sets in his collection will be. Good luck to all those collectors starting out again!

• April 6th, 2024: With the price of Precious Metals (Gold in particular) hitting new highs, some people are pondering "why?"  I believe, after reading a good PMF post  that it is the result of geopolitical tensions, post-pandemic inflation & Bitcoin profits. Clearly, Israel's unilateral defiance for a ceasefire in Gaza plus Russia's belligerent attack on Ukraine continue to rattle markets. When markets are jittery, people tend to put their money in Gold (& other PM). Many bitcoin investors have "made-off like bandits" with its steep climb while everyone struggles with inflation.  Those who profit from Bitcoin often like to have something tangible so they pour their gains into gold. (I believe many have also been putting their Bitcoin profits into Large size US & other World banknotes too). It is difficult to have faith in the dollar when the price of everything continues to rise & the value of our currency appears so inconsequential.  

• What does the rise in Gold (PM) mean to the average collector?  At first glance, a lot of collectors just like the fact that their silver & gold coins have gained value.  I would encourage paper money collectors to buy only the best (of what they can afford).  Less is more. Keep yourself diversified (such diversity always spreads out the chance of one major loss).   I am by no means a financial advisor but have read (or heard) this same "Diversify" advice be given over the years, for periods of uncertainty.  The jitters caused by world events is nothing new: it will always go on so long as there's markets and autocratic rulers, hegemony and global power plays.  All one can do is to seek opportunities and be wary not to sink one asset into only one particular investment. 

• March 30th, 2024: On the Paper Money Forum (PMF), Bob, who goes by "ThePaperBoy" asked an intriguing question about how many Paper Money collectors were out there (in the USA)?   He ponders this question for good reason: could too many notes saturate the market?  Conversely, if there was an influx of collectors, could this make collectible banknote prices (or Book Values) rise?  On this particular thread, many of his PMF replies gave inflated estimates as to the # of US paper money collectors (IMO). And I do realize it is a popular pursuit for US collectors recently.  However, I preferred & actually "LIKED" "TigerTrader's" take that he was, "...not sure about specific numbers but" ...knew banknote collectors "are a fraction of a fraction of the coin collectors out there."  He does not elaborate on his assumption & unfortunately Bob's thread splits into several divergent tangents. One member suggested 5% of coin collectors maybe banknote oriented but I still find this approximation optimistic.  I would not be surprised if there only 1% (or less) of coin collectors that focus on paper (as a side to their coins). Fortunately, there are other stripes of collectors, like myself, who focus only on banknotes.  There are also many other types of collectors which I shall cover in next week's Collector's Corner.  

Twenty years ago, when I got back into this hobby, I met Don Olmstead (a well-known paper dealer) at one of our coin shows in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).  He sold banknotes exclusively & this was his 2nd P/T job. He had to have another F/T line of work to make ends meet! He told me that paper currency collectors amounted for only a small fraction of the # of coin collectors. He was also the one to break it to me (gently) that US collectors drove the prices for Bank of Canada notes (not CDN collectors- as their numbers were far too small). 

I found the following PCGS article which backs up Don's (& tigertrader's) claim that the number of paper money collectors are a fraction of the number of coin collectors.  On May 11,2020, Steve Feltner published his perspective on "on Collecting World Banknotes"  To answer, "How do you see the future of world bank notes in respect to value?" he writes "If you look at the comparative values of world banknotes to other more commonly traded areas of numismatics, world paper money across the board is absurdly undervalued when considering its age, low survival rates, beauty, and broad appeal to non-numismatic people. If you had 10% of U.S. coin collectors also start collecting world banknotes, $200 notes would become $1,000 notes overnight because you wouldn’t be able to find them. " He goes onto elaborate that there are many opportunities for collectors to discover new signatures, dates, etc. I concur with his assessment & feel his predictions could prove to be prophetic.  Large size US currency continues to balloon in prices. Could this happen to World currency? I also feel that there is great potential for growth in the hobby & that collector interests/numbers continue to grow.  The reason more people consider collecting banknotes is likely Social Media but I also feel that our hobby is threatened by the Better Than Cash Alliance or BTCA's agenda to rid nations of their cash. If cash use becomes a thing of the past, it may go up in value (short term) but it could also disappear from the minds of the population rendering it forgettable (or insignificant) long term.  I know this may seem to be a gross exaggeration but our hobby could actually fade into oblivion if the BTCA have their way! (The issue of our lost privacy is a whole another "can of worms!)" This may also come across as far too hypothetical now, but look at what happened to other hobbies/obsolete technologies: where are all the stereoscopic or phonographic cylinder collectors?

• March 23rd, 2024: A collector friend has asked me a very good question (which I hope to answer in today's observation).  How would he go about buying a 1935 French $10 in EF or better condition?** He has (rightfully) observed that the 1935 Series are very expensive (or out of budget on eBay (& most platforms). My answer was fairly simple (since I know he is just starting out on the 1935 series) & he has already done what most collectors would do (let everyone know he's looking for the French $10 in original higher grades).  I suggested he broaden his collector goal to include the English/French $2.00, $5.00 & the English $10 in original condition.  That's what I did over ten years ago when I finally could afford to buy 1935 (1937 & some Devil Face/DF notes).  TBH: my goal started out very laser focussed & broadened within the year of my search.  What I discovered was that most 1935/37 (& 1954 DF's) were offered by US sellers (& listed in USD) & very few sellers were CDN. This meant that most notes available (online) were subject to a 30-40% increase in price (from the get-go).  Nothing was up for auction but all BIN (Buy it Now). I ended buying my favourite (making an offer) on two 1935 notes from a Canadian eBay seller but had to pay the tax (which was still cheaper than buying from a US seller). By buying two notes at the same time I saved about $3-$400 on the combined purchase. It took me 4-5 years to buy those two notes & in that time, I also bought three 1937 notes (such as UNC P-58a/b $1.00 ; P-59a $2.00 & P-60a $5.00). I'm quite happy I broadened that collector goal since these "Osborne Tower" notes from the 1937 series have spiked in price & I doubt I would be able to afford them now.  Be sure to be flexible about your collector goals. Once you learn exactly how elusive a certain note is, be sure to give yourself some latitude in buying the next best thing or buying another tough series (on your terms). Start checking more auctions.  Go to shows & tell dealers what you're looking for (leave your contact info).  I still feel you should aim for EPQ (or Original) since I believe at least 66% of everything back then was pressed (or washed). But if you buy another tough note than you have done yourself a favour.  If money is not an issue then by all means go for the toughest note now but be prepared to pay through the nose.  I watched a CDN dealer list the 1935 French note I wanted for $2000 higher than BV (this note was still for sale after I searched for 4 years).  ** I have adjusted my friend's collector goal somewhat just so that I could illustrate my point about adjusting one's collector goals.

• March 16th, 2024: A collector from the Canadian Paper Money Forum asked me about a note I placed on HOLD.  "What was up with this note?" Why was it on HOLD for so long, he asked. There was a few notes I had put on HOLD & left that way for a while as I had them put aside to be graded. Other HOLDS were for repeat patrons who had asked if I could wait a bit for them to decide.  There were also a few tough notes which a collector friend had asked me to hold for a potential "swap" with one of his notes.  These few tough notes we had agreed could be swapped but then the swap fell through. I did take the liberty to expand which notes I put on HOLD.  I forgot to take these BoC notes off HOLD (or remove them from my list) and I have since remedied this. There are times I will get busy and I don't always have a chance to update my Bank of Canada or World Doubles lists perfectly.  Remember if you see a note which interests you: just ask OR make an offer. The worst that can happen is I will turn you down. It's that simple: I won't chase or hound you if you do not follow through! Sometimes I may ask whether you are still interested (usually since another collector has enquired about the same note) but that's all I will do.  I want you to be happy (NOT have Buyer's Remorse).  The best way for you to get the note you want (& for me to make sure this happens) is to use this HOLD system. Sorry if any of my HOLDS caused any inconvenience amongst those of you looking for a particular note to fill a gap in your collection.  I will not divulge any reason (ID collectors, etc) why a HOLD has been placed on any note.  I just wish to remind those out there who check in with me that I will put a note on HOLD from time to time for other reasons too (& I reserve the right to sell or withdraw a sale).  Make sure you identify yourself if you are interested in buying/swapping a note (and let me know which note you are offering).   Most of my doubles are typically listed for far less than what other sellers can offer you on any other online platform. Nobody can beat the cost of my shipping & I package notes like nobody else (sending them very promptly).  I always want this to be a "Win-Win" transaction. Thanks again to all those who have bought notes from me in the past: Cheers & Happy St Patrick's Day (tomorrow, on the 17th)!

• March 9th, 2024: "Raj," a collector from our Coinsandcanada site, asked me to create a youtube video differentiating "Almost Uncirculated (AU)" from "Uncirculated (UNC)."  It's a great topic to review but I don't have the equipment (video editing suite + light box) to do the subject justice.  My first recommendation for collectors striving to distinguish these 2 variations of UNC,  is to review this Comprehensive Guide youtube video (on grading) by 4 Kollector. At the 14.30 point a female narrator discusses "Detailed Grading." She pretty much covers all the elements between a pristine UNC note and an AU example. "Almost Uncirculated" notes typically have counter flicks or light centre folds (not a crease). The AU note also might have signs of poor handling, problem (dented) corners and imperfect edges on an otherwise UNC note.  Registration (the front design matching the reverse design) will be off &/or the borders could be uneven.  The reason why it is so essential to discern the difference between AU & UNC is that so many sellers pass AU notes off as UNC so it could cost you (dearly on the tougher, more collectible varieties!).  When you see eBay "Power-sellers" listing notes described as AU, do not expect UNC because the big sellers know how to differentiate (& it may have been returned due to one of the issues I've just described)! Remember, that AU are typically a "dime a dozen" with the more common varieties, so if you are an UNC collector, be sure to brush up on this area of expertise!  Great question & thanks for reaching out Raj!

• March 2nd, 2024: A coin collector on Numista wants to buy a kilogram bag of coins here. He thinks it would be fun to search through the bag & snag the odd collectible coin but the shipping is prohibitive.  My suggestion to him (on his thread) is that he checks into his LCS (Local Coin Shop) & raid their bargain bin. I wrote this because my friend Kyle has been doing this with amazing results.  He bought a Fine 1954 Modified $1.00 2 digit radar (3377733) for $4.00 (USD).  He also got  VF (Beattie-Coyne) Devil's Face $1.00 & a 1937 (Gordon-Towers) $2.00 for $7.00 (or under) each. Those last 2 notes would be about $25 & $40! My point is that I think its very important to realize that where (or how) you source what you want is very important. You also have to know your stuff (you can't approach collecting blindly).  A lot of people just want access to a huge quantity (this can be costly & very time consuming). Others want access to the bank's access (again time consuming & more misses than not). Another collector from Numista (redsmithstudio) suggested the "kilobag hunter" put an ad up at a nearby senior's residence. I think that's a great idea too. Just be careful when it comes to where you exchange your $ for coins if you put an ad up anywhere (I don't think the senior will be a problem but if you put an ad up at your community centre & just meet anyone (with loads of change) who answers your ad- that could be potential for trouble). Good luck hunting!

• February 24th, 2024: I really hope everyone has been enjoying themselves with their successful new acquisitions &/or trying to complete new (or old) collector goals.  I hope we're all trying to acquire legitimate coins & banknotes.  I also encourage you to drop in (& participate) on your favourite forums. Whether it is the kind folks at Canadian Paper Money, the Coin Community Forum or Numista, drop by and keep involved.  I feel obligated to share the Paper Money Forum's February contest link. And there's another important post on the PMF you may wish to check out: it is this one about the Bob Dillon Book being auctioned off to support the site.  I really do hope you drop by, make a bid, or enter the PMF February contest. All of these activities keeps you involved & they're pretty inexpensive compared to buying a new banknote! I feel that the collector community is only as rich as what we put back into it.  I have always admired this PMF site as it is consistently active & contributing collectors provide topnotch guidance.  Naturally, there are a few oddballs but overall, they're a pretty gentle group of excellent-advanced collectors who have a surprising depth of knowledge & experience.

• February 17th, 2024: Every week I read posts like this one (bought a fake $5 Maple Leaf), queries on ways to clean your coins or what does a collector do with his washed notes? Every once in a while I get sucked into this vortex of TILT -off the reails-COLLECTING  habits & throw in my "2 cents" with a not-too-kind reply. Buying a fake coin should NOT be compared to GAMBLING.  Gambling is what we do when we make a bet with some educated notion of our odds.   I usually regret chipping into these threads because I also then get other couch-potato collectors who jump all over my "JUST DON'T" replies.  The thing is: buying fake notes/coins &/or cleaning good notes/coins- are similar to cancer for our hobby. They literally eat away at the legit coin shops business & keep new collectors OUT (from continuing).  Once burned, most of our "newbies" will then shy away. Buying 1 fake (silver plated) coin or 1 photocopied note keeps the creeps who do it in business.  It can only be BAD for the HOBBY folks! Those who purchased the copies/reproductions may sell (down the road) & never buy another real item. The fake coins are very bad as they can be passed off as the "real deal" to the inexperienced hobbyist quite easily. Washing either coin (or note) destroys the coin/note's inherent value.  It is very tough to explain this to the casual (once a year) hobbyist who drops in to see what collecting is about.  My speech (naturally) is just DON'T DO IT. Try to appreciate what you have as it is!  Okay, there's my rant! Please discourage others from keeping the creeps in business. Let's shut these dingbats down!

• February 10th, 2024: Today, I answered "GBELEC's" question regarding the Narrow Panelled 1937 ONES found only on the H/A & J/A prefixes.  The question was posted on Coinsandcanada here.  The question was whether the first 5 prefixes (A/A to E/A) had narrow panels on the 1937 Osborne ONES. The answer is yes but it is inconsequential. They're not labelled as "Narrow signature panels" because they were all the same. There were no variations for the first "Osborne Towers" signature panels so you don't hear that term applied to them. The panel width change occurred shortly after the signature changed over to Gordon Towers. At this point, the printers realized a wider signature panel would better accommodate the new signature so they modified the plates after the J/A prefix.  A little over 1,000,000 J/A prefixes were released with the narrow panels. Wider panels were part of the plate design for K/A & all subsequent prefixes: A/L to Z/L plus A/M to N/M.  Few collectors would have noticed this change & it wasn't until much later that collectors struggled to find both narrow panelled varieties (H/A & J/A). The  Charlton guide would eventually publish the low number of J/A produced but many believe that the H/A prefix was also shortchanged (not fully released).  Nobody will know for sure but that is why a narrow panelled Gordon Towers note with either H/A or J/A prefix is highly sought after & far more valuable than an Osborne Towers note in original high grade. 

• February 3rd, 2024: Yesterday, I received another package of notes from an eBay seller who's store is called Noteshobby. He always lists his items with very competitive prices and offers further discounts if you save an item on your "watch" list. This typically occurs if you have bought from him before.   He is from Thailand yet his packages arrive within a week in good shape. Notes are always packaged correctly though bulk notes are usually in flimsy plastic but this is to be expected. (When you buy lots from him you will need to purchase your own currency sleeves).  I started buying World notes (& small lots) from him 10 years (or more) ago, so he knows me well. If you are looking for world notes (& I don't have them listed ; - ) you may wish to give him a try.  Many of his notes are fairly common but they're usually in UNC condition (unless he's labelled them as AU or other grades).  

• January 27th, 2024: Today, I will wrap up my month of collector strategies theme with a negative experience shared by a fellow collector.  He posts a Bank of Canada Centennial $1.00 note with no visible serial number & wonders what it would be worth. Several collectors wondered whether the note was a true error or a faux error (manufactured to appear like an error). He took the note to BCS & discovered that the serial numbers were routinely removed since the ink was so poor (BCS rejected it). I feel these type of lessons are important for us to experience or read about. It is also important not to let such a negative experience halt your passion. Perhaps take a pass on what you think is an "error" but continue to collect paper money. Try to be more critical of condition & look for small "tells" that the note may not be what you think it is. Notes in poor condition are not as collectible as ones in ORIGINAL EF or above. I bold the term "ORIGINAL" b/c it means the note hasn't been tampered with & this EPQ qualification has become a priority for me.  I suggest all new or emerging collectors to seek only original (or EPQ) items (unless scarce)!  I also have become much more suspicious of all listings on eBay. I have seen far too many mis-attributed (incorrect P#) banknotes there & have even messaged many sellers about their mistakes (several have thanked me while too many have kept the listing up unrevised).

• January 20th, 2024: Last week, a fellow collector reached out for advice on "Selling on eBay."  She wanted to know how to list, what strategies she should employ, etc.  I have had 3 spotty experiences selling on eBay.  My first was probably 20 years ago, when I first upgraded my collection & sold off many of my notes I found working at a carwash. Since the notes were found, it didn't really matter how much money I made on them. The listing format was very straightforward & "easy-peasy."  Buyers found my notes with no problems. My 2nd experience was about 10 years ago & then my most recent experience was in February 2022 just before Russia invaded Ukraine.  The 2nd experience, I had paid for each note: they either broke even or earned me a small premium. However expensive it became, I had no issues with people finding my listings. Each time, my results were very mixed (some notes broke even, some notes net me a minor profit).  People could not find my listings on my last experience so I barely broke even on most of my listings. Listing my notes was far more complicated & less user-friendly. The fact that Russia went full scale war on Ukraine shook the markets & people's confidence. If it wasn't for the fact that one note sold well, I would have lost money.  So I advised this collector (who wishes to sell) to check what the "pros" who have made helpful suggestions on "TIPS for Selling on eBay"  Please take a look if you are curious on eBay seller's strategies. If you have bought extra notes (like I have) than it could be worth your while to sell using this (or other) platforms. My biggest "eye opener" on this thread was that a seller needs to pay a premium for a STOREFRONT to get his/her listings preferential exposure.  Apparently the storefront fee also reduces the seller's fee to 7% (instead of the 15% most of us experience).  Its a huge incentive but you must sell a lot consistently! 

• Remember my 1st strategy I wrote below about private sales & take a look at my doubles:

• January 13th, 2024: This week, I will continue with the theme of common newbie questions & some of the strategies more advanced collectors employ.  The following will be a few questions I see on the various forums:

• Is my serial number a ladder (radar, repeater, low #, etc)? Usually not. When you are "1 number off" you have yourself a "spender" unless the number is borderline. Numbers like 0001001 are 2 digit binary (not a "near radar") but more like machine code. (Note, it is NOT 0001000 which is a 1000 RADAR & far more sought after).  A lot of collectors continue to name serial numbers like 8448884 as "binary" but most collectors I know accept only the digits "1 & 0" as a "binary number" since the zeros and ones are used in computer language.  You may also see posts on social media about "trinary" or "broken ladders."  There's no future in these "wannabe" numbers. I really hope you don't get sucked into the superlative vortex/game of "super" radar (unless your catalogue has such a variety).  A lot of superlatives in collecting are still meaningless to most collectors! BTW: when I started collecting there were always collectors adding a superlative like "ultra low serial number" (no: a number 3 or 4 serial is still a low # note).

• How do I get started collecting banknotes? My suggestion would be to get educated since there's so many great online resources. BUT, remember there's also excellent sources of info and more dubious sources.   BEWARE of social media. I really hate to write that (-it should BE a great source of info- but it just isn't).  Most social media sites are inhabited by wannabe collectors who skip the education part. You will see a lot of "guru gaffes," including (but not limited to) manufactured "miscut errors" (on US $1.00 sheets), recommendations to grade, poorly centred notes as "errors," where to buy cheap, & other borderline (or humorous) recommendations/statements.   I call them "guru-gaffes" because so many social media contributors will downvote real collectors as they often consider themselves "experts" (although they never back up their claims). Consider social media as similar to eBay, "you take your chances/ use with caution" even though the "Bay" should not be such a risky marketplace.  But it is important to be careful with what you "buy in" on, including collector's advice.  

• "How do I sell my note(s)?"  Generally, do not sell your grandparents' collection as a "lot" but individually (unless quite circulated/common).  Always join a forum & ask important questions (just to be sure). You can use eBay but sure you list your item as correctly/clearly as possible.  Employ cropped photos/images which show off the note in the best way possible.  Do not make exaggerated claims, but rather describe the note to the best of your ability. Let the note sell itself. If the note is a short run, replacement or error, be sure to identify it as such.  I would be hesitant to list my item to END during a weird/off time: what I mean is, I would prefer my item to end between 7:00 and 12:00 pm for most North America (if I was selling CDN or US notes) when your market is awake & available to bid. Times may differ for other nations.   If you can find a way to notify the collector community -do so.  I also feel that there is a lot of opportunities for private sales which is what I do. 

• STRATEGY 1: Private sales have many advantages including: cheaper than eBay BIN, no taxes, less postage & often better quality notes. There are many seller fees using eBay today so this seriously cuts into what money you will see.  Many eBay sellers don't grade well.  Some of my doubles are the more common "garden variety" (like eBay) but many more are not (special #, tough, design errors, etc). 

• STRATEGY 2: Network! Get to know fellow collectors & LEARN from them! Most coin/banknote collectors are friendly & eager to help you out!  One of the best ways to network is to employ strategy 3:

• STRATEGY 3: Join a forum! If you have been lurking on one of your favourite forums then STOP! Join or register & become active. You will only reap what you sow!  The less you contribute the less you will learn. I started participating on the original Canadian Paper Money forum about a year after its conception (20 some odd years ago).  I got to know the webmaster: he, I and a group of 4 or 5 others from our region often met up at shows, had lunched, showed off our recent acquisitions, shared tips, etc. It was great fun!

• STRATEGY 4: Consistency goes a long way. Think about strategy #3 and think about forgetting about your coins for 3 months to a year.  Which would serve you (as a collector) better?  If you just drop in to the forum once per week (instead of once every 2 to 3 months) then you will start to become a better grader, become more informed, get better ideas of what to collect, etc. Being a consistent collector goes a LONG WAY into making you the best collector you can be. 

• January 6th, 2024: For today's entry, the first of the new year, I'd like to reflect on some of the recurring questions/issues I observed from the many forums & social media I peruse. 

• Many collectors post questions about pressing, cleaning (or processing) crinkled, wrinkled & soiled older notes. Many collectors start dishing out advice & my advice to you is DON'T.  If your note actually is tough/collectible, the worst thing you can do is try to alter its condition.

• Collectors often post questions about where to source banknotes. The bank & exchange outlets are probably your cheapest source of regular issued notes.  Hopefully, you can meet nice employees who can exchange the best example he/she has in his/her till. Unfortunately, it typically doesn't pan out like we would like it to since banks/exchange outlets aren't in the business of providing us collectors with nice notes! The banks are especially reluctant to recycle (change up, or down) large denominations for small or large quantities of cash (even though some collectors with business accounts continue to "recycle cash)."  Some banks are better than others. The bottom line is that it is very time consuming & 98% of the time it's unfruitful.  If you don't mind the amount of time (& aggravation) then by all means knock yourself out!  My experience has been that you're better off to pay a small premium for a crisp UNC collectible note! 

• Remember, generally speaking, the sooner you buy a tough UNC note, the cheaper you will get it (most collectors know this!)

• Collecting banknotes isn't just about acquiring or accessing large numbers of notes.   Taking the time to understand what type of notes are out there should be part of your time spent on the hobby.  Getting to know how to grade, the key terms, how to store & become an eclectic or discriminating collector should consume most your time. Always err on the side of "quality over quantity."

• If you look at collecting strictly as an investment then you might want to try your hand at being a dealer.  You'll definitely miss out on some of the more pleasant aspects of the hobby! Advanced collectors become more conservative (are not afraid to sell sets or portions of their collection in order to acquire a better piece, etc) but usually balance a dealer's perspective with a collector's perspective. The only time they think like a dealer is in terms of quality (GRADE) & how hard it would be to move the item they purchase.  It's not all about what this is worth (but eye appeal & who might want one of these). If you find yourself becoming consumed (overly passionate) about the value of your collection, then perhaps its time for a break!

• Collectors' goals typically change over the course of one's "journey" as a collector. Do they always tighten (become more specific)? I don't think so. They simply 'evolve' whether you are aware of it or not.  They will change gradually & typically this change is for the better. Goals are often influenced by one's financial situation & those collectors you surround yourself with (you admire). 

• Be careful what you consume as gospel: there is a lot of useful information out there! Conversely, there's a lot of dreadful misinformation.  I'm not sure I would want to be a beginner in today's world of social media. There are too many social media gurus who tell young collectors to do this or do that. These faceless posters never back up their claims & can often bully unsuspecting newbies into misleading paths (or dead ends).  I still see a lot of posts about the "great wave" of "popular" Zero Euros, fantasy notes & the like. There's plenty of (defaced/"Nazi-Ghetto") stamped notes marketed as "special" for disgusting premiums. There are too many faux (manufactured) errors being sold as legitimate errors!  I really hope that newbies don't waste their money or feel so "burned" they never get past these traps. But that's not the worst part.  There are also other armchair gurus who push certain sellers & their circulated lots just to make a buck. I hope others will do their best to help ward off these types of illicit activities.  

• Get educated so you know what you're getting! If you're starting out, check out my "Top 5 Mistakes/6 habits to avoid" & "Proven Strategies" on my Money Market page.  That's really all you can do & "dig deep before you doll out another dollar!" Register on forums & participate (don't lurk). It doesn't pay to just peruse. Ask questions & get involved. The more you're involved the more you will progress.

• Finally, what does one do when one inherits a collection?  This is a tough questions because it involves a tough answer (it involves work- unless you wish to lose money)! Read this post on the Paper Money Forum for some ideas!

• Remember to check my PMG RESULTS page for a review of some of my recent certification experience.   

• Take the ARCHIVED ENTRIES link below for 2023 & earlier observations.

2022 archived entries

The point of this website is to function merely as a REFERENCE site, encourage best practices & to stimulate interest in this gr8t hobby.   If there are other "take-aways" bonus!

In 2018, I attended an excellent RCNA workshop in Mississauga on storing/preserving one's collection and grading paper money by Steven Bell of BCS.  If you have been a collector for a few years and want more information- then I highly encourage you to try getting your feet wet at either a local chapter or at one of these great workshops! See the RCNA link on Notaphilyc Sites page.

Thanks for stopping by!

Scroll down for video tips on collecting, buying & selling banknotes, understanding what makes a note more collectible, etc.  Take this link for observation on the Money MARKET.

This site could not have been put together without a multitude of reference material drawn from many sources.  Please refer to the Notaphilyc Sites page if you wish to pursue more information (like I have) or see my Acknowledgement page to see who I am indebted to for info. 

2021 Collector's corner

2019 collector's corner