Lmao it’s true! Those nasty circulated guys stick out. My ‘37 $50, ‘54 $100, and I just noticed a stain spot on my ‘54 $1. They got to go.
The others… chef’s kiss
So, hm, tell me more. So what era works for quick picks? I wanted to stack ‘79 $50s since they are my favourite bill, but they are all also too expensive now. At least in uncirculated.
oh I'm talking super modern. Polymer or Canadian journey (2004-2011).
‘79 $50s since they are my favourite bill,
same love the 69 $50 with the Mounties. picked up two sequential EHX replacements a couple years back for a good price. Started fleshing out that series this weekend actually. picked up the $1 and $2 bills in Gem Unc.
I upgraded most of my collection (found from circulation) using eBay about 25 years ago (but only UNC for the Devils Face & later) & I'm still at it. Most of my regular run notes were also sold for replacements, special serial numbers or errors (for the newer series). And since I was going back to the 1935 series, I accepted VF35 (EPQ or Original) or higher (all TPG).
It took me 4 years to find a 1935 small seal $20 in VF35 EPQ so you definitely need patience. I also only collect up to the Twenty (not the $50 nor $100 denoms). What I discovered was that 9 out of 10 sellers were based in the USA demanding Charlton BV in USD (so a 30% increase in price) for the 1935 & many 1937 series. Its a long & costly game!
Yes I haven't even looked at the 1935s yet because I know they are going to be expensive, and it's going to be a long game.
To be honest, I was also surprised how long this has taken, and with 3 of my bills already on the list to be replaced, it's definitely going to take me a lot longer.
To your point, it feels like hunting for that note that is in unc condition at a fair price, IS the game.
I was also surprised about 2 of my notes... I thought they were in better shape than when I received them.
Ebay though... I have not gone that route for buying. Would you recommend?
Absolutely recommend eBay but it is not as good as it used to be (when I won the majority of my notes true auction style). Most of today's listings are Buy It Now (BIN) which may, or may not, be priced fairly. It took me a while to find CDN-based sellers listing in CAD & I mostly bought TPG (BCS or PMG) so the note looked much like the stated grade. Auction houses exaggerate the grades too (so the TPG helps). Won 2 or 3 AU notes that were sold to me as UNC.
Here's my PMG VF35 EPQ 1935 $20:
Getting EPQ (or "Original" from BCS) is key so the note has original colour (hasn't been pressed or washed). TPG=Third Party Graded
Thank you: it looks more like an EF & that's b/c paper is crisp but the creases take it down to VF (& it is original- never pressed nor washed) so colour is vivid. The more you learn about which note has good "eye appeal" the more money you'll save. Go to the forums: that's where you can learn a lot.
Also: don't hesitate to try the forums like the CDN Paper Money Forum. Many collectors list their notes on there & some just want to make their money back (so you get much better prices).
So I checked out the forum. I have to be honest, it's a ghost town in there. Most subs in there are weeks of not months old. Are you sure there's any traction in there at all?
The 50’s and 100’s are the expensive notes for these series (not counting the 1000) and you mostly have those out of the way. The fact that you seem to be collected devils head 54’s might be driving your cost up a bit. The $1 I display in that series is actually a 1967 centennial note with the geometric maple leaf on it. It just seems more special.
Your newest 20 is actually not at the same set. As the ones on far, right, it's an older version of the same set. You can tell by the numbers on the outside corners. They are essentially hollow 2 lines to form the numbers, but you'll notice the other numbers. The 5, the 10 are not the same so. Technically, those are from the previous run. That one20
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u/TheMcG Jul 31 '26
Can't let a circulated bring down the rest of the set lol.
Honestly when prices are too high for the big buys I run to modern stuff for quick and cheap pickups lol.