American counterfeiting stretches back more than three centuries, shaping the very design of every note in your collection. Understanding this ongoing arms race between forgers and the Treasury helps collectors identify genuine notes, spot alterations, and appreciate why certain security features define a series.
Read More →Long before the Continental Congress printed its first notes, Maryland colonists were already wrestling with the politics, economics, and practicalities of paper money through a series of landmark Currency Acts. This deep dive into Maryland’s colonial paper currency reveals a fascinating collecting field rich with historical significance, genuine rarity, and surprisingly accessible entry points for today’s numismatists.
Read More →A period ink inscription on a banknote can be a fascinating window into history or a grade-crushing defect, and knowing the difference is one of the most nuanced skills in currency grading. This guide walks collectors through how PCGS Currency, PMG, and independent graders evaluate manuscript notations, with specific examples from Civil War-era demand notes to Depression-era small-size issues.
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