Expert: PAPAJACK - 10/26/2008

Question
I have several old bills they are 1934 some are ten and some are twenty. I have one ten that has a blue stamp on it. I was wondering if they are of any value?on the bottom of the blue ten it had in silver payable to the bearer on demand.

Answer
 
Hello Brenda,             

I need to Know If there is a letter after the date

What does it say across the top (above the portrait) SILVER CERTIFICATE or Federal Reserve Note?

The 1934 $10.00 note is not too rare since it did have 5 issues from 1934 with no letter then 1934-A to 1934-D. Also some replacement notes made in each series date issue having a STAR “*” in the serial number. Depending on things like stains and folds its price will change drastically.

As paper money is hard to grade without experience, if you haven’t been grading long it is better to bring to a shop for an estimate.

Here is a general guideline for paper money below is a little long but a good read.

UNCIRCULATED - UNC: A perfect note. Crisp and clean as issued and without any folds, creases, blemishes or discoloration. Colors have original hue and brightness. Some issues may have ripples [as made]. Mention must be made if the design is not perfectly centered with usual width of margins.

EXTREMELY FINE - EF: Similar to Almost Uncirculated but the center fold, vertical or horizontal, may be a crease, i.e. paper fibbers are broken, or there may be up to three heavy counting folds [not creases] or two light creases, but no combination of the above. The centering and margins if not perfect must be noted.

VERY FINE - VF: A fairly crisp and clean note. It may have several major and minor creases and folds, and some evidence of wear especially along the edges or at the corners. There may be some slight decrease in hue and intensity of the colors. The design in the creases should not be worn off.

GOOD - G: Soft and very limp, often with tears and small pieces missing. Usually some of the major design is worn off. Note may be quite dark in appearance. Manuscript signatures, dates and sheet numbers may be worn off or entirely faded out. Often has numerous tears and other defects.

In addition, to accurately grade a note it is necessary to consider any additional impairment. These should include:
1. Minor counting creases or edge defects, especially for EF and AU grades.
2. Tears, pinholes or signature perforations.
3. Stains, smudges, crayon marks or writing.
4. Missing corners or cut and punch cancellations or edge defects.
5. Rubber stamp impressions.
6. Any repairs, such as with sticky tape, scotch tape, stamp hinge, etc.
7. Chemical damage, paste or glue from attachment to a page.
8. Poorly centered or badly trimmed edges.

Only after the grade is determined can you use a price guide, or can it be properly appraised. The 1934 $10 Silver Certificate note could be worth $100 or more. Write me again using the private question option

I hope to hear back from you soon.

PapaJack