The term courtesy signature for banknote collectors has a special connotation. It is a bank note that has the real signature of the Secretary of the Treasury or the Treasurer of the United States, on the note above their printed signatures.

I’m sure folks have been doing it for a long time. They are known with some Secretary of the Treasury officials going back to the beginning of federal currency in the 1860s. (Actually some of the early notes have real signatures anyhow).

Often the officials had an opportunity to purchase the low serial numbers, and would then autograph them and present them to friends. This probably started in a major way with the introduction of the Large Size Federal Reserve Notes in 1917.

But what I’m showing today are two examples of the signature of Mary Ellen Withrow, Treasurer on the 1993-1999 series Federal Reserve notes.

When one has a real signature, the person signing never can really sign twice. There are subtle difference in the flourishes and the length of the signature.

Politicians since the late 1950s have had access to a machine called the autopen. It produces a signature on any document. It follows a template. Thus at the start and stop of words, there is often a larger dot of ink than that formed when writing by hand. In addition, there is often waviness in the strokes of tall letters and descending letters like t’s, l’s and g’s or y’s.

If you write by mail, most often these days you will get an autopen, especially if it is from the Secretary of the Treasury. It is always best to get them in person, and thus you should also have nice new bills handy, with a pen of your choice!

Know what a real signature looks like, be careful out there.

George

The American Numismatic Society is selling duplicate (and in some cases triplicate) library books so they do not have to move them again. The material is at the current location of 140 William St.

Here are the details and links to avilability lists:

The dates and times of the sale are as follows:
Saturday 8 March 10am-4pm
Wednesday 12 March 10am-4pm
Thursday 13 March 10am-4pm
Friday 14 March 10am-4pm
Monday 17 March 10am-4pm
Tuesday 18 March 10am-4pm

Visitors to the sale will also have the opportunity to purchase any remaining journals and auction catalogues from the lists currently posted
on the ANS website (see updated links below).

Two lists of duplicate sales catalogues have been created. One contains details of sales catalogues produced by US-based dealers, the other of those dealers based outside the US. A list of journals is also posted. While we have made every effort to ensure that the lists are accurate at time of issue, this has been a substantial task and we ask for patience with any errors that may emerge. Likewise, we will do our best to maintain an accurate list of available volumes on the website, but there will inevitably be cases where sales listed are no longer available. We apologize in advance, and suggest that if there is something you really want, then you send in your order early.

Orders should be addressed  by email only to orders@numismatics.org , as should any enquiries.

Prices. There is one price for all catalogues: $2 per volume, with a minimum order value of $20. Shipping will be added at cost.

Payment is accepted by check or credit card.

Please bear in mind when ordering that you are not just acquiring books for your own library; you are also contributing to the future of that of
the ANS.

List of U.S. based catalogues - in pdf format (updated 2.26.08)

List of non-U.S. based catalogues - in pdf format (updated 2.26.08)

List of Journals - pdf format (updated 2.29.08)

Zeljko Stojanovic recently released his Standard Reference Guide to Serbian and Yugoslav Paper Money book.

It is wonderful !

Presented in a handy 5-1/2 x 8 size, the 278 pages include full color reduced size illustrations of bank notes, and listings presented in Yugoslav, German and English. Prices in multiple conditions are also included.

Each note is accorded its own catalog page, or more, if detailed variety information warrents. Note from 1876 to present are included, and are referenced to the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money catalog numbers.

Books are available directly from the author, and are priced at 35 Euro, or $50.00 USD plus postage. Contact Zeljko Stojanovic at: catalogpmserbia@yahoo.com