$500 Questions or FAQ

Yes! Paper Money is Taxable if sold in California and shipped to California. Currently if Paper Money is shipped to another state, it is NOT taxable. My dear Friend google can back this up. Or here's what Coinologist says, "Exemption on Coins and Bullion when over $1500 (does NOT apply to paper money)." Paper Money is taxable. Coinologist.

The Friedberg numbering system was developed by Robert Friedberg, and it is the numbering system used in Paper Money of the United States 20th Edition (released May 15, 2013) by Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg. It is considered the standard, universally accepted method of describing and cataloging United States paper money. These catalog numbers are used as a shorthand method of systematically identifying a particular note based on its design, series, and signature combination. Each Friedberg number represents a unique combination of these factors.

Our typical SKU consists of 4 pieces of information: YY / S / Denom / Serial #: 34 / X / 500 / A12345678A or 34X500A12345678A
1) 2 Digit Year: "28 or 34"
2) Series X or A: "X" means the original series like 28X (only one version of 28's were printed)
3) Denomination: 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 etc...
4) Serial #: All high denom serial #'s start with A, have 8 numeric digits and end with an A (or a Star "*")
There are exceptions to this rule. When "unique" SKU's are used, we believe them to be "self evident" as to what they represent.

Small Size High Denoms were DATED 1928, 1934, & 1934A. Although there were a few 34B & 34C's printed I have never seen any and there aren't any mentioned in the census. They are mentioned in the Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money by John Schwartz & Scott Lindquist.

All 34A's are Mules Paper Money of the United States. When it comes to 1000s 1934 Mules have reverse check number 5 and higher where 1934A Mules have reverse check number 4 and lower.

Mule notes are created when there are changes to the note's plate number, and occur on large and small notes. Mules are produced in several ways. The first and most common mule is leftover stock of "backs" that were already printed from the previous series. The second occurs when old plates are reused. The 629 and 637 backs were produced later when the BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) discovered these two plates were left over and produced notes from them. Mule Notes Clay Irving Collection.

Federal Reserve Note

If you buy a Raw Note, it will come in its own high quality rigid PVC top loader that is meant for todays currency. Dimensions are roughly (some vary in size) 6 7/16 x 2 7/8 and are roughly 3/32 thick. These holders are referred to as 6.5 x 3 - Currency Topload Holders. Many small collectors want an extra currency holder, we're happy to provide you with an extra with your purchase (if you ask for it in advance). Otherwise if you're looking to buy some, we recommend BCW Top Loaders in a semi-rigid Vinyl.

We assign a grade (both alphabetic and numeric) for ease of convenience to our customers and for sorting capabilities. We do not guarantee the notes will grade exactly as we have assigned them (if you sent them to a 3rd party grading service). We do believe the notes DESERVE the grade we have suggested based on our expertise with numismatics as well as having submitted thousands of notes to 3rd party grading services.

Fake High Denoms are pretty easy to spot. Here's an example (For Illustration only) of a note that was shipped to us by a professional print shop. You can tell the paper has the wrong color, the design ink has the wrong color, and the serial # and Seal are completely the wrong color. To top it off, the font used on the serial number... can you guess? Yes it's wrong too!

The Note pictured above is an Example of a Fake $1000 for illustration only! NOT for Sale!

Counterfeiting is a very serious offense, carrying not only the possibility of state penalties but Federal penalties as well, if the government were to get involved. A Federal conviction for making / passing / possessing counterfeit money could result in up to 20 years of prison. Counterfeiting

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