Poll: Coin collectors, do you also collect currency?

RYK · June 8, 2008 2:47AM

Please do not tell Longacre, but I have started to nibble at currency. I initially tried some obsolete notes (including buying some inexpensive examples from the Bowers reference collection), but I did not care for these. I have more recently become afflicted with the colonial currency bug. I think that a collection of contemporary notes (along with medals and foreign coins that circulated in the colonial America) are an excellent complement to my interest in colonial coinage. In fact, I am finding that some of the more peripheral items can be even more interesting than some of the more mundane or controversial coins and tokens that are accepted as part of the colonial US series.

At any rate, do any of you US coin collectors bother with the rags or are you metal money collectors exclusively?

edix2001 · June 8, 2008 3:03AM

Somebody gave me some Iranian Rial bills the other day. Two 200 Rials and Two 100 Rials. At the current exchange rate they are worth a total of 6 cents US.

STONE · June 8, 2008 3:04AM

A few here and there.

Pocket change is easier to collect and less expensive

BBN · June 8, 2008 3:09AM

just recently started

MidLifeCrisis · June 8, 2008 3:12AM

No, and are you going to start talking about stamps next?

Seriously though, colonial currency is pretty interesting and cool. And I agree it would compliment a colonial coin collection. I just don't have enough money to spend on them and the colonial coins I want.

erroid · June 8, 2008 3:13AM

No(#4), I'm not very good at multi-tasking; VAM's and errors are already to much....

ricko · June 8, 2008 3:14AM

Some of the old currency is really beautiful... i.e. - Indian, Buffalo etc..... I enjoy looking at them, but have not been inclined to collect - yet. Cheers, RickO

RYK · June 8, 2008 3:21AM

<< No, and are you going to start talking about stamps next?

Seriously though, colonial currency is pretty interesting and cool. And I agree it would compliment a colonial coin collection. I just don't have enough money to spend on them and the colonial coins I want. >>

1) I promise not to talk about my stamp collection.

2) You would be surprised how relatively inexpensive colonial currency can be. I recently bought a Delaware note printed by Ben Franklin's press for a fraction of the price of a circulated Fugio.

DeusExMachina · June 8, 2008 3:24AM

I voted #2. I have my eye on one obsolete currency note for now. I also purchased QDBs book and love it.

In an effort to remain focused, I have steered clear of buying any notes but I have been tempted. Maybe some day....

coinandcurrency242 · June 8, 2008 3:25AM

I have almost every blue and green seal one dollar made

OKbustchaser · June 8, 2008 3:26AM

No, currency is what I use to buy coins.

MidLifeCrisis · June 8, 2008 3:28AM

<< You would be surprised how relatively inexpensive colonial currency can be. I recently bought a Delaware note printed by Ben Franklin's press for a fraction of the price of a circulated Fugio. >>

Fair enough...sounds like some very good deals can be had.

I just have to stay focused on re-building my coin collection. If I allow myself to get distracted with cool colonial currency, I may never get a significant collection of either!

Russ · June 8, 2008 3:30AM

<< I have more recently become afflicted with the colonial currency bug. >>

I believe this to be a very positive move in your development as a collector.

Russ, NCNE

tightbudget · June 8, 2008 3:30AM

I'm not really a currency collector. However, I do save interesting notes that I find in change.

intocoins · June 8, 2008 3:33AM

I currently only pluck currency from circulation and low denom's at that. So far I've been able to get some Binaries, radars and some short run star notes.

IGWT · June 8, 2008 3:40AM

I collect some, but only to complement coins. No big surprise here . . .

mgoodm3 · June 8, 2008 3:49AM

I bought a piece of fractional currwency a while back.

IGWT · June 8, 2008 3:52AM

For those who aren't familiar with fractional currency, here's pictures showing the actual size of the note (2 5/8" x 1 7/8"):

COALPORTER · June 8, 2008 4:00AM

I have a few two dollar bills from the 70's and some older and some silver certificates and some newer "star notes". I think star note are cool. When I was a kid, my dad had a $500 bill. My mom had a $10 Hawaii bill she got from a store -but we needed gas and food and spent it.

Pistareen · June 8, 2008 4:00AM

I've collected coins. I've collected currency (I still do, a little). When you've wrung both of those fields out like a sponge, maybe I'll teach you about early American fiscal paper! That's my current collecting joy. Every item represents a unique historical moment and a researchable event.

This will sound self-serving (it is, in fact), but I think colonial currency's visual nature, craftsmanship, elegant designs, personal connection to famous individuals through printing or signatures, and political and economic importance during its useful lifetime make it a collectible with few numismatic comparables. And it's cheaper and rarer than most coins of the era. Did I mention it's cheaper?

I'm currently reimmersing myself in some of the 19th century classic works on early American currency and modern economic history scholarship on its contemporary relevance in preparation for my Summer Seminar class this year, which will focus on colonial currency among other related topics mentioned in the OP, like foreign coins with American currency status and American historical medals.

Russ · June 8, 2008 4:00AM

I think everybody should collect currency.

Russ, NCNE

RYK · June 8, 2008 4:01AM

I'm currently reimmersing myself in some of the 19th century classic works on early American currency and modern economic history scholarship on its contemporary relevance in preparation for my Summer Seminar class this year, which will focus on colonial currency among other related topics mentioned in the OP, like foreign coins with American currency status and American historical medals.

And I won't be there for it.

Tvac897 · June 8, 2008 4:15AM

I think this is the first poll i've seen on this forum...

GritsMan · June 8, 2008 4:41AM

I like currency a lot, but am too nervous about destroying it ever to shell out any serious money. I think you've got to be pretty brave to dive into this.

BooBooBillQueen · June 8, 2008 5:21AM

I must pipe in and say that I am excited to read that some of you have been bitten by the "currency bug". I could go on forever about what I refer to as my "passion for paper", but rather than that I would like to invite you to join in on some of the topics on the Currency Message Board. There is a wealth of knowledge and we are always happy to answer any questions regarding paper money.

pursuitofliberty · June 8, 2008 5:24AM

I voted 2 but probably am more in the 3 range right now.

I own some fractional currency, which I greatly enjoy ... but have not pursued or purchased any for some time.

Oh man ... more stuff I have to take the time to photograph

ziggy29 · June 8, 2008 5:25AM

I've nibbled at it just a little bit. I've always liked currency but never quite felt the same about it as an old coin. Whether that's the paper-versus-metal thing, I don't know. But I love some of the artwork on old U.S. currency, particularly around the turn of the 20th century.

cladking · June 8, 2008 5:28AM

I throw all the notes I find in a box. They're mostly foreign but there are a few good ones. Maybe someday...

Nic · June 8, 2008 5:48AM

WTB ... Dubuque Iowa Nationals CU

. K

Russ · June 8, 2008 6:00AM

Seriously, people, currency is uber cool and all of you should be chasing it.

Russ, NCNE

ziggy29 · June 8, 2008 6:02AM

<< Seriously, people, currency is uber cool and all of you should be chasing it.

Russ, NCNE >>

Translation: SMS Kennedys suck, and none of you want to collect them.

PerryHall · June 8, 2008 6:06AM

I collect strictly US gold but I had the opportunity to buy a $5 National Gold Bank Note that I couldn't pass up. It's well circulated F12 but looks nice. This is the one with the array of gold coins on the back of the note.

percyb · June 8, 2008 6:10AM

I began collecting currency about the middle of last year after I found some old silver certificates my folks left me in their collection. I've accumulated quite a number of notes during the past year or so, mostly FRNs but have gathered a nice collection of Irish Banknotes. I'm hoping to make that my specialty on the currency side of my collecting.

RYK · June 8, 2008 6:12AM

<< Seriously, people, currency is uber cool and all of you should be chasing it.

Russ, NCNE >>

I am doing my best.

CollectorMan · June 8, 2008 6:37AM

I began dabbling into small notes a couple of years ago. Mine are primarily red seals and silver certificates from 1928 on. Also, I am working on the WWII notes as those are getting to be hard to find in a good grade. I'm also working on this year's two dollar sets being put out by the Bureau of Engraving.

I tend to favor the graded from 64 up to 67 and graded being PCGS and PMG. Between the two currency grading companies, I like PMG somewhat more than PCGS (although I favor the PCGS coins over NGC ones). I believe PMG to be a little tighter on their currency grades (just my personal opinion). PMG has not assigned a 70 grade to any of the currency they grade, while PCGS has.

Longacre · June 8, 2008 6:42AM

<< I must pipe in and say that I am excited to read that some of you have been bitten by the "currency bug". I could go on forever about what I refer to as my "passion for paper", but rather than that I would like to invite you to join in on some of the topics on the Currency Message Board. There is a wealth of knowledge and we are always happy to answer any questions regarding paper money. >>

I don't know what is scarier-- Our former Dirty Gold Man collecting currency, or the fact that a Corporate Suit at PCGS hits the boards on a Sunday and responds to a message.

bigmansam88 · June 8, 2008 6:45AM

I don't collect currency, but I do have some that was passed down to me from my grandfather.

PlatinumDuck · June 8, 2008 6:50AM

I have a small accumulation of foreign currency that I have received from various people over the years and a few silver certificates and such. Although
I have never purchased any currency to add to the small group I have, there are some pieces that I would like to buy at some point.

Longacre · June 8, 2008 6:50AM

OK, now I will answer this seriously. I actually like Obsolete Currency, but for some reason, I cannot get into Colonial currency. I am not sure if I find the designs a little too vague or boring. I am mainly talking about the notes that have just text, not the ones with the pictures (as you can tell from this statement, I really don't know much about them). Pistareen raises some interesting points in his response (as always), and I wonder if, as a public service, he can provide an outline of his discussion notes for our enjoyment on these boards. That class sounds extremely interesting, but unfortunately I cannot attend.

ziggy29 · June 8, 2008 6:56AM

<< OK, now I will answer this seriously. I actually like Obsolete Currency, but for some reason, I cannot get into Colonial currency. >>

I like colonial currency -- especially the ones that say "will pay to the poffeffor on demand" or "Tis DEATH to counterfeit."

My dad used to collect quite a lot of colonial currency. As I recall, he purchased most of those notes from David Sonderman in the 1980s.

Barry · June 8, 2008 6:56AM

<< I don't know what is scarier-- Our former Dirty Gold Man collecting currency, or the fact that a Corporate Suit at PCGS hits the boards on a Sunday and responds to a message.

>>

Not only that, but a Laura who can spell!

RYK · June 8, 2008 7:01AM

<< 

<< I must pipe in and say that I am excited to read that some of you have been bitten by the "currency bug". I could go on forever about what I refer to as my "passion for paper", but rather than that I would like to invite you to join in on some of the topics on the Currency Message Board. There is a wealth of knowledge and we are always happy to answer any questions regarding paper money. >>

I don't know what is scarier-- Our former Dirty Gold Man collecting currency, or the fact that a Corporate Suit at PCGS hits the boards on a Sunday and responds to a message.

>>

Uh-oh, I got busted.

BECOKA · June 8, 2008 7:14AM

<< I bought a piece of fractional currwency a while back.

>>

Is this a scan or a photo?

BBQnBLUES · June 8, 2008 7:17AM

I'm Fortunate to live in Memphis & able to attend the "International Paper Money Show"

So it's a given that I'm attracted to paper money...

Only problem is the US market has gone ballistic leaving me to collect Foriegn notes of interest.

BUT... I've always wanted to own a nice slabbed examples of the "Bison", "Chief", "Educational Series', and This note:

1886 $5

<drool>

BECOKA · June 8, 2008 7:19AM

I don't own anything of value but I absolutely love some of the designs on the older notes. It's amazing how down hill our designs have gone.

I am getting closer to finding an area I want to focus on but still doing research. It's been a year long hunt and I still have not bought anything.

halfhunter · June 8, 2008 7:20AM

I must have killed off too many brain cells in my younger (and not so younger) days. Although I love to look at paper and when an article or post appears I like to read about it. BUT it's about all I can do to learn and retain a generalized knowledge on US coinage and the minting process.

Regards, John

mash · June 8, 2008 7:23AM

Here's some currency scans for all you coin collectors

Russ · June 8, 2008 7:36AM

Russ, NCNE

BBQnBLUES · June 8, 2008 7:38AM

OT for this forum, but here's a Cuban note I particulary like to collect..

So far I own 35 and hope to eventually amass 100 P-84's

RYK · June 8, 2008 7:38AM

Russ,

What's with all the PMG crap? You must know that they consistently overgrade, don't you?

ziggy29 · June 8, 2008 7:40AM

<< Russ,

What's with all the PMG crap? You must know that they consistently overgrade, don't you?

>>

Now we're congregating around a punch bowl full of a different flavor of Kool-Aid.

Poll: Coin collectors, do you also collect currency?

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