Where to obtain collectable paper money

Many people become interested in paper money after building a small collection of surplus notes left over from holidays or business trips abroad. Apart from this obvious source, old banknotes often turn up in antique shops, street markets, car boot sales, and ephemera lots at auction. Occasionally you’ll hear of a friend who has discovered a small bundle of notes in his attic, or an odd note in a book, placed there for safekeeping years ago, then forgotten. Most collectors, however, sooner or later start looking for a specialist banknote dealer. When selecting a dealer, your interests will be best protected if you select one who belongs to the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). This organisation has stringent rules and regulations and a strict code of ethics. Any member who breaks these can be expelled or penalised. If you ever have a grievance with one of them, you have a reputable organisation to seek redress with. Apart from that, you will want to consider a dealer on the basis of:

a) his prices

b) the accuracy of their grading (see the topic ‘How important is the condition of a note’)

c) the frequency of his price lists

d) the variety of notes offered

e) his general friendliness and helpfulness

f) whether his lists include descriptions and illustrations

g) how long it takes him to dispatch your orders.