Currency Collecting

Like most collectibles, using the proper supplies is important.  Of course, having the bills graded and placed in a hard acrylic slab is preferred, since the bills are protected and have a grade.  Unfortunately, this is an expensive process.

Short of having bills graded one can buy acrylic slabs that work well.  They will not guarantee the grade, but they will protect the bills.  A more economical solution is to use semi-rigid sleeves.  Toploader sleeves work well, since they open on the long side.  A sleeve that opens on the shorter side requires the bill be slipped into the opening and slid down without crumpling the bill. 

While a bill can be placed in any slab or sleeve that is large enough, using supplies that more closely match the sizes of your bills is best. 

In the United States three sizes of sleeves and slabs are currently being marketed.  For small bills use the fractional note size.  For most bills use the modern bill size.  For oversized, older bills use the larger bill size.  Just make certain the dimensions are adequate for what will be placed in those supplies.

For years following the Civil War in the nineteenth century there was a metal shortage caused by war needs in the United States.  Notes worth less than one dollar were issued.  These are called fractional notes because they have denominations of less than one dollar, or a fraction of a dollar. These fractional notes are also smaller than a dollar bill. 

Since paper was also at a premium, rag paper was used to make fractional notes.  Rag paper often has blotches of rag that was not fully broken down, so fractional currency is often blemished, but this is the exception to having pristine notes.

Boxes designed to hold the sleeves also come in three sizes, at least those that are sold in the United States do.  This helps prevent the sleeves from being bent, and from spilled liquid from entering the open end of a sleeve.

A good first step in making a currency collection is to obtain reference books.  One may be adequate, but if there is interest in multiple areas, such as types and errors several books might be in order.  It is important to understand the value of a collectible piece before making a purchase.

During wars military script is often issued.  This is so members of the military can make purchases in occupied towns even though currency of the occupied nation is not available.  World War II, for example, required German, Japanese, and Italian script to be issued by the United States, which I believe remained in use during occupation period following the end of hostilities.  These are often small, and probably would best fit fractional currency supplies.

There are few pieces of currency needed to fill a collection.  Currency is not changed annually, as are coins when a new date is added.  So many currency collectors collect currency from multiple countries.

Some foreign governments have shifted to plastic bills.  These are more durable than paper bills, but still need protection.

Error bills are another collectible group.  Finding error notes in higher denomination bills is harder, since fewer large denominations are printed.  Error one-dollar bills are most common among error bills.

United States bills undergo several printings.  Each side is printed seperately.  Also, such things as serial numbers are added with yet another printing.  Errors can occur at any stage.  Be watchful.  This is where one can find value in circulating bills.

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