Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations [Hardcover]

Arthur L. Friedberg (Author), Ira S. Friedberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The standard reference work on paper money

PAPER MONEY OF THE UNITED STATES -
A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE WITH VALUATIONS
Eighteenth (2006-2007) Edition by Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg

based on the original work by Robert Friedberg (1912-1963)

Includes:

large size notes * fractional currency * small size notes * encased postage stamps from the first year of paper money (1861) to the present

Also contains sections on confederate states notes, colonial and continental currency, error notes

From the Publisher

Fifty-three years ago, the late Robert Friedberg (1912-1963) broke new ground when the Treasury Department granted permission for photographs of American paper money to be printed for the first time. The inaugural edition of Paper Money of the United States introduced other innovations never before attempted, as well. The subject became standardized and the book earned a permanent place on reference shelves. During the past twenty-eight years, it has been completely revised and edited by Ira and Arthur Friedberg, who is also the current president of the International Association of Professional Numismatists. New information has been added and valuations adjusted, enabling the reader to establish the collector's value of any note. It is recognized as a landmark work and is the undisputed standard reference on American currency -- internationally acknowledged as the most comprehensive and universally quoted guide on the subject.

As with any price catalogue, the eighteenth edition of Paper Money of the United States is a snapshot in time - and as 2006 draws to a close, a remarkable time it is. Never in the history of paper money collecting have prices shown such a dramatic, across the board increase - so much so that some prices needed to be raised further even as the book was already at the printer. It is now fully revised and updated, and published by The Coin & Currency Institute of Clifton, N.J.

This issue includes twenty-three pages of color photographs (three more than in previous editions) mostly illustrating the collections of the American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Another interesting feature is a table and graph showing the price history of uncirculated type notes as reflected in editions of the book from 1953 to the present. Making its first appearance is a section on United States Paper Money Errors, compiled by Fred and Doris Bart, who are the recognized authorities on the subject. This chapter illustrates, describes and gives price indications for the types of errors usually found on currency. Also included for the first time is a complete listing of Large Size Star Notes. While these are much more frequently encountered in the current size currency, they were issued for large size currency beginning in 1910. All of them are quite rare in comparison to their regular-issue counterparts, with which they are listed in sequence. Large Size Note collectors will find that the addition of five notes in the section devoted to the Legal Tender Notes of 1862 and 1863 introduces new Friedberg Numbers 17b, 93a, 93b, 124a and 126c.

From the first year of Federal paper money, 1861, to the present, the fronts and backs of all classes and types of currency, from 3 cents to 10,000 dollars are illustrated. These are accompanied by text listing, describing and pricing every variety of paper money ever issued in as many as six states of preservation, from Very Good to Choice Uncirculated (more than 10,000 prices). This is the first time in the book's long history that so many prices are listed. There are close to 1,000 photographs in total. The result is a complete pictorial, descriptive and numismatic history of the currency of the United States. There are also supplemental sections on Colonial and Continental Currency (notes issued from 1680 to 1788), the Treasury Notes of the War of 1812, considered by some to be the first national currency, a comprehensive listing by type of the issues of the Confederate States of America, and a complete listing of the 14,348 National Banks that existed from 1863 to 1929 when these institutions were allowed to issue currency.

Paper money collectors depend on the Friedberg Numbering System, a uniform method of cataloguing bank notes that is the international standard for American currency. This numbering shorthand, along with the hundreds of photographs, enables anyone to instantly locate a specific banknote, and allows a dealer to advertise a note without need of extensive description.

A distinguished panel of acknowledged experts on paper money has assisted the authors, enabling them to establish accurate and up-to-the minute valuations for all issues.

Paper Money of the United States has been an invaluable asset to currency collectors and numismatists for half a century. It possesses an appeal and value of its own, not just to lovers of Americana and of the fine art of engraving, but to students of American history, finance and economics.

Banks in America and throughout the world will find this book especially useful in that it makes possible the immediate identification of all obsolete but still legal tender paper money, while simultaneously giving the collector's value of each note. It is a book which belongs in every library, public and private.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Coin & Currency Institute; 18 edition (October 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871845180
• ISBN-13: 978-0871845184
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #535,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still a classic, but ..., February 18, 2007

By	Gerald Glasser "Jack Ackerman" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Hardcover)

The Friedberg book continues to be a classic reference for U.S. Paper Money. However, its strength is still pre-1928, large size notes. There are far better references for small size paper money, notably the Standard Guide to Small Size U.S. Paper Money by Schwartz and Lindquist. For example, that book catalogs blocks, mules and other variations, something that friedberg doesn't even mention. However, having said that, Friedberg is still an important book for anyone interested in U.S. paper money to have in their library.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for the Currency Collector., January 9, 2000

By	A currency lover (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Hardcover)

This is the standard reference work on United States Currency for the collector. While the prices given are pretty much obsolete in the volatile currency market, the Friedberg Numbering system is universally used by dealers and collectors alike. If you are considering participation in floor or online auctions, you cannot tell what you are bidding on without this book, as all notes will be listed by FR#. Well worth the investment!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Guide & Catalog, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Hardcover)

This book is a must-have for the serious US currency collector, along with the Standard Catalog, 17th edition. Together they provide a great catalog and price guide for US Treasury issues. There are good sections on fractionals and Confederate currency, and decent treatment of colonials. No obsoletes or military payment certificates. The black and white photos are quite a bit larger than those in the Standard Catalog. The color pictures in the back are a nice touch, but the printing is not the world's greatest -- many of the reds come out as pinks, the greens look almost fluorescent, etc.

There aren't many anecdotes or interesting bits of trivia, but as a guide and catalog it is top notch.