Before buying rare currency there are some things you should be aware of.

1. Differences of opinion on grading - A difference of opinion on grading can GREATLY effect the value of a note. What one dealer sincerely believes is an MS65 note, another dealer may call MS64 or even MS63!

2. Certified notes - Not all grading services are created equal. Some enjoy widespread acceptance and others do not. Also there are some counterfeit slabs in the marketplace!

3. Doctoring of notes - Some notes that have been folded or crumpled have been ironed. Some notes have been trimmed. Pinholes can be worked on to make them almost invisible. These things are done to improve the appearance and raise the grade and of course the price of the note.

4. Sometimes the popularity of a note causes its price to be much higher than its actual rarity would warrant. The $5 Indian Chief and the $10 Buffalo Bill are two glaring examples.

5. There is no such thing as Santa Claus. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is!

After having been stung quite a few times I decided to collect high quality intaglio prints of rare currency, instead of the actual currency. These intaglios are just as beautiful as the real currency and cost a tiny fraction of the price!

Good luck and be careful out there!