currency collecting – Page 9

The Maryland Colonial Currency Acts: Paper Money Before the United States Existed

June 15, 2026 by

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.

Silver Certificates Series 1891 $5 Jumping Deer Back: A Rarely Discussed Large-Size Type

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1891 $5 Silver Certificate with its distinctive ‘Jumping Deer’ reverse design stands as one of the most visually striking and overlooked large-size notes in American currency history. This deep dive covers the history, varieties, signature combinations, grading realities, and collector values that every serious large-size enthusiast needs to know.

Series 1928 $5 Federal Reserve Note Varieties: Which Signature Combinations Are Legitimately Scarce and Which Are Common

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1928 $5 Federal Reserve Notes span six distinct signature combinations and twelve issuing districts, creating a collecting landscape where genuine rarities hide alongside abundant issues. This guide breaks down every major variety by print run, signature pair, and current market value so collectors can build smarter, more focused collections.

Manuscript Notations on Currency: When Period Ink Writing Adds Historical Context and When It Tanks the Grade

June 15, 2026 by

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.

How the Federal Reserve Handled the 2008 Financial Crisis: Currency Production Spikes and What Collectors Saw

June 15, 2026 by

The 2008 financial crisis triggered some of the most dramatic shifts in Federal Reserve Note production in modern history, with print runs surging and new series notes entering circulation under extraordinary economic pressure. For currency collectors, the crisis years left behind a fascinating paper trail of high-print-run notes, transitional series, and subtle production anomalies that continue to reward careful study today.

Typography on United States Currency: How Lettering Styles Changed from 1861 to the Present

June 15, 2026 by

From the ornate Gothic scripts of Civil War-era Demand Notes to the clean sans-serif fonts of modern Federal Reserve Notes, the typography on US currency tells a fascinating story of art, technology, and national identity. This deep dive examines every major lettering transition, explains why certain typefaces were chosen, and shows collectors which typographic varieties command serious premiums.

Federal Reserve Notes Series 2013 $100: The Creasing Crisis That Halted Production and What It Means for Collectors Today

June 15, 2026 by

In 2010, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing unveiled a dramatically redesigned $100 note, only to discover a manufacturing defect that would delay its release by three years and produce some of the most scrutinized currency in modern American history. Understanding the creasing problem, the production halt, and the resulting series variations gives collectors a fascinating window into how error notes and transitional issues are born.

Missing Second Printing Errors on Federal Reserve Notes: Collecting Notes Without Seals, Signatures, or Serial Numbers

June 15, 2026 by

When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s second printing pass fails entirely or partially, the result is some of the most dramatic and collectible error notes in U.S. currency. This guide covers everything from how these errors occur to which specific series command top dollar at auction.

The Series 1950 $20 Federal Reserve Note Wide vs. Narrow Back Varieties: A Plate Change Collectors Often Miss

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1950 $20 Federal Reserve Note harbors a subtle but significant design change that most collectors walk right past: a measurable shift in the back plate margins that separates early printings from later ones. Understanding the Wide Back and Narrow Back varieties can unlock hidden value in notes you may already own.

The 1923 $5 Silver Certificate Porthole Note: Abraham Lincoln Behind the Oval Window

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1923 $5 Silver Certificate, nicknamed the ‘Porthole Note’ for its striking oval portrait of Abraham Lincoln, stands as one of the most visually distinctive large-size notes ever issued by the United States Treasury. This deep dive covers its design history, signature varieties, survival rates, and what collectors should know before pursuing one of these century-old beauties.