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Coin, Money & Stamp Categories

Paper Money - General

Coin, Money & Stamp Categories


The first known paper money originated in China, where it was a technological side effect of the development of block printing. Paper money was relatively unknown in the West until Sweden issued banknotes in 1661. Prior to Swiss banknotes, the only mention of paper money in Europe was a brief mention from Marco Polo several centuries earlier.

Most paper money today is fiat currency, which means it is based on a promise by the issuing government that it will always be redeemable. Before the widespread adoption of this system, paper money was backed by either a gold or silver standard. In the United States, silver certificates circulated from 1878 to1964. These certificates were and still are legal tender, but until 1968, they could also be exchanged for silver $1 coins.

An interesting trend in paper money has been the evolution of anti- counterfeiting techniques. Although paper money was originally considered very challenging to falsify, this changed as printing methods became more accessible. There is an astonishing plethora of security features present on various paper currencies worldwide. One of the latest trends is to replace the paper in the money with a plastic polymer, which lasts much longer and is much more difficult to counterfeit, although it is somewhat more expensive to produce upfront.


Quick Facts

  • In the '30s, a $100,000 gold certificate was issued to facilitate the transfer of money between American Federal Reserve banks. Adjusted for inflation, that bill would be worth just shy of $1.75 million today
  • Although Sweden is credited with formally introducing paper money to the West, they are also likely to be among the first nations to abandon it. Many of Sweden's leading banks offer limited cash transactions
  • The most expensive paper money ever sold at auction is the Grand Watermelon, a $1,000 Treasury note that sold for a record $3.29 million in 2014

Recommended Items at Auction

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Emergency Money, Westerland/Sylt, 1920, Creditverein
May 10, 10:00 AM CEST
Emergency Money, Westerland/Sylt, 1920, Creditverein
by Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg
Est: €0- €0
€400 Bids
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100 BCW Currency Sleeves, New/Sealed
May 13, 4:00 PM EDT
100 BCW Currency Sleeves, New/Sealed
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $1- $5,000
$10 Bids
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Currency Holders. Fractional, Large, & Standard Sizes.
May 13, 4:00 PM EDT
Currency Holders. Fractional, Large, & Standard Sizes.
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $1- $5,000
$10 Bids
- 50 DOLLARS CENTRAL BANK OF BELIZE 01/05/1990 SUP+
May 07, 10:00 AM CEST
- 50 DOLLARS CENTRAL BANK OF BELIZE 01/05/1990 SUP+
by Capitolium Art
Est: €300- €400
€500 Bids
- 20 DOLLARS CENTRAL BANK OF THE BAHAMAS 1974 SPL
May 07, 10:00 AM CEST
- 20 DOLLARS CENTRAL BANK OF THE BAHAMAS 1974 SPL
by Capitolium Art
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€1,0000 Bids
Silver Certificate (7) & $2 Bills (6) [190890]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Silver Certificate (7) & $2 Bills (6) [190890]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $60- $100
$300 Bids
Postal Savings System $1 Note 1936 [194318]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Postal Savings System $1 Note 1936 [194318]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
Weinberg's Palace Shoe House Advertising Scrip [196052]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Weinberg's Palace Shoe House Advertising Scrip [196052]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $50- $100
$250 Bids
Postal Savings $1 Note 1917 [194317]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Postal Savings $1 Note 1917 [194317]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
Bishop's Central Store House Scrip [193409]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Bishop's Central Store House Scrip [193409]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $100- $300
$500 Bids
World's Fair Million Silver Dollar Scrip 1962 [195164]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
World's Fair Million Silver Dollar Scrip 1962 [195164]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $60- $100
$300 Bids
Bank of the Ohio Valley $3 Currency Replicas [195145]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Bank of the Ohio Valley $3 Currency Replicas [195145]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $60- $100
$300 Bids
Bank Note Cigar Cardboard Unused Boxes, 3 [196520]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Bank Note Cigar Cardboard Unused Boxes, 3 [196520]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
Humorous Scrip from 1880: Absolute Money [194757]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Humorous Scrip from 1880: Absolute Money [194757]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
Wells Fargo & Company Travelers Check $10 [194300]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Wells Fargo & Company Travelers Check $10 [194300]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $100- $300
$500 Bids
J. S. G. Boggs Collection [195141]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
J. S. G. Boggs Collection [195141]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
Continental Currency (4) [194321]
May 04, 8:00 AM PDT
Continental Currency (4) [194321]
by Holabird Western Americana
Est: $120- $240
$600 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Paper Money - General


Holabird Western Americana

Holabird Western Americana

Capitolium Art

Capitolium Art

Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer

Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer

Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg

Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg