Need to ask yourself a few questions. 1) Do I want my notes slabbed? 2) Am I getting them slabbed to sell for top dollar? 3) Is the price of slabbing the notes worth it, if I’m not planning on selling?
Personally, I wouldn’t buy slabbed notes and there are many other collectors who wont either. Slabbing a note might help getting top dollar on eBay but also limits your market if you want to sell them or trade them.
Do what is best for your collection. That is what should guide you.
I'm not a not collector, and wish to sell them for a profit. If I recall correctly the book value was in excess of a hundred dollars each if in high grade. If I could get less without a slab, I would consider it. Not trying to sell here, just trying to explain my motives for asking.
A smart man learns from his mistakes. A smarter man learns from someone else's.
You need to ID the note (Year) before one can answer. The price goes up pre-1957 & you have to factor in FedEx delivery & extras (like membership). Most collectors want their notes to have a minimum value before certifying.
The notes look great (UNC) but the borders look off to me (not sure if its the scan/photo or what). Most collectors want a Gem Unc 66 EPQ grade so the note design must be perfectly centred (equal distance from design to border along entire note). Also, put the notes up to a window to see that the designs match each other perfectly as well (registration must be on for the top grade). If the note looks perfect (no toning, no marks, paper clip indents, etc) then it may be worth it. The other option is to take it to your LCS & ask them if they can send it in (& get their opinion). Sometimes it's cheaper to work through your LCS than to join PMG & incur all the extra costs (or turn to PCGS/Legacy). They usually don't mind giving free advice.
Personally, I wouldn’t buy slabbed notes and there are many other collectors who wont either. Slabbing a note might help getting top dollar on eBay but also limits your market if you want to sell them or trade them.
I am with you on this. Never buy notes that they are sealed in a hard plastic. Despite saying that, I do have three notes that are graded. Two are of the same notes and both graded the same, but I can see one has a visible flaw on it. In my opinion, I can do a better job my self for free. The third one was a note that I do not have, and it was hard to find, so, I have no choice and bought it via auction, costing me more than a thousand dollar.
I appreciate everyone's input, as it has taught me a great deal on collecting notes. By doing greater research I believe that I had over estimated the value of the notes, thus negating any reason I might have for sending them to a TPG.
Still they are wonderful works of art with an interesting history. It may be that I will simply frame them and hang them on the wall in my study.
Thank you all for your thoughtful input.
A smart man learns from his mistakes. A smarter man learns from someone else's.
I appreciate everyone's input, as it has taught me a great deal on collecting notes. By doing greater research I believe that I had over estimated the value of the notes, thus negating any reason I might have for sending them to a TPG.
Still they are wonderful works of art with an interesting history. It may be that I will simply frame them and hang them on the wall in my study.
Thank you all for your thoughtful input.
Please use UV protection glass as natural sunlight will destroy the inks on the notes and they will lose all of their value.
