Wouldn’t you rather have coins?

We have just celebrated the 150th anniversary of the “greenback.” It was authorized on July 17, 1861, and issued Aug. 10, 1861. What a difference 150 years make. The smallest denomination was a $5 Demand Note. If the possessor could have gotten five silver dollar coins for it or, even four dollars, those dollars in lower grade circulated sell for about $1,500 today So does the note. The silver at melt would be nearly $150 today. If you meet me at the ANA in a few weeks we could exchange a current $5 greenback for a hot dog maybe.

Proof silver Eagles are down because the marketers are using the current 2011 issue from the Mint so they are bidding less for older issues. This is a buying opportunity if you need any back dates.

These discs contain the ultimate resource for identifying, assessing and better understanding the history of U.S. bank notes from 1782-1866.

Demand for Morgan and Peace dollars remains constant. While current bid sheets do not reflect it, some major buyers are paying 50 cents to a buck extra under the table for generic circulated issues. A key phrase that shows up is: “buying VG or btr dollars @ ___, not too fussy on quality.”

There has been somewhat limited activity on better date silver dollar issues with a few of the recent movers settling down a bit but there have also been a few perking up.

Proof sets are quiet with obvious activity in silver issues and not much else. Later date mint sets have taken a haircut over the last few weeks and as in proof sets the silver issues have moved up.

Email harrymkrause@optonline.net.