2022 July 24 The Skourtes Collection of Fancy Serial Number $2 FRNs Showcase Auction - Heritage
Constantine
Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭
Hello Friends,
I just wanted everyone who I know here on this forum to hear it from me directly that my entire $2 and U.S. currency collection will be auctioned as a standalone auction with Heritage. Some of you will recognize my name on the auction title; and I also never told anyone about my decision. I hope it is ok to discuss all of this here on the forum with you.
You should be able to start seeing auction previews in the upcoming days. There are some notes up now with many more to be added and get back from grading. The auction ends on Sunday, July 24th.
I have been working on this collection for the last 15 years and it has brought a tremendous amount of experiences, emotions, and friendships in my life. I have always jokingly thought that my collection was built by a crazed person driven by the love of the two dollar bill and fancy serial numbers. It is also very true! The obsession has kept my focus over the years and my passion for the hobby has helped me build what I humbly feel is a two dollar bill collection that I am very proud of. Simply said, I feel that now is the right time to let everything go into the hands of others. Myself and my family are in a great period in our lives right now. I am simply letting that “maniac” free and wish to use the proceeds for a project that is focused on us together.
For a little background, this is my entire collection and nothing was cherrypicked by others. The highlight of the collection is the fancy serial two dollar notes. I also was focused on high grade $2 FRN, errors, stamp & postmarks, sheets, BEP products, lowballs, and scarce block notes. I was always focused and stubborn about condition. Even if the label had a high grade, eye appeal was important. Or it couldn't just be a fancy serial number like a regular radar, but one that was zero binary or all 1s and 2s etc. I never filled holes, I always wanted the best example of what I could afford.
There are also many items that are not two dollar related such as fancy serial 1928 FRNs, Oregon Nationals & Depression Scrip, and American Liberty Dollars. I would be happy to share any knowledge I have of a note if you send me a PM and will maintain objectivity and discretion. There are some nuggets here for any budget.
Most importantly, I have honestly made some very good friends through this hobby and forum. I have also learned far more knowledge from the experts here that I have ever learned from on my own. From great posts to personal conversations, I thank you all. Thank you collectors and dealers for helping to build this collection because many of these notes came for your collections and inventory.
Best, Michael
Comments
Thank you for all your contributions, as well as knowledge to the field of collecting... I have my eye on the lowball notes listed!
Lowball Sacagawea Dollars (PO01-VF35)
--- SUCCESSFUL BST TRANSACTIONS ---
braddick, Omegaraptor, JWP, EagleScout2017, OAKSTAR, Twobitcollector, boxerdad, OKCC, Fancycashcom, JimW, MWallace, Tookybandit, TeacherCollector, jeffas1974, mainejoe, kansasman, Cent1225, SurfinxHI, Soldi, Histman, CurrenSee, jclovescoins, Outhaul, Timbuk3, LEMONHEAD_PENNY, daverickey, Maxcrusha, RedSeals
I've seen your collection up for auction at HA & I must say some very impressive serial numbers. If you're into double-whammies (like low # stars), errors, tough Two Dollar FRB' (blocks) & other special serial numbers, this is the auction for you!
**https://sites.google.com/view/notaphilycculture/collecting-banknotes **
31 notes came back today from PCGS Banknote that were submitted for crossover from PCGS Currency. 11 of these were 69 PPQs with most being Top Pop for either PCGS Banknote or PMG, and highlights of my high grade set. All 11 crossed over to the new PCGS Banknote service. Also, one of my most sentimental notes since at the time it was my only 70 PPQ, and was self submitted raw many years ago crossed over to PCGS Banknote as a 70 PPQ as well. This note was shown and discussed while talking about my collection in The Two Dollar Bill Documentary (https://tinyurl.com/yc5sycud). Nice to see it in a new suit!
$2 2003A Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Banknote Seventy Gem Unc 70 PPQ
https://currency.ha.com/itm/small-size/federal-reserve-notes/fr-1938-e-2-2003a-federal-reserve-note-pcgs-banknote-seventy-gem-unc-70-ppq-what-price-perfection-this-hugely-margined-richmond/p/62250-11385.s?ic2=myconsignmentspage-lotlinks-12202013&tab=MyConsignment-112816
Also this note was purchased privately at the 2009 Memphis Paper Money Show and has not been on the market before. This is one of my favorite errors considering how dark the back to offset printing is and also Gem grade as well.
Full Face to Back Offset Error Fr. 1935-H $2 1976 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Gem New 65PPQ
https://currency.ha.com/itm/error-notes/offsets/full-face-to-back-offset-error-fr-1935-h-2-1976-federal-reserve-note-pcgs-gem-new-65ppq-an-attractive-full-face-to-back-offset/p/62250-11384.s?ic2=myconsignmentspage-lotlinks-12202013&tab=MyConsignment-112816
If you couldn’t tell from looking at the lots Sevens were my favorite number and many of the fancies have a Zero/Seven combo. One of the toughest was for Red Seals and one of my favorites….
Repeater Serial Number 70777077 $2 1953B Legal Tender Note. PCGS Banknote Superb Gem Unc 67 PPQ
https://currency.ha.com/itm/small-size/legal-tender-notes/repeater-serial-number-70777077-fr-1511-2-1953b-legal-tender-note-pcgs-banknote-superb-gem-unc-67-ppq-a-neat-repeater-serial/p/62250-11386.s?ic2=myconsignmentspage-lotlinks-12202013&tab=MyConsignment-112816
Yes, this is serial number 7 which is great, but it is the high grade that always stood out to me. 67PPQ remains Top Pop for both grading services. The 2003 L Stars were notoriously cut badly by the BEP, and Gem and above is very difficult because centering is so poor.
Low Serial Number 7 Fr. 1937-L* $2 2003 Federal Reserve Star Note. PCGS Banknote Superb Gem Unc 67 PPQ
https://currency.ha.com/itm/small-size/federal-reserve-notes/low-serial-number-7-fr-1937-l-2-2003-federal-reserve-star-note-pcgs-banknote-superb-gem-unc-67-ppq-a-lovely-example-of-this-san/p/62250-11389.s?ic2=myconsignmentspage-lotlinks-12202013&tab=MyConsignment-112816
Happy July 4th and a note to celebrate it with as it was stamped and postmarked on Independence Day in 1976.Note the ending serial of the note is also 1976!
https://currency.ha.com/itm/federal-reserve-notes/postally-cancelled-july-4-1976-fr-1935-j-2-1976-federal-reserve-note-pcgs-very-choice-new-64ppq/a/62250-94143.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
Very nice. Happy 4th to you as well. Placed a healthy bid on the lowball 2's... Those will go great with my 2013 Good 4.
Lowball Sacagawea Dollars (PO01-VF35)
--- SUCCESSFUL BST TRANSACTIONS ---
braddick, Omegaraptor, JWP, EagleScout2017, OAKSTAR, Twobitcollector, boxerdad, OKCC, Fancycashcom, JimW, MWallace, Tookybandit, TeacherCollector, jeffas1974, mainejoe, kansasman, Cent1225, SurfinxHI, Soldi, Histman, CurrenSee, jclovescoins, Outhaul, Timbuk3, LEMONHEAD_PENNY, daverickey, Maxcrusha, RedSeals
We’re you given any advice about leaving some of your notes in the old PCGS holders @Constantine ?
I believe that PCGS Currency graded notes accurately and fairly. There was a balance between marketability however between the two current grading companies. Also, I personally value PCGS Currency on par for the most part, because once again the grades are accurate. Heritage was given discretion regarding regrading, along with my comments.