Samoa 2 Tala Serial #

I recently bought a Samoan 1990 2 Tala.

Krause lists P-31a through P-31e, plus P-31s (specimen). P-31e includes serial # prefix AAE-AAK, according to Krause.

Our page for this note breaks it down instead into separate lines for AAE, AAF, AAG, AAH, AAI and AAK. Now, I only have the SCWPM 1961-present 24th ed., so maybe the 25th ed. also does this. Or maybe it doesn't, and we've invented arbitrary Pick numbers.

Here is a note identical to the one I bought, prefix AAN, which is not listed in Krause or on Numista. It lists it as P-31e despite AAN obviously falling outside the range of AAE-AAK, a trend I notice in multiple online listings for this note with prefix AAN.

Normally I'd just add a line for the new prefix, but I don't know what's going on with this. Do I just call it P-31n following the lead of other lines? Here is an ended auction for an array of these notes with different prefixes - it also includes AAL, likewise not listed here or in Krause.

Any advice on what to add as a new line? Does 25th ed. use these additional sub-Picks, or why are we bothering with Picks in line if they are made up?

I would list it as P-31e.

What typically happens is that blocks (or reams) of notes get printed. So there might have been say 980,000 of the initial AAA prefix. Apparently, only part of the face was engraved for the first prefix (but world currency collectors often seek first prefixes anyway, so demand will be higher for AAA). Then they print the AAB the next time (say in 1992 or 1994)* with a different print run (maybe 640,000)* & so on with the c & d series. Prefix AAC is "completely lithographed" according to my SCWPM. Prefix AAE-AAN was probably the last & largest print run/order and that's why it gets the last "e" designation. This helps collectors know which is the most common series. The Numista entry for "P-31f to P-31k" looks incorrect to me. I would go by the banknote museum entry here.

* This is my best guess & not based on fact (I do not know how many notes were printed for each run). I have no idea when each print run actually occurred but am just describing how large print runs occur, as they do for most nations. The printing & release of each issue is a staggered process & the 2 Tala was started in 1990. The central bank places orders with the printers due to demand (need) for certain denominations after a period of a few months to a few years. I'm assuming that the Central Bank of Samoa would have placed staggered orders with the NPA (printers) over periods of 2-4 years (as need arose). Their last order (P-31e) may have been just one large order to save money (which also happens) & the Central bank having enough data to know their future needs.

25th ed. has same as you give for P-31a-e (stops with prefix AAK). So made up Picks. Bank Note Museum lists prefixes through AAN as 31e. I would follow BNM lead and put in change request to remove individual lines for prefixes AAF and after and include them in P-31e. I personally have commented that I have AAL in P-31e on Numista page. http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/AUS/SAM/SAM0031.htm

Will

I think k it is fine to have a new line for the Prefixes, if that is how collectors of Samoa collect them. Just submit a new line. You don't have to make up a new Pick number for each line though.