Currency Note Due Diligence

Hi all visitors to my blog,

Today I came up with a simple but effective 3 step due diligence process on purchasing currency notes. I experienced the awful experience of having bought a washed note before from a flea market dealer and paid a hefty price for the lesson. As such I'm eager to share some simple tips on how to see if your note is genuine and whether it has been adversely processed or damaged before.

I also endeavour to check all the notes that I have displayed on this blog to ensure a pleasant and valued numismatic experience for all fellow collectors and newbies who are keen to keep a part of our nation's history. For anyone who would like me to help verify your old notes you can contact me on paulsnumismaticpassions@gmail.com for a free verification service. Sharing the passion :)

Do enjoy the read!

Step 1: Physical Examination

- Proper Due Diligence
Always request to physically inspect the note before purchase. Also insist to have the note removed from its lamination especially if the note is of significant value. Only notes that have been graded by 3rd party professional graders like PMG are fine to be kept in their certified pouched folder which preserves the note's value. Below is an example of a graded note by PMG based in the USA. You can trust the grade and authenticity of the note if it's been certified by a 3rd party grader. Notes that have been washed, damaged etc will be indicated by them as such.

Certified note by PMG, as having grade of 55 and exceptional paper quality or EPQ indicated on the top right. 

- Visual inspection. 
The colours on an original and unprocessed note should look vibrant and lively. The paper should also look whole and in a solid piece.

Example of a washed note. notice the colours especially on the orchids are dull. the paper also looks limp and soft. 

Example of an original note. the colours are vibrant and the paper is whole and firm.  It is fine to have natural ripples on the note paper as this is part and parcel of the natural ageing of notes. Do not attempt to press these natural ripples as it may lower the value of the note. 

- Touch Inspection. 
Feel whether the note is 'limp'. Limp would mean that the note doesnt feel crisp like a new note. Take a new paper dollar note and feel it. It should feel crisp, firm and have a nice whole texture. When a note has been washed it would feel limp and 'thinned'.

Example of a limp and washed note

Example of a crisp and original condition note. 

Step 2: Smell Examination

- Take the note and smell it. It shouldnt smell of any strong chemical smell. For eg. a note that has been washed with chlorox would have a strong bleach or chemical smell.

Step 3: UV examination

- You can use UV light to see if the note has been washed. In a dark place shine your UV light on the note to see if there are any blotches that are obvious tell-tale signs that the note has been washed.

Notice the top middle part of the note. There are blotches which show that the note has been washed by chemicals before to lend an appearance of a higher grade. 

This is how an original note should look like. Notice the clarity of the note under UV light without any blotches.

Notice how the security features are glowing clearly. No visible blotches on the note with perfect clarity. This note was certified with exceptional paper quality by PMG.