A Guide Book of United States Paper Money 2nd Ed Official Red Book
Immerse yourself in the romance and beauty of nearly 150 years of American currency. It all comes alive in A Guide Book of United States Paper Money, second edition. An engaging history book and a comprehensive price catalog rolled into one, the book covers all federal series issued from the Civil War to the present day. Whether you re new to the hobby or a longtime collector or dealer, you will benefit from the data provided for each currency series. Market valuations are compiled from recent sale and auction records, real-world analysis of the paper-money field, and the knowledge of recognized hobby leaders. Hundreds of notes are pictured in crisp, full-color detail, face and back dramatically illustrating the nation s history and its ideals.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars EXCELLENT!!!!, but could use more information
First let me say THANK YOU to the author/publishers!!! As with the last one, it is a wealth of information necessary to becoming an informed investor/collector of paper money and their books have been instrumental in learning/studying the hobby. The color photos is a definate PLUS along with publishing most (not all of course) of the population totals. This is a MUST HAVE book for the library…and frankly any library. It is truly some of the U.S.A.’s most interesting history. Thanks again!
As for what it could use. First: It mentions nothing about the area of paper currency related to serial # collecting. Their is a large and growing market for Radars, Repeaters, Ladders, Binary’s and of course low serial #’s. The kings in these areas like SN # 000000001 or SN # 10000001 are examples that can be found (I know as I found a the latter in a $5 recently) and bring big premiumes over face. Adding this area, discussions, ideas, examples and a rough idea of premium over face would be a great addition.
Second: While I am glad that they added the population totals to most of the bills (small size only), they are not broken down into the serial # runs which can and do have big breaks in the 8 digit serial #. For Example, the 2003 $10 St. Louis STAR note may have had 780,000 printed, but what isn’t broken down is that the first run of 128,000 is the key to the entire series. Their are other books that publish this in great detail and this book would benefit greatly to do the same.
All in all, a great book. I recommend it! especially for kids, teens and young adults. Why? Because the hobby is still in sleep mode and although the Fed prints an incalculable amount of money, their are still key notes out there, that you can find with a little knowledge and patience in sifting through curreny that passes through the hands of you, your friends, the bank teller and any other place where currency is passed.
Truly a great hobby and one I’ll be teaching my son.
Best of luck fellow notaphilies!!!!
Update 10/01/2008: I wrote the above comment and would now upgarde my review to 5 STARS!!!! Last night I was sorting though a strap of $2 bill and found the 1976 $2 New York Prefix ERROR (H/A, B/A). Yes, I found it at the BofA Branch in Tempe, AZ and took it off their hands for $2. I am upgrading my earlier comment, because it was especially nice to see this bill listed as the pictured example under MisMatched Serial #’s listed in this book on page 384, VF for $400! No kidding found it last night and as such, I love this book and this hobby. Truly amazing that this bill had been sitting in circulation for all these years and noone found it…until last night. AWESOME!
4 Stars It Should Answer Your Questions
Full disclosure: This reader only purchased this book because he had accumulated some stray paper money and was curious as to it’s worth. (The answer: “a little but not a whole lot”). So while this reader got his answer, he has to point out that there is so much more here than the pursuit of idle questions. In fact, there is something for nearly everyone here, from beginner to expert. Friedburg is dutiful about listing print quantities, signature combinations, issuing banks, series numbers and the approximate worth of each bill. Sections on fractional currency and error notes are also included. This reader has wondered how many error notes has he-or anyone- actually seen? Those would encompass upside down faces or missing or mismatched serial numbers. There is also a history of paper money and pointers on grading. Pictures, though not in color, are included for most bills. The printing and typesetting are of the highest quality, an attribute not always attained these days. Notable by its absence is any mention of Confederate Money, though technically that was not a “United States” currency. This one is a no lose proposition for virtually anyone with the slightest serious interest in paper money. Yogi would like that one: “a slight serious interest”.
5 Stars Plenty of pix.
The book is loaded with high-quality color pictures of US currency. Half-tones use a fine screen, and (at least in my copy) the colors are printed in register on good paper. The only manufacturing drawback is that the pages are glued in, not sewn.
A nice touch is the inclusion of pictures of uncut sheets printed large enough that you can see the pattern of serial numbers.
The book contains about nine pages of numismatic advertisements.
If you like to look at money, you’ll enjoy this book.
5 Stars a guide book of u.s. paper money 2nd. edition
this is a handy book that covers all U.S. paper money. it’s quick and easy to use and is in full color.
5 Stars A book every collector must have
This book has been so helpful in my collecting quests. I spent about an hour in Borders trying to find a book that gives values of modern as well as old currency for ranges up to Unc-63. It provides all the necessary information (such as signatures, series, quantity printed) for almost all bills, even star notes, and has a nice informative section as well telling you about the history of the bill. It gives price points that help you place a bid on valuable bills. This helps all collectors, experienced or not. I highly recommend this book.
