Collecting Vignettes and Holiday Bargains

I hope you have a very Happy Holiday Season. Santa Notes are interesting and pretty pricy. I managed to find a Santa vignette that is frequently on Santa notes, but I got it on a vignette. I enjoy picking up vignettes with images that appear on notes. I have vignettes that appear on Fractional notes, Nationals, and other Large Size notes. They allow me to admire the engraving without the wear and tear of circulation on scarce notes. I collect on a budget, after all, and these vignettes help build exhibits when I show them at major shows. Exhibits seem to be out of vogue lately, as various shows have deleted them or minimized their importance at shows. You are not likely to find vignettes at local shows but rather at large shows such as the ANA or Central States.

You may also like: 'Tis the Season for Santa Bank Notes

Red Seal 50s in lower grades are weaker, but higher grades seem strong. In other Small Size notes, the surge in prices for high-graded 68 and 69 one-dollar 1957 and 57 A and B silver certificates has cooled off. 68 notes have gone down to the $100 value, and 69 notes are now fetching about $200. These notes were especially well-centered, with a great back-to-front registry. It appears that the BEP is producing better-centered notes. Early notes from 1928 FRNs and 1-dollar silver issues were not centered as well as modern notes. 1-dollar silver certificates are also weaker. The 1928 C, D, and E stars remain strong, but grades in the Very Fine 20 category can be purchased when available in the two to three thousand areas. The E star, however, will command $10,000 in Very Fine. 2-dollar 1928B Red Seal stars remain especially strong when one pops up. The FRN notes are also a bit weaker. High-condition notes remain strong, but some of the stars are weaker. National Banks' values remain dependent on bank rarity, although some under-collected state notes are bargains.

High-grade Original and 1875 issue notes in nice condition are hot. Your best bet for bargains on these notes is with the one- and five-dollar varieties. Large-size notes remain strong, with the nickname notes being especially attractive. By nickname, I mean such notes as the Porthole note, the Indian Chief, the Buffalo notes, and the Educational notes, for example, although the Buffalo and Indian Chief offer some more common issues that are better for the budget collectors. We have also seen high-value 5K- and 10k-notes soar to amazing heights in the half-million-dollar range. Fancy serial numbers are strong, with 7 numbers the same, bringing $150, and solid numbers in new condition at $1500 and up. Repeaters are also popular with such number repetition as 50505050, known as super repeaters bring in $150 and up. Error notes are increasing in value and interest. For the best information in this area, get Fred Bart’s book on errors. It is very informative for explanations and error information in general, and you should find it in any show with a book dealer. Contact me for information or numismatic questions in general at billbrandimore@charter.net and again, Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year.

You may also like: Fill your Christmas list with paper money books

Bill Brandimore is the pricing analyst for Bank Note Reporter and Numismaster.com. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a Master’s from Washington State University. He had a 26-year career with the Detroit Police Dept. and retired as Inspector. He then served for 17 years as Chief of Police in Wausau, Wis. He is the past president of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, the Samoset Council of BSA, the Central States Numismatic Society, and the Numismatics of Wisconsin. He is the editor and president of Paper Money Collectors of Michigan. He is the president of the Fractional Currency Collectors Board. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association, Chicago Coin Club, Michigan State Numismatic Society, and the Central States Numismatic Society, to name a few. His special interests in currency are Detroit Nationals, Large Size Types, $5 Federal Reserve Notes, and Canadian currency. Concerning coins, his special interests are in Buffalo nickels and large cents.