The Currency Market Overall -- Bullish, Bearish, Where Are We ?

GoldFinger1969

I mentioned in another thread that I added another edition of a U.S. currency book with pricing. I realize the prices are just an approximation but they are better than nothing. I find comparing the prices for the same U.S. bills 7-10 years apart instructive to see what has happened in the past.

It got me thinking....what HAS been the trend in U.S. currency/bill prices the last 15 years or so since the Great Financial Crisis of 2008-09 ? I know for coins we had a major bear market as evidenced by the PCGS 3000 Index. Went down sharply into 2020 and since have reversed.

Is there a price index for currency bills ? Does anybody know how the U.S. currency market has done over the last 15 years ? Prices up, down, or flattish ?

Based on my admittedly beginner level of experience and not someone who has access to The Greensheet or sees dealer prices frequently....it appears that except for certain "trophy" bills that most bills in the $500 - $15,000 range are FLAT or even DOWN the last few years, maybe going back 10-12 years. I noticed in the HA auctions that bills coming up for re-sale for the first time in a decade or bills similar to one which set the high-water mark...are going for LESS or at most about the same price.

Unlike coins (which can rise up with PM prices providing a floor) I didn't see any evidence of a bull market, outside of that nice rise in Large Denomination Currency lower-grade bills that we saw in 2020-22 by new buyers during Covid.

Any thoughts from the veterans out there ?

Choppy

Track&Price will show you the historical auction results for any particular currency that you're curious about.

I'm not a veteran collector, but I can tell you that the auction market for most National Banknotes appears to be strong. Notes from banks that are on my want list have been creeping up over the last 10 years. Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable.

GoldFinger1969

@Choppy said:
I'm not a veteran collector, but I can tell you that the auction market for most National Banknotes appears to be >strong. Notes from banks that are on my want list have been creeping up over the last 10 years. Not a lot, but >enough to be noticeable.

Thanks, that's useful. I just read an interesting analysis by the Cleveland Fed on why National Bank Notes got eclipsed by Silver Certificates. That reduced supply of NBN's is one reason their price rises today !