Tuesday 30 September 2008

Paper Money - catalogs


I was utterly dissapointed with this catalog. Krause publications has had years since the previous edition was released to come up to speed with current market conditions and values but have failed, once again, to do so. I would love to find world banknotes at the prices quoted in this new catalog which is supposed to reflect current values. You are better off keeping the previous volume as there is really no difference in pricing which is astounding concidering the market increase in the last two years. I shall refrain from purchasing this particular volume again! Standard Catalog Of World Paper Money General Issues 1368-1960 (Standard Catlog of World Paper Money 13th edition: General Issues)

As an anthology of history, it's a terrific look into colonialism, revolution, race relations, inflation, civil unrest and war. Great pictures, excellent annotations (lots of typos and misspellings, though not as many as in the new 1961-present volume, which may have been edited by sixth graders) and easy-to-follow chronological presentation.



As a price guide, it's still sadly lacking - there has been no serious updating of most French and British colonial values (although the values for most of the notes of France itself have been significantly increased) as well as post-WWI inflationary issues (Hungary, Poland, Germany), which all sell for considerably more than listed in the book. Just a short visit to eBay on a Sunday afternoon will dispel any notion that the price listings for these and other issues are even in the same ballpark as reality.



For the time being, it's the best thing going and well worth the price, as long as you supplement it with some online auction surfing and a couple visits to coin and currency shows, just to see what the stuff is actually selling for. - Catalogs'


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