Do you have inherited banknotes?

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Do you have inherited banknotes?

Maybe a family member died and you got inherited banknotes. Collectors often leave an estate with banknotes and other special collectibles – sometimes assembeled over decades, even generations. However, the family members who have inherited these items may not be interested in keeping the collection or building it up.

If you’re in this position, we can help. We will guide you through successfully selling your inherited banknotes in a controlled, organised way. Closely examining the collection with our help could result in a better valuation.

Consignment Guidelines
FAQs

Some initial tips to help you preserve the value of your inherited banknotes

Banknoten Sammlung

1. Preserve the original system

Don’t alter how the banknotes have been arranged in the albums, or even the order of the albums or boxes. There will often be a system at play that will help our expert more quickly determine the value of your banknotes.

2. Remove nothing

Do not remove banknotes from the collection or cut something, as you may inadvertently damage them.

4. Retain documents

If you have been left invoices, certificates and other documents relating to the collection, keep them all. They can provide information about the rarity, quality and authenticity of individual banknotes.

3. Protect the collection

Protect your inherited banknotes from humidity and light. Do not store them in completely airtight conditions and avoid using non-acid-free plastic folders.

5. Keep it all together

For now, keep together everything that belonged to the collector. Specialized literature, for example, can give an indication of the value of the collection or may even have its own value.

Banknotes

What determines the value of my inherited banknotes?

Determining the market value of inherited banknotes is usually impossible for laypeople. It is better to have your collection appraised by banknote experts and numismatists. They know which objects are currently popular and take many criteria into account when determining the value of your banknotes, such as:

  • Age and Year of Issue
  • Rarity
  • Collection Area
  • Currency Validity
  • Quality and Condition
  • Misprints and Specialities

Rarity, Age and Year of Issue

Many people believe the age and year of issue of a banknote play an important role in determining value. While these elements aren’t completely irrelevant, rarity is more important. The rarer a banknote, the more valuable it is. As with most works of art, demand determines price.  With banknotes, the quality and material are also key factors in determining value. 

Collecting Area

Different factors affect the value of banknotes. Good condition and minimal damage are also important. Some banknotes are in particuarly high demand (and therefore may fetch a good price):

  • German banknotes – Old Germany and large parts of the German Reich, as well as the early post-war years, especially in uncirculated condition.
  • First issues of all classic countries
  • Asia, especially China

Misprints and Specialities

Misprints or specialities are extremely rare and therefore highly valued by collectors. Test banknotes are popular collector’s items as well.

banknotes

How do I know the value of my inherited banknotes?

Certain factors can be clues as to whether the collection of your inherited banknotes has been assembled knowledgeably and if your inheritance is valuable:

  • Is the collection organized and systematically structured?
  • Were the banknotes purchased from reputable dealers or at auction as single lots?
  • Are there certificates from banknotes examiners or even old invoices attached with the collection?
  • Is the focus of the collection on “old” issues, i.e. ideally before 1945?

If  banknotes have been collected in special banknote albums, the collector has probably invested more in his hobby than most amateur collectors. Illustrated albums contain structured sheets on which banknotes for a particular country or geographical area are printed chronologically. This format makes it easy to judge the completeness of a collection. The more complete the album, the greater its value.

In the case of banknotes, a quick glance at the album will tell you whether the collection is organised by country or area, or across the board. 

You can use specialised catalogues as well. However, this is a catalog value and has nothing to do with the market price. Catalog prices reflect the value of the banknotes in relation to each other. The higher the catalog value of a banknote, the higher the percentage that can be expected at sale. The total catalog value of a collection is usually made up of a few good banknotes and a lot of plain, cheap banknotes that are available in large quantities.

Accompanying documents such as certificates of authenticity, attestations, or auctionanddealerinvoices can add value to your banknotes.

banknotes

Who can estimate the value of my inherited banknotes?

To get a solid estimate of your inherited banknotes, seek advice from experts. Banknote experts and numismatists working in renowned auction houses are not only specialized in their field but also know the value of many banknotes from other countries. You can drop by any C.G. Collectors World location for an appraisal. 

But how does an appraisal work? In a professional appraisal, the banknote experts or numismatists start to get an idea. For smaller collections, the banknotes will be valued individually.

If the banknotes collection is comprehensive, experts will search explicitly for high-value items that will be easy to sell.

You will be offered a fair market price for any high-value banknotes and the next steps will be discussed. Find out about the consignment procedure:

Consignment Process
FAQs

banknotes

Where can I sell my inherited banknotes?

There are various ways to sell your inherited banknotes, for example online platforms, trade fairs or dealers. However, the best result can be achieved by selling your estate at auctions.

A dealer will only consider purchasing items from your banknote collection if he believes he can resell them at a profit. An auction house, on the other hand, is always interested in achieving the highest possible hammer price. The higher the hammer price, the higher the

commission for the auction house. C.G. Collectors World auction houses are reliable, experienced and international. 

Our qualified banknote experts and numismatists will carefully prepare your objects for auction. Your banknotes are then professionally marketed to our worldwide customers, giving your collection the best chance of achieving the highest possible hammer price.

Interested in an initial estimate of your banknotes? Get in touch via our contact form or email us directly and attach photos of your objects.

Contact Form



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