Paper money
Take for example the 1973 $1 bill, there are 52 different varieties. The least value with the most minted is worth $1 in almost uncirculated condition, to $8,000 for the most scarce.
The most common question is, “How much is my $1 and $2 bills worth?” Chances are it is the most common with the greatest number minted, making them only worth about 10% to 50% above face value, if uncirculated.
If uncirculated, dealers sell these in lots of five or 10, in sequential order at approx. double face value. These are for the most common. There are defiantly exemptions to this. Another most asked question is, “I have a centennial bill with no serial number, what is it worth?”
In 1967 was Canada’s 100th birthday and the government wanted everyone to have a memento, so they minted 12 million of these bills. Because there was no serial number everyone put at least one or two of these aside to keep.
I have done many appraisals over the years and anyone who kept any bills at all would have a 1967 among them. Dealers are selling uncirculated bills for about $1.50 to $3. If you sell to a dealer you may get $1 to $1.50 depending on how many edge bumps or counting flicks are on it.
One bill in high demand is the 1954 “devil’s face” in every denomination. These bills sell for about 10 times the value of the regular 1954 bills. In 1954 they designed the bill and started the circulation of the bills and someone in there wildest wisdom thought they could see the devil’s face in the Queen’s hair.
Immediately they stopped production and redesigned the hair, and put a recall on the “devil’s face.” By that time a limited number of bills were already in circulation, but numbers were few and those became valuable almost immediately.
If you are thinking of getting rid of some old bills talk to a collector or dealer before you take them to the bank. I am sure collectors may give you slightly higher than what the bank would offer, which is only face value, and who knows, you may have a valuable one among them.
Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collections, email medhatcsc@ live.com.