U.S. Paper Money

A Guide Book of United States Paper Money by Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg. Published 2005 by Whitman Publishing.

This new volume of Whitman Publishing's Official Red Book series, is a somewhat condensed version of the Friedbergs' work (above).  It also includes a wonderful introduction by noted numismatic author Q. David Bowers in his usual detailed style, chronicling the changes and challenges the United States faced as it developed a federal system of currency from the 1860s forward. In addition to the historical info, a market analysis and price charts are provided for each series.  Current market valuations are compiled from recent sale and auction records, real-world analysis of the field, and the knowledge of recognized hobby leaders. 438 pages with hundreds of black and white photos and several color plates of selected notes.

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money (26th ed.), Soft Bound, ISBN 978-0-89689-573-7. Regularly: $26.99, Our Price: $21.95

100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman. Published 2006 by Whitman Publishing.

The 5th edition of the "bible" for collectors of U.S. National Bank notes includes tutorial material to help the reader identify the various types of national bank notes.  The bulk of the book consists of a detailed listing of the notes issued by all 12,635 national banks and census data on surviving notes, with updated values for each type and denomination. 446 pages.

National Bank Notes (5th ed.), Spiral bound, ISBN 0-9656255-3-2. Regularly $89.95, Our Price: $71.95

The authors explore the history of National Bank Notes and provide pricing data for the most common large and small size notes from each issuing bank. Additional information covers rarity, grading and identification of processed notes. Color plates illustrate the notes by charter, issue and denomination. 610 pages.

National Currency, Soft bound, ISBN 0-931960-63-0. Regularly $55.00, Our Price: $43.95

United States Large Size National Bank Notes by Peter Huntoon. Published 1995 by the Society of Paper Money Collectors.

Author Peter Huntoon has distilled 29 years of original research into this magnificent reference published by the Society of Paper Money Collectors. It explores the history of national bank notes issued from 1863 until 1929, including the legislation that authorized them, and examines the reasons for the different series and back designs. It also covers several varieties, such as notes with black charter numbers and geographic letters, and illustrates how serial numbering and plate lettering evolved. 283 pages.

United States Large Size National Bank Notes, Hard bound, ISBN 0-9648774-1-4. Regularly $49.95, Our Price: $39.95

Territorials A Guide to U.S. Territorial National Bank Notes by Peter W. Huntoon. Published 1980 by the Society of Paper Money Collectors.

In this well researched earlier work (than the entry above), author Peter Huntoon focuses on national bank notes issued by 607 different banks in territories of the United States. Many of these territories later became states. Valuable information includes denominations and serial numbers of notes issued by each bank. 169 pages.

Territorials. Soft bound. Regularly $24.95, Our Price $19.95

Obsolete Paper Money by Q. David Bowers. Published 2006 by Whitman Publishing.

While federally issued paper money has been widely used longer than most of us have been around, in the era of 1782 to 1866, notes issued by private banks were far more common.  Close to 3000 state chartered banks issued their own notes.  Most of them failed, leading to the terms "obsolete bank notes" and "broken bank notes" for their non-redeemable currency. In his usual thorough and engaging style, prolific author Dave Bowers explains how bank notes were engraved, printed and distributed, as well as the role they played in the American banking and financial system.  This hefty tome is an impressive historical text, as well as an entertaining guide to collecting and enjoying obsolete notes. 598 pages with nearly 1000 full color images.

Obsolete Paper Money, Hard bound, ISBN 079482203-7. Regularly $69.95, Our Price: $55.95

Based on the original work of Dean Oakes and John Schwartz, this widely used reference on modern U.S. currency contains a wealth of useful information, including updated values for various types, denominations, series and serial number blocks in up to four grades, plus illustrations and descriptions of mules and experimental notes. 376 pages with more than 300 photographs.

Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money (8th ed.), Soft bound, ISBN 978-0-89689-575-1. Regularly $24.99, Our Price: $19.95

Paper money essays, proofs and specimens are all part of the process leading up to regularly issued notes (e.g. essays are the paper money counterpart of coin patterns but are typically much rarer). Virtually every type and denomination of note issued by the United States, as well as many intriguing designs that never advanced to actual production, are covered. As you might expect, this book also describes engraving, plate making and other aspects of paper money production.

Some 25 years after the publication of the first edition, noted paper money expert Gene Hessler has updated his groundbreaking work. The second edition includes about 100 previously unpublished designs and much information learned since the original edition was published. 262 pages.

U.S. Essay, Proof and Specimen Notes (2nd ed.), Hard bound, ISBN 0-931960-62-2. Regularly $40.00, Our Price: $32.95

This well researched book presents the history of currency used by our troops and current collector values for hundreds of notes in multiple grades. The recently released 4th edition includes new features and updated coverage of additional issues. 400 pages with hundreds of photographs.

Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates (4th ed.). Hard bound. Regularly $50.00, Our Price: $39.95

The Comprehensive Catalog of United States Large Size Star Notes 1910-1929 (3rd ed.) by Douglas D. Murray. Published 2007 by The Coin & Currency Institute.

The practice of beginning or ending the serial number with a star to designate a replacement note was adopted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1910.  This illustrated reference lists nearly 6300 reported star serial numbers organized by note type and denomination. Valuations in five grades are included. 156 pages.

The Comprehensive Catalog of United States Large Size Star Notes 1910-1929 (3rd ed.), Soft bound, ISBN 978-0-87184-203-9. Regulary $29.50, Our Price: $23.95

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