collector's corner:

Weekly:

l add to my "Collector's Corner" page where I share personal opinions & RECENT OBSERVATIONS.  Note the Notaphilyc Reads page which contains links to interesting online articles I have discovered re: some aspect of this gr8t hobby.  Also check out my videos below & Social Media Links. Trust me folks, after 50 years of collecting & 5 years of contributing to this site, there's a whole lot of info for one to take in on Notaphilyc Culture.  Due to the current Canada Post strike:  contact me if you see any duplicates you like & I will place them on HOLD:

Bank of Canada Duplicates

World duplicates

MONTHLY: 

After each month passes, I add to my MONEY MARKET link for tips on how the market for collecting currency seems to have been holding up.  These are opinions based on observations, chatter on US/World forums, and may or may not be relevant to you as a buyer (but I do try my best to give an informed opinion).  Check out this article on The 7 coolest currencies in the world by Morgan Croissant.  I added a WORLD MOTIF page which I hope may inspire you. My intention is to help new collectors who may wish to form 1 or 2 collector goals to form SETS of what they wish to collect. I hope you can also draw the line on what NOT TO COLLECT so what you do collect only becomes better & better.

Try the "Collecting Banknotes" form quiz & submit.  If you're new to this site then you may want to take a look around before taking the quiz.  Remember: this quiz is based on strategies & info I have gathered for the past 50 or so years of collecting CDN banknotes & is IMO only.  Do not consider it "Gospel" (even if I do) or a "get-rich-quick" money scheme. That is my disclaimer & I will take no responsibility whatsoever from anyone who goes broke collecting world currency.  Some strategies may prove helpful while others may not. You must become your own judge on that case.

• View the Taking note: Currency Collector's Corner blog & add your comments/observations.

• If you'd like to leave a comment please drop an email to notaphilyc@gmail.com, (& I will post them if you wish). 

• ALSO feel free to drop a line from one of the forums such as PMF, CPMF or CCF.  I will reply eventually.

money market

recent observations:

• 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 (from Bahamas -which I ended for much less than what I would have paid if it were a BIN purchase).  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!

• Scroll below for two 2024 entries I have left on this page. Below those are the links to the ARCHIVED Collector Corner entries.

Bank of Canada Duplicates

World duplicates

Here's 2 pertinent entries from 2024:

• 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)! 

• 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 is a mixed bag).  Some social media sites are inhabited by "wannabe experts" 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 "planet" 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 you need to list each item as correctly/clearly as possible.  Employ cropped photos/images which show off the note clearly.  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 a North American market (if I was selling CDN or US notes) when buyers are awake & available to bid. Times may differ for other regions.   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 has distinct advantages: less expensive than eBay, correct postage & better quality notes.  eBay has high seller fees so this has been factored into a seller's BIN price.  Many eBay sellers don't grade accurately.  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 to your hobby the less you will learn about it. 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 to attend shows together. Later, we dined and 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 dropped into a 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. 

• 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 (& who you admire). 

• Be careful what you consume as gospel: there is a lot of useful information out there! Conversely, there's a lot of misleading information.  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 dubious 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! Who needs a commemorative note with a big cardboard folder? 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 & you will know what you seek! 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. It doesn't pay to just peruse. Ask questions & get involved. The more you're involved the more you will progress.

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

• Take the 2024 ARCHIVED ENTRIES link below for earlier observations.

2024

archived entries

Take this link for observation on the Money MARKET.  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 this site.  

Previous years have been archived below:

2022 Archived Entries

2020 Archived Entries

Above is BC-9b or P-46b featuring HM QEII as a child on this cropped image of a small sealed 1935 $20.00. This note will always remain super popular.

PARt 4: (which nations should I collect?)

This video takes Part 3 to the next level: examining what countries are popular enough to have a solid "fan base" or buyer's market.  I consider pre-Euro, Euros and Commonwealth nations  that have never cooled down in the world market.  Check out what I believe are "hot" buys and what "not" to buy:

Video 5: Grading basics, references & how to source banknotes:

My guest, David Sykes, first looks at Third Party Graded (TPG) banknotes and how they've reached their designated grades.  Then, using Charlton Guide to Canadian Government Paper Money, David continues to examine some circulated examples (VF and less).  The point is: you should start trying to assess a note's condition asap!  Don't just rely on TPG holders! Finally, I urge you to use Internet sources to familiarize yourself with examples of notes and how to acquire decent collectible banknotes.

video 6: the key to selling is buying selectively:

This video takes Video #4 to the next level, examining smaller nations, discontinued currency & how to acquire collectible lots for less. Keep your costs down and be super selective.  Buy with the intent to sell & during world market instability. Sell those desirable extras when outlooks are more "bullish."  

video 7:

This is my one year anniversary video.  Essentially, I've boiled down most of what I feel is the essential stuff you need to know in order to collect world banknotes during these unprecedented times.  I will cover other topics in my next video. 

recent pick ups: