Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> Colonial Currency

If you are interested in collecting paper money, Colonial money is one of the hottest tickets going right now. When the first US colonies were formed, the nation and its currency system were still in their infancy. It was decided that paper money would be used, and gradually, currency was printed and distributed for use. Today, colonial money is usually worth much more than its face value, provided that it is original and not a reproduction. Here are some tips on how to tell whether or not you have an authentic piece of colonial history.

1. Check the Signature

Colonial money was always designed to have at least one signature on the note. You may need to look carefully to determine whether or not a signature is present, but if you can’t find even one, chances are you may be dealing with a reproduction. The color of the signature should be in red ink.

2. Is it Numbered?

Colonial money was always numbered to help them keep track of how many bills were in circulation. Once again, if you are dealing with an authentic note the ink color will be red and the number will be very noticeable. Age made have faded the note slightly, but you should be able to tell that the ink was once a red color.

3. Look at the Writing

Typically, colonial money featured a handwritten signature, and some bills may have other handwriting on them as well. This is actually quite important, and is a big clue to the authenticity of the note. If the handwriting is the in the same color as the rest of the bill, there is a very high chance that you are in fact dealing with a reproduction.

4. Look for the Stamp

In most cases, reproductions that are intended merely for home use will carry a stamp that says “facsimile.” This is done to help people get a better idea of the colonial money that was used, but they are not intended to be collector items. While some reproductions may not have this stamp, the majority should.

5. Find the Watermark

Even in the height of the colonial period, when technology still was struggling, watermarks were added to bills to help determine whether or not they were authentic. You can use that same watermark to help you determine whether or not you have authentic colonial money on hand. Hold the bill up to a light source to see if you can spot the watermark. If you can’t chances are you have a reproduction.

6. Take it to an Expert

If you plan on investing in a colonial money note, it is best to have it examined by an expert to determine the authenticity of the note. They will be well versed in the different types of ink, the different plates that were used, as well as how real colonial money should look. There is no substitute for getting an expert’s opinion, especially if you will be investing in colonial money.

Photo Credits: woody1778a

Originally posted 2008-09-11 14:00:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> United States Notes

Paper money has a long and varied history that dates back centuries. Although we are used to dealing with paper money on a constant basis it was not too long ago that it wasn’t even used. Let’s take a look at the history of paper money so that you can gain a better appreciation of the money you use today. It’s one of the easiest ways of spending, but it wasn’t always that way.

Originally, paper money was developed by the Chinese, who called it “flying money.” This was due to the fact that the paper used was incredibly frail and light weight. If you didn’t have a good grip on it, it could easily be blown out of your hand by a strong gust of wind, hence the nickname. It can be dated back to around the ninth century, but there are some instances and some evidence that point to paper money being around as early as the eighth century.

Instead of having an actual standard, like today’s money, the first paper money was backed just by your signature and how much you had in the bank. In that way, it was very much like a check that we would use today. This is also where the term bank drafts came into play, even back hundreds of years ago. It wasn’t until many centuries later that a standard was developed in Asia for paper money and at that time, it’s worth was solidified by silk.

Eventually, the use of paper money dwindled, especially during the Ming period in China, when the notes became worth a set amount of money, making them harder to spend, especially on the daily necessities of life. It wasn’t until the middle ages that it would again be put into use, and even then, it took until the late 1800’s for paper money to become standard.

Today, we don’t think twice about whipping out a bill here or there, but in ancient times, paper money was quite rare. There are records of paper money being used in the colonies of the United States, but coins were generally used more and of course, gold and silver were quite common. That is now flipped, with the vast majority of people all over the world using paper instead of coins.

However, the introduction of credit and debit cards has hit the paper money market hard. Fewer people are using it and as a result, we may be going backwards in time a bit. While coin money may never become quite popular again, it is clear that our reliance on paper money is definitely dwindling. This has created quite a market for collectors interested in finding unique notes.

While you may not be able to get your hands on a paper note made in China from the 900’s, you can certainly find European, American and Russian notes that are quite valuable. The best place to find collectible paper money is at a coin shop or at an online auction.

Photo Credits: AMagill

Originally posted 2008-10-05 00:27:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> Europe -> France and Colonies

Collectors of stamps that also enjoy history are commonly drawn to French stamps for many different reasons. These are unique items that often depict the struggle for freedom, and the French stamps from the colonies are considered to be very valuable as well as rich in history. If you have never seen a French stamp before, or you are completely new to collecting them, there are a few things you should know.

1. What year is the stamp?

This can have a very big impact on its overall worth. For example, French stamps from the 1800’s are considered to be very rare and will usually depict revolutionary scenes. The Marianne is probably the most popular stamp of this time and although they are not easy to find, if you do see one in good condition, this is the perfect stamp to collect. While there are Marianne’s available from many different eras, the earliest ones are considered to be the most valuable.

Pay special attention to the date of the stamp and if you can’t find it, you may want to ask the seller for more information about them. Typically, the older French stamps will be a little worn or used, and you can generally tell by the vibrancy in color or lack thereof how old the stamp is.

2. Is it an actual French Stamp or a Colony Stamp?

This can have a big impact on the overall value of the stamp. While some collectors prefer to stick the mainland when collecting French stamps, others prefer the colonial versions. Take a look at both and see which one will strike your fancy. Some of the colony stamps are worth a great deal more than regular stamps, but there is no general rule. Rare stamps are always valuable, especially if they are in good condition.

In the later part of the 1800’s the colony stamps would typically have Cerese on the front or the Emperor Napolean III. For the very rare stamps, look for the ones that were produced between the periods of 1859 and 1865. These are hard to find, and will usually have an Eagle and a Crown.

3. How good is the overall condition?

When it comes to figuring out how much a French stamp is actually work, this is usually the deciding factor. Look first for the ones that were never used, since they will typically have the highest value. Next, look for French stamps that were used, but are still in fantastic condition. Stamps with tears or rips are generally worth much less overall and should only be collected by those that aren’t terribly considered about value and are more interested in the history behind the stamp.

Ideally, a French stamp should be in near perfect to good condition, and will still contain the original adhesive or gum. Stamps that have hinges are also considered to be good investments, provided that the hinge is still intact. You can start your search for French stamps online and find some truly remarkable deals.

Originally posted 2008-08-28 14:00:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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