Introduction to
foreign money collecting

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Collecting foreign money is a relatively new hobby, but it is immensely popular around the World.

The term paper money refers to the currency bills from all countries, including those of the United States. It is believed that collecting currency is as old as paper money itself, but there are no records to confirm this. By 1975, however, currency collecting became formally established as a separate branch of coin collecting.

The hobby of collecting currency is called notaphily. The word means love of notes. Note is another word for bill. "Note" is also short for bank note. A bank note is a written promise to pay a specified amount of money.

Not all currency bills are printed on paper; some are printed on a plastic film called polymer. Polymer bills were first developed in Australia, and are ideal for use in countries with tropical climates. Plastic bills resist tears, humidity and stains, and can sometimes outlast paper bills.

Collectors of currency have organized around the World, and they have formed organizations for the advancement of their hobby. The American Numismatic Association serves coin and currency collectors alike, and the International Bank Note Society specifically serves currency enthusiasts.

Collecting foreign money is an ideal way to become familiar with wonderful places, people and cultures of our planet. Through this extraordinary hobby, one can learn history, geography and languages, and also get acquainted with national symbols, political icons, exotic animals and breathtaking scenery. To collect foreign money is to travel to all seven continents, seeing and discovering marvelous things that enrich one's life. Currency collecting imparts knowledge and culture to last a lifetime!


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