Common questions about foreign money

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What determines the value of collectible currency?
The value of collectible currency depends almost entirely on its condition or state of preservation. Often, age, date and foreign currency exchange rates do not mean much. Currency in perfect mint condition is always worth more to collectors. However, only trained and experienced coin and currency dealers, who are very familiar with foreign money, are able to realistically estimate the current value of collectible bills. Furthermore, only a physical inspection will reveal aspects of a bill that cannot be detected otherwise. The use of virtual, high resolution image scans, printouts and photocopies, in place of the actual currency, is insufficient for conducting an effective evaluation.

Is there anyone on the Internet that will buy my foreign money, since I am not a collector?
There are coin dealers on the Internet who buy foreign money for resale to collectors, but in order for them to make you an offer for your consideration, the bills must be inspected in person. For this reason, it is suggested that you search within your local area first. For tips on how to look for a coin dealer near you, click here

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Do you wire transfer money overseas?
We do not provide any type of financial services. We sell individual pieces of currency bills by mail, for collectors only.

Is collectible foreign money a good investment, like precious metals or stocks and bonds?
Some people do invest in extremely rare currency, but unless the investor is a true expert on all aspects of foreign money, investing any significant amount is normally not recommended. This principle applies to any type of collectible, not just foreign currency.

If two bills from the same country have are of the same amount, and they are both crisp uncirculated, why is one valued higher than the other?
Slight differences can make one scarcer, and scarcer bills usually cost more. A different series, signature, serial number prefix, or even just a minor detail, can sometimes have a significant effect on the collector value.

Is the money in this Web site real?
We sell only genuine money for collecting and educational purposes. Its authenticity is guaranteed, or your payment will be refunded fully if you are not entirely convinced.

What condition are these bills in?
All currency bills sold on this Web site are strictly in crisp uncirculated condition (mint unused).

How much are these foreign bills worth?
They are worth retail price because they are in crisp, uncirculated condition. Currency exchange rates are not relevant when the bills are collectible and in a mint state of preservation.

Is this like a currency exchange Web site?
The purpose of this Web site is not to exchange or transfer foreign currency, but to serve collectors, hobbyists and anyone interested in the beauty of foreign money itself. A currency exchange bureau handles foreign cash for spending, but it is most often not in crisp, clean condition. In order to collect currency notes and fully enjoy the colorful artwork on them, they must be crisp uncirculated.

Can this money be spent overseas?
In the majority of cases, not anymore, because most of the bills we carry in stock have been phased out of circulation. We specialize in offering only genuine bills from the past that have historical significance and numismatic value.

How long does it take for my order to arrive?
Orders are sent by First Class Mail within the United States, which takes an average of five (5) business days to arrive. For most addresses outside of the United States, please allow a minimum of 3-4 weeks for your order to arrive. To check on the status of an order, you may visit our authorized online charge card processor at: www.ccnow.com




My crisp uncirculated bill has a dimple on the edge, next to the security strip. Is this a defect?
The security thread dimple is not a defect. It is a natural occurrence in most crisp uncirculated money with a security strip. It usually shows up as a crescent-shaped dent at either or both ends of the strip. The dimple, which can range from a few millimeters long to almost three-quarters of an inch, does not reduce the collectible value of a crisp uncirculated bill.

What do some collectors mean when they say, "the catalog price"?
Some reference catalogs published for use by currency collectors have approximate values for each type of bill. To read more on this subject, click here

Why doesn't this Web site offer for sale any money from places like England, Switzerland, or the European Union?
Due to security considerations, our credit card processing company has recommended that bills from certain regions of the World not be offered for sale on our Web site.

Why is there a limit of one per person or address on some items?
A limit has been set for reasons related to the question listed above.

Why does American currency appear on a Web site that is all about foreign money?
To help make the list of countries that print money as complete as possible, and to serve collectors in Canada, Japan, Australia and the European Union, we are making American collector currency available through our Web site.

Do you sell money from Panama?
Panama is an independent, sovereign nation that does not have its own bills, even though they do issue their own coins. Panama coins are denominated in balboas. In the near future, we hope to offer Panama coins for sale.




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