SITE Maintenance from 01/2026-03/2026
September 27th 2025 It is really great to see other collectors post their Queen Elizabeth II notes in this Coin Community Forum thread I started back in December of 2021. As you can see, if you dare to read the thread, that attempting to assemble a QEII collection could keep you busy for years to come! I am still missing British Borneo & Malaya, Cyprus, East Africa & two of the former Rhodesian colonies (South Rhodesia & Rhodesia & Nyasaland). My problem is that I am looking for EPQ TPG notes so this has kept me stalled for some time. I imagine that with the uncertainty over tariffs now would male this as good a time as any to try to pick up an example. However, I have also noticed that many auction houses have stopped offering tougher colonial examples. US auction houses, like Heritage Auctions, continue to offer Large & small US rarities but I haven't seen many of the World notes I am seeking. Perhaps, in a few years, we will begin to see some of the tougher stuff reappear & be hammer out in due course. I suppose we all have to be patient for when the time comes that our hobby won't be hit by another setback.
September 20th 2025 Here's a Coin Community Forum thread enquiring whether to grade a 1935 English $2.00 note. I think the great angled pictures demonstrate what a washed note looks like. I cannot see any evidence that the note hasn't been washed (like planchettes). Instead I see faded blue tint, white lines where creases are & no evidence of soiling (where soiling would normally appear). This is not the type of banknote I would submit for certification. I don't believe this note would receive an EPQ nor an "Original" designation. Even a lightly pressed VF example would be preferable over this one (which has all the creases of a Fine but none of the typical evidence of circulation one finds in a Fine grade). Another "tell" of washing (for me) is that the "British American Banknote Co" imprint on the reverse is nearly missing on the reverse. It is much less compromised on the obverse but these are the more vulnerable areas to washing. For me, there is no benefit to grading a washed (or apparent) grade unless the note was a treasured family heirloom which one wants further to preserve. If you are unsure whether your note has been washed, I suggest you try to compare it to an UNC (or high grade/original) example. Once you know exactly what should be evident, it will help you immensely in developing a nose to sniff out those processed notes!
September 13th 2025 Here's a Canadian Paper Money thread on BCS submissions. The collector of states that he/she submitted 10 notes to BCS & posts a picture of the first 5 Certification labels. She/he has asked whether we forum members agree with the grade levels (I believe). I think its impossible to make a decent judgement (when one cannot inspect the note) but do believe that the high GEM grades (four 65's & one 66) are excellent results. You can be sure they are all genuine GEMS. Another collector commented they'd probably be higher if they were submitted to a US TPG. I also agree with that sentiment: that they would likely get higher numbers. I mean nobody knows for certain, but from my own experience, I felt that my BCS submissions & 65 results definitely were a bit of a let down (I hand picked my radars out of sealed bundles too). I feel that many of my GEM 65's would likely be more of a 67 in PMG certifier's hands & the odd Gem 66 I got from BCS would likely be a 68 at PMG. I do feel Steve is strict and that he's really helping Canadian collectors in a way b/c you're definitely getting a note that should sell faster than a PMG note. Unfortunately, however, a LOT of collectors still regard PMG as the "golden standard" and don't give BCS the recognition it deserves. BCS is a small operation (small fry) & doesn't grade the volume that giant PMG co. does (by any means)!
September 6th 2025 About a month ago, a collector who goes by @desiboyee, posted an exceptional 2 part Banknote Video Podcast on Grading. I wrote a brief summary for Part 1 on Numista, Coin Talk, PMF & CCF. Here's snip of my Numista review:
A collector asks questions and the expert answers in a seamless pertinent dialogue. The grading terms are accurately explained with appropriate graphics. All grade levels (UNC to Good) are covered with respect to level of perfection (production) & greater degree of circulation.
Here's part of the brief summary I wrote for Part 2:
The “Choice” (above avg & problem-free) term is elaborated on & in the different levels when Choice is awarded. The various degrees of paper quality, folds, stains & other issues are explored in depth. This is really well covered, elaborating the distinction between wrinkle, soft & hard folds on paper. They visually show how paper quality can change with circulation/time, exposure to light, etc. They also go on to discuss how attempts to processing (or doctor) a note often leads to a more devastating result. They show a before & after shot of a note cleaned (with WHITE crease lines) vs the unaltered note. Great images of soft, rounded and missing corners are also featured.
Both videos are excellent resources which I will return to from time to time. I have added them on my collector Spotlight page! Please check them out if you haven't already done so! I have to say, though, that I am a bit surprised (& dismayed) by the poor attention @desiboyee post's on the above 3 collector sites received. I wrote the summaries hoping to generate some interest (or collector feedback). All I got was one negative comment on Coin Talk about the AI generated voice over! I find this bitching about the VO (rather than commenting on the excellent content) is about as petty as it gets! Whoever went to the trouble of creating this 2 part video must be pretty flabbergasted (I know I would be). I feel its pretty lame that so few collectors actually checked out the video (or bothered to praise it). I realize that they do take a certain time commitment (& perhaps 2 parts is more than a lot can handle!) I also suspect the great body-blows this hobby has received by the added US tariffs. It may have also dampened collector's enthusiasm! Shame!
August 30th 2025 I have just finished my 5th SPOT & will leave it as a surprise (say no more). Go check it out on my collector Spotlight page! It is the last SPOT for the year & working on this set is what started me on collecting World Banknotes.
August 23rd 2025 This past week, I have worked hard on a Fourth Spot page featuring a set from the Philippines. Please check out SPOT 4 Philippines or go to my collector Spotlight page to see the other "spot sets" I have created over the summer. This is an example of a fun, special number set that did not "break the bank" to put together. Most notes have quite low NRI # (almost everyone has an example) but it turned out that I managed to get lucky with several tough signature combos! I also kept my "collector radar" on for idiosyncratic types (7 digits) once the new Polymer series arrived. Stay tuned as I will add my last set next week!
NRI # are Numista Rarity Index which factors in the # of collectors who own that note & the number of collectors willing to swap it. The Philippines series have quite low NRI # because they're inexpensive to exchange & easy to come by. This even holds true for some of the older series. NRI does not factor in condition so if you have a note with a LOW NRI, then you must get it in UNC condition.
August 16th 2025 Today, I added my 3rd set & background info behind it to my Collector Corner Spotlight page. This set took many years to complete because I drifted away from my Bank of Canada sets. The 1935 (first) series was short (only 2 years) & expensive. I also made many costly mistakes, like buying notes with issues, along the way. I do hope you check it out & let me know what you think. I also made a (rare) announcement on Coin Talk Paper Forum section about this site.
August 9th 2025 It has been 6 years since I started Notaphilyc Culture & to be honest, I'm surprised that I have managed to keep it going! What has kept me inspired has been your mostly positive feedback! The interesting forum chatter (which I read & will likely respond to) plus social media posts also help keep me engaged. Finally, I cannot just buy notes: I must explore other outlets & adding to this site is a lot cheaper! Please visit my Collector Corner Spotlight page where I have added a FALKLAND ISLAND QEII profile set! This was one of my first World sets completed. I hope you will see the rationale behind each set I put together. Perhaps it will inspire you to create a set for yourself.
August 2nd 2025 I just completed a JAMAICA SET SPOTLIGHT page. It is the last World set I have completed & is featured as a link on my Collector Corner Spotlight page. I plan to add other spotlight sets (from other nations) in the upcoming weeks. Please visit this site again to check for more updates!
July 26th 2025 I have finally got caught up in revising/updating my Money Market page. Has discretionary spending gone up (or down)? To discover my perspective, please take a minute to check this page out (July's entry)!
July 19th 2025 After I had posted my Jamaican set thread on Numista, I then took pictures & posted a shorter version on Reddit (Banknotes). This posting languished while (at least) on Numista, some collector/members commented on the thread about their own experiences. In fact, one member (ahkai from Australia) posted his P-58 $2.00 FAO Commemorative which completely flew under my radar (I like commemoratives but I don't actively seek them). And another member (blue-m from Thailand) posted his single-letter prefix 50 Cent note (P-53). I had no idea that the Bank of Jamaica issued early single-letter prefixes until he posted his comment (I had assumed all notes were 2 letter prefixes). All the responses to the above thread have been illuminating & educational. In a fortunate turn of events, I had purchased an AU example of P-54 (the first 1970 $1.00) that arrived this past week. The note has a single-letter prefix! I paid very little for it (I added a picture to my thread on July 18th 2025). I just want to end today's entry with comments on why true-blue banknote collectors (& specialists) will post sets on Reddit but the reddits won't get the attention true collectors will expect! A rare 1942 $1.00 from British Guyana $1.00 sub languishes (few upvotes/no comments) while a sub about a Papal Zero Euro souvenir gets 133 upvotes & many comments. From what I have observed thus far, we must remember the Reddit audience/participants. Social media serves new collectors interested in the most recent novelties, circulated recent issues & polymer series. Users (& fans) of Reddit are not that interested in tough SETS, understanding the history behind these, rare series & other numismatic topics which may fascinate us! They just aren't that interested in quality or the tough journeys a specialist takes. Hopefully, some of the users will gravitate towards a coin/currency forum & become true-blue believers (collectors or even specialists perhaps) but we cannot expect that to happen overnight nor "en mass!"
July 12th 2025 I have put together a set of banknotes from Jamaica & have created a thread to show it off on Numista. Last week, the final & toughest piece (P-53: the 50 Cent note) had finally arrived. I worked in Jamaica between 1995 & 1996. With the exchange rate being around $1CAD = 25 JMD, I rarely encountered the smaller denominations (which were replaced by coins). I never encountered the 1992 FIVE DOLLAR bill but only the $1.00 & $2.00 notes. I found the TWOS & ONE DOLLAR notes rolled up in a tip jar (& the bartender allowed me to examine them). I've since discovered that the banknotes a collector should be seeking are the 1970 (or 1976) (first &/or second) ND (No Date) series. Why? Because few were saved & most were circulated. The exception are the "Collector Series" which I have avoided (they were never circulated & were like specimens). The 1970 ND series usually have the George Arthur Brown (GAB) signature & can be very tough to source (mid denominations) in higher grades! My set (that I am posting) does not represent the toughest, just what I could find but I am using the thread to educate (in case others may be interested). I do hope you check it out (& post comments on NUMISTA).
July 5th 2025 Sons & daughters have been inheriting coins & paper money regularly since the pandemic. Many are posting pictures of their circulated coins & banknotes on social media (or sometimes currency forums). My suggesting to these people is to get organized first. This happened to a friend of mine: so I suggested he get everything organized by series. His father left him a massive collection so organizing the sets became his first priority. He showed me hundreds of Journey FIVES & TENS in EF to UNC condition. He also had nearly a bundle of BIRDS TWOS (probably 80 or more) that were in similar condition (EF to UNC). The 1973/74 Scenes of Canada ONES & TWO's were also kept in tight brown bank envelopes. He had to squeeze the notes to fit them back into their packages so all notes were becoming handled (or Almost Uncirculated) due to inappropriate storage. I told him that all were regular notes and their values would range (with small premiums each) depending on their condition. I found three ARX $2.00 replacements from the BIRDS TWOS (about $10 in UNC). The biggest problem was that he had so many of the regular prefixes (few replacements & no change overs). He replied that he was told the same from his local coin shop (LCS) & realized the premium (over Face Value) would be small. I also suggested (secondly) he put the notes in better envelopes or currency sleeves but I could tell he was not in the mood to spend more money on his father's collection. He wanted to disperse it as quickly as he could so his family could enjoy their inheritance. If you have inherited a collection, always try to make sure the collection is stored in PVC-FREE flips/sleeves & in a dry place. I also advised him that the best way to get the most out of it was to sell the common notes/coins in "LOTS" on eBay (but that listing them through a POWER-SELLER would get better results). His primary problem listing them with eBay is that his listings might get little traffic & slow/poor results. My final piece of advice is to keep a ledger of what you have & make notes! You need to learn (a little) about grading (condition) & the details of the older more valuable series (why they're sought after). Do not try to improve the condition by cleaning or processing (flattening) the notes! Handle everything carefully. It would be wise to take photos of what you have so you can show dealers (if you don't wish to cart the collection around).
June 28th 2025 On my June 7th entry (below), I discussed winning a 1935 English TEN & submitting 5 banknotes to Banknote Certification Services (BCS). I then revised my TPG RESULTS link to discuss my submission results. Today, I added a 1937 $5.00 regular prefix and discuss my expectations. Here is another excellent thread on the PMF where the OP/webmaster ("tigertrader") discusses his results of a Paper Money Guarantee World submission. I hope you will take the time to read over his (& my) results on the links above. They're a great way to see how we can often hope for the best (& be disappointed) but also be pleasantly surprised (at times!) It also teaches us that it would be wise to buy a light box (& submit less) and notes should have a minimum value. Be very selective (or even reject) what you think needs certification (based on value).
June 21st 2025 I believe it is very important to discover what you wish to collect (& by the flip-side of the coin: to draw the line at what you WON'T collect). Check out my SPOTLIGHT page for my latest take on how to collect (in answer to collector enthusiasm to purchase UNC bundles of ANY nation: see 06/14 entry). I am firmly in the camp of encouraging collectors to find their passion (rather than collect any nation). Being specific on nations, motifs or other parameters, really allows one to pick & choose. Once a collector finds specific areas of interest, than I hope that he/she will discover a few goals & improve on his/her sets. I don't care for this "One Note from Every Nation" for a number of reasons. First, it encourages collectors to seek the cheapest notes in any condition so they can check off their score card. Second, it embodies "The Amazing Race" mentality. Collectors might then skip understanding the many facets of that veteran collectors truly prize (tough prefixes, special serial #, grading rarities or the tougher varieties, replacements, etc). I can't endorse the ONEN approach but I cannot completely reject it either (many are pursuing it) & it does have a goal (however vague/inappropriate). I'm still in the camp of collect what you like (note: I did not write "whatever you like.") I'm hoping that most collectors will become educated with the knowledge they pick up & will naturally become selective.
June 14th 2025 Here is a thread from Numista asking how do dealers get their UNC notes. Most LCS (Local Coin Shops) don't go to the banks to get current series notes but have customers & their dealer networks supply them at a very minor "mark- up" for the next oldest series. They will take special serial numbers and errors which have great eye appeal (mostly EF to UNC depending on how dramatic or "wow!") They pay the smallest premiums for notes like this. They also get UNC notes at shows when collectors wish to trade them in for a purchase. I do not recommend Canadian collectors attempting to get UNC notes from ATM's unless they don't mind scratches on their polymer! Try to arrange an UNC withdrawal from your branch's teller. Typically tellers want a week to order a number of "Bundles" (100 notes) & that is the best way to get UNC. Be aware that not all tellers are compliant and you may get circulated notes even though you requested UNC bundle(s). I have used many terms & even mime (gestures) to describe UNC (pristine/never circulated) notes & still received circulated bundles. Try to be pleasant/patient no matter what you receive & just try again (remember they're NOT collectors). Americans will not suffer ATM damage as their notes are still paper-cotton substrate. Some collectors call this "strap hunting" in the US & "brick searching" if you are withdrawing/recycling 1000 notes in Canada. Whatever you call it: the process of getting UNC banknotes (I call it recycling cash) can be time-consuming, frustrating & seldom fruitful. Remember that the odds of getting a collectible "special serial number" or change-over, etc are stacked heavily against you. There's WAY MORE COMMON notes than tough ones. If ALL you want is UNC notes then it won't be so frustrating, but if you wish to find truly tough notes, be prepared to do it often (& be disappointed)!
June 7th 2025 As eluded to in my earlier weekly posts, global economic uncertainty (due to fluctuating USA tariff policies) has negatively impacted both the stock & collectibles market. I made a decision that should such global economic uncertainty arise, I would not miss the opportunity. I would spend (rather than conserve/hold/pause as the majority of collectors have done). I have paused but knew that should an opportunity present itself, I would fill in some gaps. I bid on a 1935 English TEN & won. It wasn't a steal by any means but it was certainly a lower price than had I bid for the same note during the pandemic (when all governments were UNITED & working together to pull through a global crises). At that time, many collectors were stuck at home, and were anxious to spend their extra COVID money on their collections. Prices shot up overnight. I also made a decision to pick up the note in the city where it was auctioned & submit 5 notes from my collection to be graded at Banknote Certification Services. CHECK this TPG RESULTS link to see my results.
May 31st 2025 Some days, countries will be hit with a 25% tariff, and other days, it will be doubled. China will get another 90 day grace period while US allies get slapped with tariffs immediately. The uncertainty of our global economy has rattled the stock market for most of 2025 and things remain as "clear as mud" for the next 4 years. What does that do for the collectibles market? Such uncertainty may deter some from making the "big purchases." Undoubtedly, little purchases will drop too. But many of us are interested in conditions when rare notes are offered & fewer people bid on them. This means "opportunity" for those who take a steady approach. Take this example of an obsolete (with only 2 reported) on Collector's Universe. The buyer reported he only paid $280 (+ Buyer's Premium). Another collector reported that many PMG notes sold for less than estimates in the UK. A savvy Canadian collector has picked up on this instability (the opportunities it may present) as well on the Canadian Paper section of CCF. Scarce Canadian replacements are very tough to buy. Many businesses have just survived a pandemic but cannot further endure the rollercoaster global market swings. All of this uncertainty may be a good thing for those who can keep cool while new market trends appear. At the same time, social media outlets like Reddit continue to keep the hobby rolling & in collectors' minds.
May 24th 2025 I regularly checked Reddit's (PaperMoney) sub & have found a lot of new collectors acquiring their sets from exchange outlets. This was one of the reasons for my May 17th entry (my own trip to an exchange outlet) to test how successful I would be. It was my 2nd trip there in a week and I had the same lady serve me. She was a bit more compliant in trying to find good, Uncirculated banknotes though she handled the notes more than I would have cared. She was missing half the currencies I asked for (Japan, Bahamas, East Caribbean States) & gave me 500.00 JMD (Jamaican Dollars) that was VF at best. Not sure what I am going to do with that as I have no plans to visit Jamaica any time soon! (VF polymer is not collectible IMO). I was also glad to see a lot of collectors finding paper money an interesting hobby (or outlet).
May 17th 2025 I went to my local exchange office and bought 4 Swiss denominations: a 10, 20, 50 & 100 CHF. The 10 CHF is probably EF to AU & in the worst condition while the 20 CHF is definitely UNC. This 20 was printed in 2016 while the 100 CHF was printed in 2020. After checking the Numista entry on the 9th series of the CHF, I learned a bit about all the various CHF security features and how the date is the first two numbers in the prefix. The note is an artistic marvel but I also find the design a little busy & the 4 denominations were quite expensive (with the CAD being so weak at the time). I will probably keep looking for an UNC 10 & suspect the rather old printing dates (the UNC 20 CHF being printed 9 years ago) does not bode well for the future of paper money in Switzerland!
May 10th 2025 I have not been in a position to buy banknotes lately but have been busy re-organizing my collections. A few collector friends have reached out and told me that they were "stepping back" from acquiring new notes. I think its always a great idea to step back from acquiring and to focus on organizing (or other aspects of the hobby). I still enjoy checking out the forums to see what interest other collectors. Here is a Numista post on dehumidifiers which I purchased in February (to keep my World Doubles collection extra dry/preserved). Most collectors appreciate complete sets & specialized collections rather expansive (general interests) sets. Is it time to get more specific or selective? These down times can be a good pivot point when selecting how our collector goals have evolved. Ask yourself questions (is it time to revise my goals?) Having fun sometimes means stepping back & taking a breather. Enjoy!
May 3rd 2025 Back in 2021, a collector from the Canadian Paper Money Forum wondered how much a short BSW $20 prefix would fetch (see image of another BSW $20 above). It was noted that the short prefix (240,000 but likely 90,000) had an UNC Charlton Book Value of $40 in 2021. This seemed ludicrously low considering only about a dozen collectors had found a BSW $20.00. A member from Charlton's pricing panel replied that the panel had kept the figures low because of the M-C HBG $5.00. This note did not appear for 2 years & was mistakenly considered scarce (& Charlton raised the HBG prefix value quite high too soon). Once the Bank of Canada dumped two to three million of the HBG prefix into circulation, the panel had to scramble & lower the HBG values on their tables (which they don't like to do). A CPMF pricing panel replied that they did not want to erroneously pin the value too high on the BSW (& repeat the "HBG" fiasco). Just recently, Geoffrey Bell auctioned a BSC VF35 BSW & it sold for $630 (+ tax)! The market value of this scarce prefix is nearly eight times higher than the Charlton BV (now $80 for VF). This note was offered on Bell's 'Warm Up" auction which was a Tuesday night (not his Friday "big note" auction). I think it is safe to say that "one must keep one's ear to the ground" as a collector & if he/she knows the pulse of the collecting community, can safely ignore Book Value's (like Charlton's)! Congratulations to the new owner of the scarce BSW $20 (it is the best example I have seen).
April 26th 2025 I have just discovered that my WORLD MOTIF page was not functioning correctly (I found this from an old Queen Elizabeth II thread I resurrected on Numista). I suspect it got buried somehow & I hope I have fixed the problem once & for all. I truly hope this doesn't happen again! Please contact me if you find a page that is not functioning correctly. Thanks to all those collectors who have been purchasing my doubles! Once again I would like to stress to those starting out that it is important to develop collector goals or pick a theme (Animals, Technology, Scientists, etc) & try to stick to that theme. I mean it is certainly great to branch out but always go back (& further develop) your original theme. Having an theme/motif which has been deeply discovered can be much more rewarding than diversity or lack of focus (a bit of this & bit of that). Trust me folks as I have often gone astray (or on tangents).
April 19th 2025 I have found it increasingly difficult to buy certain series from many of the nations I regularly collect from on eBay. I have found that many QEII notes from Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, East Caribbean, Falklands, Fiji, Jersey, Mauritius, Solomon Islands, Trinidad & New Zealand quite tough to find. When I do find a note from these nations, its price has gone through the roof. Forget about Bermuda, Seychelles or Rhodesia! This has made me turn to other online banknote sellers/sources beyond eBay. I rarely even bother checking QEII nations because most were too expensive before (& during) the pandemic. I used to ignore the later (post QEII) versions from Bahamas but I have been trying to catch up recenty (get some of the more accessible denominations 1990-2000 $5 & $10). I also want to buy the later series of $20 from the Bahamas but have found these quite elusive. I really regret not trying harder quite a long time ago as I would be very happy to own any of the $20 versions from the Bahamas about now! Oh well, the hunt goes on!
April 12th 2025 It is clear by the chatter on the forums that many collectors will be taking a break from the hobby. Whether that is due to the tariffs on banknotes won from international auctions or for other reasons is unclear. Take this PMF link to review whether you may be affected by an import tariffs if you live in the US & have a won a collectible item (coin/banknote) from an international auction. I think it is healthy (especially for one's pocketbook) to take breaks from the hobby. However, I also feel its good to keep tuning into the forums & keep learning, whether one is buying (or not). Also, during hobby breaks, it may be a great time to organize, compile an inventory, upgrade poor holders/sleeves, binders &/or re-examine your storage options. I bought 2 more dehumidifiers for my storage drawers & will be re-organizing my collection in the months ahead.
April 5th 2025 I have tried to stay away from the topic of politics in my weekly reflections. However, after several months as POTUS, Donald Trump has managed to upend the stock market after introducing arbitrary trade tariffs, effectively shutting down global trade with the largest economy in the world. This has caused many businesses to shut down in Canada & in many other countries worldwide. Such global economic uncertainty is bound to have a negative impact on the collectibles (& other hobbies) across the world. President Trump recently encouraged investors to "buy into the stock market" as if they have an endless supply of cash at their disposal. I'm sure that is exactly what he and Elon Musk are doing. There may be a few collectors who may not be impacted by the current economic chaos, who can make a significant purchase. For the rest of us (who have set incomes & pay the price for political trade wars) the future is too uncertain to pay out on collectibles. There will be a natural softening of the market since several collectors have mortgages to pay (& priorities beyond collecting). So, yes, President Trump's tariff war will likely send many nations into a recession & many people will not be in a position to buy coins or banknotes. If you have been looking to buy the tough first series of certain nations, the next four years may be your opportunity (provided that the notes come to market). Keep in mind, many individuals will not wish to sell their personal collections (unless there is a death in the family). Let's keep our fingers crossed that the political-economic situation (& current US trade policies) change (or improve) rather than further deteriorate!
March 29th 2025 Two weeks ago I won this P-72a (2007) $5.00 from the Bahamas on eBay from a seller called Yuri111. Many of you who collect World notes may know who I am referring to since he's been a longtime, popular "Power Seller." A day or 2 after I won, Yuri contacted me to say he didn't have P-72a but had run out. I must admit I was a very disappointed since I've bought many notes from him over the years & this was the 2nd (or 3rd) time he's come back to me with not having what I won/purchased (the last time it was a Netherlands Antilles lot of 3 One Guilders). Anyway, to make a long story short, we messaged each other a few times & he finally got the message that I wanted this 2007 $5.00 note (to go along with my P-72A 2013 version). Yuri kept me up-to-date with the progress of my order by sending updates. He contacted his supplier for the desired $5.00 note (P-72a 2007 version from Bahamas). He finally messaged me that the notes were on the way last week. I also bought a P-73a Jamaican $50 from 1988 & 2 notes from Nigeria. Here's the $50 from Jamaica posted on CCF which was the 2nd note I was after. It has a NRI of 50 which I would consider fairly tough. The point of today's post is that I encourage you to try to hold your seller to their promise to deliver what they had listed (don't accept alternatives unless you absolutely must).
March 22nd 2025 Later in the week, I posed the question of what happened to the first series of the Surinamese Dollar (2004-2009) on Numista. This topic was discussed in my second bullet on March 8th so I won't repeat the topic here. After posting this thread (& with only 1 reply) I realized that most World Collectors are not focussing on tough nations. Instead, they're chasing (or acquiring): polymer notes, recent 2025 releases, UVA or UVB & other security features, hyperinflation nations (like the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion) & looking for notes they can pick up for current exchange value. I can't stress enough how unfulfilling some of these "FACE VALUE" & "ONE example from EACH nation" goals can be! One of the reasons I consider these pursuits "meaningless or unfulfilling" is that any goal to acquire super cheap usually means that the notes will likely have minor collector value/interest! Why not try for UNC denominations & nations/denominations/series that are tough (yet still inexpensive)? There are several which I have been writing about for six years! All you have to do, as a World collector, is look/check your online resources (such as the Numista Rarity Index on Numista). Typically, any small island nation will issue only small quantities so that their mid to high denominations will have NRI numbers that are relatively high (65+ which is high compared to larger nations!) I can think of several (off the top of my head) like Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman, Cuba, D.R., East Caribbean, Falkland, Fiji, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Ireland, Jamaica, Macau, Solomon Islands, Trinidad to name just a few. Many of these nations (and even Central/South American & other mainland nations) have small issues as we march back in time. And most of them have great themes/motifs too (birds, reptiles, ships, planes, etc) if you're not into collecting by country. Here's a link to a collector who focuses on Maldives Banknotes. I am not suggesting you focus only on one country (you decide) but most of the notes you will see in that link are tough (& expensive & collectible). If you are interested in collecting by motif or theme, I suggest you take this link on World Motifs. If you are focussing on Pre-Euro or American Banknote Company printed notes GREAT! It really doesn't matter what "turns you on" so long as you have a specific objective in mind! Happy collecting!
March 15th 2025 I replied to a question regarding "If Mark Carney becomes PM?" here on the Canadian Paper Money Forum. Do I believe that it will make Macklem Carney (M-C) signed notes worth more? Yes & no: there really is no clear cut prediction since many have the signature. But there were only limited prefixes of the Journey series released & the fact that Tiff Macklem is the current Governor of the Bank of Canada while Mark Carney is the acting Prime Minister. It may attract a few new collectors (especially collectors who may wish to get the tough prefixes). There may be a small bump of interest in those series & certain tougher Journey prefixes as well.
March 8th 2025 If you haven't read the last 3 weeks entries on grading, comparing two TPG companies grades or on processing a banknote, then I suggest you take the time to review. My suggestion to you is to learn to grade & try to source only non-processed notes first & foremost. Pay for an original note since it will retain its value & be easier to sell down the road.
Today, I will jump into what I feel are good (collectible) WORLD nations to seek. First & foremost, I will NOT not tie up money in high denominations. Another rule of thumb I follow is to only seek UNC (or AU for very tough varieties) of modern series. Just recently, I returned a 1970's Belgium banknote that was described as GEM UNC but had evidence of toning on the top border. Pre-Euros are popular & I discovered 2002 Euros would be ideal to keep. I have endorsed picking up the first 2002 Wim Duisenberg Euros in UNC but I would only look for 50 Euro denominations & lower (5,10,20). I would also be researching which nations (prefixes) to seek (L-Finland, Y-Greece or T-Ireland?) These were issued in LOW numbers (as explained in the above Numista link). My 2004 trip to Europe tipped me off when I found mostly new "Trichet" versions. I used cash exclusively & found only 1 or 2 "Duisenberg" notes in change which were limp & far too circulated to keep. I sought UNC Duisenberg low denominations immediately but found they were priced sky-high. I "bit the bullet" & bought a few UNC examples just the same. Today, collectors are beginning to accept that these initial varieties are tough (& my expenditure has begun to pay off).
I have also been a longtime fan of island nations with small issues which includes any Caribbean country. Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, East Caribbean States & Bahamas all got my attention. I have also tried to catch up with some South & Central American nations. After a visit to beautiful Costa Rica, I have tried to acquire some notes & discovered that many 1950-1980 examples can be quite tough (& expensive). Just recently, I saw an interesting thread on the PMF about Suriname 2006 $10. When I checked the Numista link provided by @tigertrader, I soon discovered that it wasn't just the 2006 $10 that was tough, but so were all the other dates & denominations ($5.00, $20.00, $50.00 & $100). In fact, even the 2004 $1.00 & $2.50 were tough (according to Numista NRI data*)! The Suriname 2004 series was a currency reform year (1000 Guldens for $1.00) due to hyperinflation so the 2004 scarcity makes sense! If you are going to venture into WORLD currency, I suggest you dig around a bit online (through forums) & discover which modern day series are tough: you will be surprised what you can learn/pick up (& you don't have to break the bank to own one, or more, in UNC).
*Numista Rarity Index: is a function of the # of collectors who own said note/who also wish to trade the same note. I consider an NRI of 65, or higher, to be a relatively safe bet the note/series is tough (& collectible). When looking up the NRI remember that some NRI's may be low but then check the varieties: for example, the 2002 20 Euro has a NRI of 12 but then note the 3 signature & many national varieties. You will soon discover that most 20 Euros are the Trichet/Draghi signatures & the majority of Duisenberg nations come from Germany, Spain & France.
March 1st 2025 In the event that you are adamantly opposed to TPG, I hope you will look at these two posts from Coin Community Forum Canadian Banknote Section. In the first post by CityofKooks, the collector enquires about the grade of a 1937 $50.00 note which looks EF at first glance. However, if one compares his note with a specimen $50 (from CoinsandCanada) it will become immediately obvious that the colour of the note is far too light. As the CCF collectors on the thread observed, the note's tint/under-print looks washed & pressed. The same observations can be made for the collectors 2nd post on a 1937 $2.00 note. It too, has colour that is much lighter than the $2,00 specimen from CoinsandCanada). This means that the note is apparent UNC (more like washed/pressed AU). As "walk2dwater" observes, it is missing planchettes (green security dots seen on the Osborne note posted) and was likely washed as well. Typically, when one buys a TPG note with the EPQ (or Original designation in Canada), this verifies the note hasn't been washed/pressed. It helps, if you are looking for expensive original notes that have not been processed (not washed, nor pressed). Original (EPQ) notes, overall, tend to be harder to find since collectors (& shady dealers) processed notes quite regularly in the past. Why process a note? In order to make the dirty note look cleaner, or an apparent (higher) grade than it really is (& make more money selling it)!
February 22nd 2025 I would like you to re-read my Febuary 1st observation. The C&C site webmaster (@Lightw4re) adds more excellent examples of two separate TPG holders (with same note) but improved/higher PMG grades. Yesterday, I added (as Nota_Phil) another reply- the main gist is that TPG helped decrease the # of processed notes being passed off as "original or EPQ." When I got back into the hobby in 2003 & went to an RCNA show in 2006, TPG was on everybody's mind since this was when PMG was well on its way to becoming the primary certifier of high valued notes. I recall never being convinced that it was necessary to buy a TPG note and was very "anti-certification" at the time. However, as the years passed, I discovered that "original" notes became more and more significant. It started with the advice a highly respected dealer, Don Olmstead, gave to me. He examined a 1935 $10 (that I had just bought) & showed me some of the red flags which indicated it had been washed/pressed. He reminded everyone who sat at our table for lunch, that finding an original note was a lot tougher than finding a processed (non-EPQ) note. You don't have to be involved in this hobby very long, to realize how true Don's words were (& still hold true). I would be surprised if 25% of the pre-1954 notes we see haven't been processed. Unfortunately, you could also have a minor pinhole, a pen mark, a tiny bit of glue or some other impairment to the paper & lose the EPQ since the paper will no longer be original (like it was when the note was produced). Collectors soon realize the significance of getting an original note when they collect tougher series too (where EPQ/Original is rarely assigned). One doesn't get great advice by staying home or just reading forum posts. Remember that it pays to speak to other collectors & dealers. Now that spring is around the corner, be sure to try to attend a show in your area. You can stock up on supplies, check out TPG notes yourself & gain important insights that may be intangible online.
February 15th 2025 I want to cover the "pros & cons" to submitting/buying Third Party Graded notes again (as I did 2 weeks ago with the C&C thread: below). I never tire of the subject because it (& grading) are so vital to our hobby. Practicing how to grade critically will save you money both short & long term. The only way to improve your grading game is by doing it & making a few blunders. We all make mistakes with grading (as we learn) & there's no shame in that. The more open you can be to learning to grade accurately, the happier you will be as a collector. For this reason, I will end today's entry with a few tips on grading. Here's a thread from our Canadian Paper Money Forum started by Banknotecollector which provides different perspectives on the subject of buying "Raw vs. Graded Bills." For me, I tend to buy both graded & ungraded provided I can be sure I'm purchasing UNC World (or Bank of Canada) notes. For super tough varieties, UNC is not always realistic so I try for VF EPQ or better. To help me decide on which TPG co., I typically look at past auction sites such as: Heritage Auctions, Stacks & Bowers & The Canadian Numismatic Company (which often features many). I have formed certain biases towards companies which supply sealed holders which appear professional & are accepted worldwide. I will make exceptions. Here's an example of a low serial number graded UNC60 by CCCS on the last TCNC Spring Auction. When I look at both the front (& back) of this note, I don't see a grade less than Choice UNC 63 (for being poorly centred) but CCCS has awarded it UNC 60. I would consider this note conservatively graded (3 points lower than it should be) but would like to point out that the scans are quite bright (& that makes it difficult to discern slight handling/imperfections). The consecutively # notes are all UNC 60's until the #10 note which is awarded an UNC 62. For me, the big picture might influence me that the certifier was been exceptionally conservative (biased to undergrade). I suspect he discovered some handling in one or two notes & assumed the rest were the UNC 60 but very few TPG award UNC 60 (BCS is one of them). The #10 note has the most even borders (well centred) & would more likely score an UNC 64 by PMG standards. I suspect that even BCS would likely score the #10 note higher today than he would have 5 years ago. (I personally believe he's relaxed his standards). Notes conservatively graded (like these) work in a collector's favour b/c many US bidders won't even inspect UNC 60, 62 or even 64 notes! Remember that the lower # of bidders works in you favour. I also like to inspect notes graded VF to EF with no EPQ to see if I can spot what eliminated the "original" status. This helps my grading standards & spotting issues. Here's an EF 1973 $1.00 with a dramatic cutting error graded by Legacy (& no PPQ). Can you find the spots, the folded corners & other problem areas shown on the back? The closer you inspect these type of notes (& the more you do it) you will improve on finding problem areas! Be prepared to find problems on TPG AU & UNC EPQ grades! Remember that certifiers are human and will make mistakes & you MUST only trust/rely on yourself to be the final judge. This is why it is so critical for you to learn to grade.
My tips for grading are -always use the magnifying option and zoom in the areas that show wear (corners, centre edges of the paper, check microprint for smudge appearances, and all borders). I have found a lot of staple holes, minor ink/rust spots, and minor missing design spots-which indicate note has been processed. I also find a lot of top border edges which look asymmetrical (not quite linear) which suggest the note was soft-folded & placed in a wallet (carefully). I have found a few of these on UNC 64 EPQ which shouldn't grade higher than AU 50 EPQ! I have seen a lot of EPQ notes with these flaws on just about every TPG there is out there so the bottom line is just keep inspecting (practice grading) & "buy the note- not the holder!" Once you get the hang of this- it will become "2nd nature" to closely examine any note you plan on buying. Thanks to Banknotecollector for bringing up this important topic & following my weekly "Collector's Corner" entries on this site! Thanks for the compliments posted on the CPMF too!
February 8th 2025 On top of every banknote collector's mind is usually "where can I obtain UNC banknotes?" This was once a "no-brainer" because eBay at one time had low seller fees & incentives for sellers to offer True Auction style Listings (TAsL) with LOW start prices, like $0.99! Twenty years ago, one bought for true market value & the buyer had to pay zero "juice" (commissions/fees) to the auction house. Collectors snagged great deals all the time back then (including your's sincerely for CDN notes). The sellers paid the fees but they were minor compared to today's fees. This goes for any online platform & nobody has really challenged eBay's supremacy for collectibles. So TODAY, most eBay sellers must sell using Buy It Now (BIN), raising prices to cover their fees/extras. Power Sellers pay monthly fees & pay less (overall compared to small-time individual sellers) but they must sell VOLUME to achieve this. Plus, their fees add up & they must be factored into their pricing (passed onto you, me, the average collector). Today, the bottom line is, you will find more expensive BIN items & virtually NO TAsL items. Trying to source inexpensive UNC notes (from older/tougher series) is a huge challenge these days! This will bode well for the Local Coin Shops (LCS) but not for online dealers/sellers (nor the collector). Here is a Numista link that was started with the intention to share info on good eBay & other sellers. My favourite sellers are other collectors from other forums. I also mention Noteshobby who has always kept his prices/postage low (& provided decent service). The best thing about Noteshobby is that he has his own site & offers a 5% discount which can offset the cost of shipping. The worst thing about Noteshobby is that he offers a lot of dealer stock & he seldom offers tougher notes from tougher series (or when he does, they just sell-out fast!)
February 1st 2025 I am going to have to make today's entry short. I want you to consider what goes into grading a note by reading this thread on CoinsandCanada thread. The thread shows the same note certified by two different Third Party Graders and the results are quite dramatic. It was started by the webmaster of C&C and it is a great topic that is worthy of much discussion. If you are at a show or with other collectors, never fear of bringing up grading & see how you measure up to others. Any time one really finds a forum discussing grading, I read it over carefully because I really have turned 180 degrees around on this topic (I used to be quite negative towards certification, until I wanted to buy some original 1935 examples). So I urge you to review the C&C thread and think about the grades you see (& the replies collectors submit). There are some interesting links too I've added too. Till next week!
January 25th 2025 Sometimes I read posts from NEW collectors with enquiries like this Numista thread: where can one go for fun (less serious & just basic feedback on their coins)? I agree with all the respondents (just try to give Numista some time, go back to it & give it a 2nd or 3rd try) but if you are looking for a more basic forum, I would recommend checking out: CoinsandCanada ; Coin Community Forum (CCF) or Coin Talk. These are all fun forums (more laid back environments) to hang out & post images of coins you found in circulation. They also have plenty of experts who will steer collectors in the right direction (but gently so) & some threads on more serious coins/notes. CCF has a fairly strict webmaster who won't tolerate any type of language or bullying so that is always good. One time, I replied to a Coin Talk thread where the collector bought an album of well circulated world notes. Many notes were in dreadful ("Fair" to "Good" condition) & the poster was asking for info on their value. I replied that "most" of the notes were in fairly uncollectible condition (pieces missing, etc) & I got a private message (PM) from another collector. He wrote that he "wished I was more supportive & less negative" with my feedback. I must admit that he was correct (I was probably a bit too harsh) so I wrote a 2nd reply to that thread stating that there were some great tough notes in the album (which was true). Sometimes, us older, more weathered collectors can become a tad too serious (& we need to lighten up)! Laugh Out Loud!
January 18th 2025 One of the oldest debates within the hobby of collecting coins & banknotes is "to grade or not to grade." If you were to search my ARCHIVES of Collector Corner entries, you'd find that I have addressed this topic before. Most collectors who submit want the banknote in question to be a certain "tier/calibre" (& a minimum value/grade). If the note is VF 30 they would prefer it to be tough in mid grades, like a VF 35 EPQ French Bank Du Canada $10.00. If the note were a later series or much more accessible, such as a 1954 Devil Face $10.00 than nothing less than UNC 64 condition (would be the collectors guess). For PMG & American collectors the cost to grade each note can be expensive (the higher the tier) so they may have an even higher threshold than Canadian/World collectors who employ bulk submissions or different TPGs (not PMG). They may wish to grade Large size exclusively and submit only 2 digit/solid radars &/or errors in AU & up for small size. But, in each case, collectors have a threshold of what they will certify. It is typically several times ( 20 to 1000X FV) or a minimum (high) Book Value & most collectors will submit only high grades (seeking a Gem UNC 66 EPQ at least). They may not always get the grade they seek, but that's another story. Some US collectors will seek super gems (UNC 67-70) but the threshold will depend on what type of note (how tough) the note is being graded (much less for Nationals). Most Canadian collectors would accept much lower numbers for 1935 French & Dominion of Canada notes. Here's an interesting thread that questions the wisdom to cerify. Take a look at what some of the collectors from the Paper Money forum state in this TPG Grading Services vs "Old School" thread. As the hobby matures and more collectors become inspired, I am sure these type of debates (whether to grade or not to grade) will diminish, but there will always remain certain thresholds for the more advanced collectors (who will only conisder higher tiered notes).
January 11th 2025 I have received two letters from Heritage Auctions (HA) that to me, seem to be good omens for our numismatic hobby. The 1st letter is a request that I consign parts of my collection with them since this may be the best time (opportunity) to do so. I have received letters from HA with the same interest in the past but never one that made this additional claim: "And traditional collector coins and notes are forming new, higher price structures in numerous areas, resulting in record-high rewards for collectors choosing to leverage the current numismatic market."
"Where is the growth coming from? An expanded collector base, driving up demand." Usually HA seeks that rare note (or coin) that a collector may not know he/she possesses (a rarity) but this letter aims for traditional (or fairly regular) coins/banknotes due to the increase in the number of collectors. This is exciting news (that our regular items are being sought & there are more coin/paper money collectors buying them) if Raiden Honaker, HA Consignment Director, is correct. I do believe the hobby can accommodate more banknote collectors! If this is a result of social media, the pandemic or any other factor, I'm okay with that!
The 2nd letter comes from Andrew Winger, a new independent Consignment Director from HA based in Canada. This seems to bode well for the hobby as HA obviously must feel confident that the Canadian collector market must be robust enough to deserve their very own consignment staff!
January 4th 2025 Below are an early & late entry from 2024. Each observation, I believe, are important reminders for the ocassional collector and those who are just starting out. I have moved all the remaining 2024 entries to their appropriate archive. Please scroll below to see the changes. Happy New Year & may 2025 see you accomplish some of your collector goals!