UNC or not UNC

OK... as some of you know or might have guessed I'm new to this game.
But I have a question / observation / thought to share.

When looking for notes I see some value in a UNC note (not monetary -
I mean I'm not investing... I'm collecting) since a UNC just looks,
well, looks nice, feels nice etc. But as far as being a bank note is
concerned it hasn't done anything.

Now I'm know that there is an extreme where the note has dengerated in
to something which is not much more than a scruffy bit of paper, but
between those two extremes is a happy medium. A note that has during
it's natural life been in someone's wallet/purse/pocket and actually
been exchanged for something...

I seem to be finding these kinds of notes more interesting at the
moment. Is there something "wrong" with me...?

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 16:39:53 -0400, "Scottishmoney"
wrote:

Generally I prefer nicer VF+ notes especially in older notes. However since
you brought up Colonial notes I will suggest that in that area it is rather
interesting to have a well used note...
...It saw lots and lots of use probably at some point by a Revolutionary War
soldier, could have even been handled by Tories(loyal to the Crown) And who
knows whom handled it. I have some very very well used notes from
Pennsyvania from 1772 which were the 3d, 4d, and 9d notes, these
denominations always saw a lot of circulation as they were small
denomniations and much more useful in common transactions.

Now that is an interesting perspective. Recently managed to secure a
Henry VIII groat (hopefully a real one...) imagine the life that
would've seen...

Sometime I may scan some of these so you can see them.

I'd be interested... but a little scared. I mean I *should* just be
collecting pound notes and here you are leading me astray. Confusing
me with Scottish notes and then Colonial notes - I'm still trying to
get to grips with how William "Mel" Wallace got across the Atlantic in
time for the Revolution...



Dave

Darren wrote in message I'd be
interested... but a little scared. I mean I *should* just be
collecting pound notes and here you are leading me astray. Confusing
me with Scottish notes and then Colonial notes - I'm still trying to
get to grips with how William "Mel" Wallace got across the Atlantic in
time for the Revolution...

He reincarnated :] The latter movie was a bomb.

Dave

When looking for notes I see some value in a UNC note (not monetary -
I mean I'm not investing... I'm collecting) since a UNC just looks,
well, looks nice, feels nice etc. But as far as being a bank note is
concerned it hasn't done anything.

Now I'm know that there is an extreme where the note has dengerated in
to something which is not much more than a scruffy bit of paper, but
between those two extremes is a happy medium. A note that has during
it's natural life been in someone's wallet/purse/pocket and actually
been exchanged for something...

I seem to be finding these kinds of notes more interesting at the
moment. Is there something "wrong" with me...?





No nothing wrong with you, it's the way the hobby has evolved in the US. As a
result of the US coin market obsession with Unc coins, this has spilled over to
other collectables including notes. I would suggest that you look for notes
that are pleasing to your eye and in line with whatever collecting thread you
follow. And if you are intersted in the historical aspects of the particular
issue, by all means buy one that fits the theme but at least try to find one
that looks good!

If you are buying to satisfy an interest in a note, then you'll save money
if you prefer non-UNC condition because they don't command a premium the way
perfectly new notes do.

If you are hoping for appreciation in the value of a note, it's best to buy
the best condition you can afford. Since it's easy to get modern issues in
UNC, I think it's unwise to collect anything less than a perfect example.
But older notes are often simply not available in UNC, and if you insist on
having an UNC note, you may never acquire one for your collection.

Certainly it's easier to look at a grimy old note and imagine the
interesting route it took to get to your collection, whereas a perfectly
clean note doesn't evoke those same feelings.

Collect what makes you happy.

On 8/11/03 12:48 PM, in article ,
"Darren" wrote:

OK... as some of you know or might have guessed I'm new to this game.
But I have a question / observation / thought to share.

When looking for notes I see some value in a UNC note (not monetary -
I mean I'm not investing... I'm collecting) since a UNC just looks,
well, looks nice, feels nice etc. But as far as being a bank note is
concerned it hasn't done anything.

Now I'm know that there is an extreme where the note has dengerated in
to something which is not much more than a scruffy bit of paper, but
between those two extremes is a happy medium. A note that has during
it's natural life been in someone's wallet/purse/pocket and actually
been exchanged for something...

I seem to be finding these kinds of notes more interesting at the
moment. Is there something "wrong" with me...?

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 14:07:39 -0700, Owen Linzmayer
wrote:

If you are buying to satisfy an interest in a note, then you'll save money
if you prefer non-UNC condition because they don't command a premium the way
perfectly new notes do.

I guess one of the things I struggle with is why UNC commands a
premium - I guess it's simply a rarity thing... but what do you
collectors look for?

If you are hoping for appreciation in the value of a note, it's best to buy
the best condition you can afford. Since it's easy to get modern issues in
UNC, I think it's unwise to collect anything less than a perfect example.

Any ideas why this should be?
Do you 'personally' prefer UNC, or is it because it is the 'right
thing' - just interested in what people like collecting.

But older notes are often simply not available in UNC, and if you insist on
having an UNC note, you may never acquire one for your collection.

Certainly it's easier to look at a grimy old note and imagine the
interesting route it took to get to your collection, whereas a perfectly
clean note doesn't evoke those same feelings.

Collect what makes you happy.

I'm doing that where I can afford it...

Recently got a 1967 Royal Bank of Scottieland Pound note which is
pretty much UNC and a similarly aged (1968) British Linen Bank Pound
note. I much prefer the Linen Bank example and I think one of the
reasons is the circulated condition of this note. I prefer the design
as well... I guess the acid test would be to see a VF and UNC of the
same note - which one would I buy then? (I ask myself)

Just wondering what other people collect as well.

Since I collect mostly modern notes, I try to get UNC because they are never
going to be easier to get, and usually that's the only condition that people
want to buy, so for resale, it's preferred.

On 8/12/03 2:21 PM, in article ,
"Darren" wrote:

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 14:07:39 -0700, Owen Linzmayer
wrote:

If you are buying to satisfy an interest in a note, then you'll save money
if you prefer non-UNC condition because they don't command a premium the way
perfectly new notes do.

I guess one of the things I struggle with is why UNC commands a
premium - I guess it's simply a rarity thing... but what do you
collectors look for?

If you are hoping for appreciation in the value of a note, it's best to buy
the best condition you can afford. Since it's easy to get modern issues in
UNC, I think it's unwise to collect anything less than a perfect example.

Any ideas why this should be?
Do you 'personally' prefer UNC, or is it because it is the 'right
thing' - just interested in what people like collecting.

But older notes are often simply not available in UNC, and if you insist on
having an UNC note, you may never acquire one for your collection.

Certainly it's easier to look at a grimy old note and imagine the
interesting route it took to get to your collection, whereas a perfectly
clean note doesn't evoke those same feelings.

Collect what makes you happy.

I'm doing that where I can afford it...

Recently got a 1967 Royal Bank of Scottieland Pound note which is
pretty much UNC and a similarly aged (1968) British Linen Bank Pound
note. I much prefer the Linen Bank example and I think one of the
reasons is the circulated condition of this note. I prefer the design
as well... I guess the acid test would be to see a VF and UNC of the
same note - which one would I buy then? (I ask myself)

Just wondering what other people collect as well.