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.
Originally posted 2008-09-11 14:00:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Greek Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins - Ancient -> Greek Coins As a link to the ancient world, coins are an incredibly popular way to capture this history. Thanks to the minting process and the metals that were used, we can still enjoy many ancient coins today. Greek coins are...... -
Gold Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins: US -> Gold Before you decide to purchase gold coins, there are a few things that you need to know to avoid being taken advantage of. While most dealers are honest, it is vital to take these steps to ensure you are dealing with...... -
Russian Ruble Coins-and-Paper-Money -> Coins-World -> Russia The Russian ruble collector is likely someone who doesn’t just love coins, but has an interest in Russia’s heritage as a country. One of the problems with purchasing rubles is that counterfeiting has always been a common thing with Russian coins. And not just...... -
Rare Gold Coins money -> Coins-World -> Gold Gold is one of the most popular substances in the world, and rare gold coins are highly sought out by collectors, not just for the precious gold content, but because of the rarity of the coins and the designs themselves. How do you know...... -
Chinese Paper Money Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money - World -> China The Chinese actually invented paper money, and the process of making it dates back to the early 9th century. Collectors are always seeking Chinese paper money due to its rich history and value, and this is a currency that......
Related Websites -
Saving Money on Vacations by Finding Cheap Airfare One of the easiest ways that you can save money when you are planning a vacation is to locate the cheapest airfare that you possibly can. When you make good use of the internet, you can make that happen. One example of a utility that you can use for this...... - Sunday Money Roundup - Catching Pneumonia Edition. OK, what's with the weather? 70 degrees one day, snow the next, hail the day after that, and then back to 70 degrees. In my 37 years on this planet, this is some of the weirdest stuff I have ever seen. Whether you think climate change is real or not,......
-
Sending a Paper Check, Using ING Recently, I needed to send money to a friend of mine. Unfortunately, the easiest way I know to transfer money from one person to another, via Paypal, was not an option in this case; my intended recipient didn't have a Paypal account. I could have written out a paper check...... -
How Do I Know If I Have A Low Credit Score? Many people know that having a low credit score may affect their lives in many negative ways but a lot of the people that have a low credit score are unaware that their credit rating is as bad as it is. A personal credit score is not one of the...... -
how to give money to charity This post originally appeared at Consumerism Commentary, one of the oldest and biggest (and best) personal finance blogs out there. Go check it out! America loves charity Americans donate over $240 billion per year to various charities, and thatâs simply in terms of money; the contributions in goods and services......
