Customer Reviews

Standard Guide To Small Size U.S. Paper Money: 1928 to Date

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I agree with many of the reviewers comments. This is a very useful book, it is a must for the serious small size currency collector. Quality control is a major problem however. There are just too many errors which cause confusion. I am surprised that KP books can't do a better job. These errors run through all of the editions 5, 6, and now 7. These errors cause one to question some of the pricing information. A typical example is in the 7th edition, 2004 A Atlanta star listing. 96,000 sheets? What does that mean? It has been widely reported that there was a printing of 9,600. I suggest Oaks, Schwartz and Lindquist take special care with the 8th edition and perhaps find a new editor.

Disappointing is too kind a word to describe this book. The number of glaring errors and omissions in this book make it a complete waste of money. Do yourself a favor and do not buy this book even though it will most likely be heavily discounted as sellers try to unload their stock. Oakes and Schwartz should be wholly ashamed of themselves and the editor, Edler, should never work again in that capacity. What a shame!

An incredible book if your looking for a complete reference book to use on a daily basis. This reference book is updated every year which is very important to any Small-Sized U.S. Paper Currency collector. I find this book gives spot on values for each and every small-sized U.S. note that anyone could have an interest in collecting. I use this reference book like I use my right arm so that should tell you just how important this reference book is to my collecting. I purchase the revised book every year without question. No collector should ever be without this book. Well lets say any serious collector should never be without this book !!!

This long awaited 5th edition is, in my opinion, a great disappointment. Firstly, the photographs are of a very poor quality. Many are dull, out of focus and just plain worn out. After being continually recycled through five successive editions is it any wonder? To give you an idea, imagine photocopying a picture, then copying the copy and copying that copy and so on and so on. Do that five times and that's the kind of quality we're talking about. Also, the entire Two Dollar bill section has NO protographs what-so-ever. Obviously in their rush to get this edition out somebody forgot about the two dollar photos. There are also numerous typographical errors, information in the wrong columns and in some cases information missing altogether. The values quoted are another matter entirely. While most have shown a modest increase, a large number have remained static while an equally large number have gone backwards. While values can indeed go backwards in the real world it is hard to tell if this is a true reflection of a somewhat overheated note market stabilizing itself or if it is just another error. In addition, some of the "expanded" and "updated" sections are identical to the previous edition. Don't get me wrong, this is still a valuable reference for all small size note collectors, and one of the few devoted entirely to small size notes, but it seems quality control went out the window in the rush to get this edition out. It could have, and indeed should have, been a heck of a lot better.

This volume is even more complete in its listings than the previous editions. It has a better listing of modern uncut sheets, although quantities printed would be a much-needed addition. The book is clear, concise and valuable as a necessary element in the reference library of any collector of small-size notes.

This edition was updated significantly since the last one came out. More serial numbers and star notes are listed.

Still it need more listing and better explanations of grading/pricing for each series. Also the values seem high, although not as bad as previous edition.

I personaly collect Star Notes, I have been hording GL's and GF star notes. I was waiting on the book release for value's, just to find they have incorrect figures for printings. They have 96,000 for the unbelievably low 9600 print of the Atlanta(GF) $10 star notes.

So, I as well as 3-4 other collectors wait again till next years release for the correct numbers and therefore guide on value. Maybe the mistakes are how they sell new editions? Guarantee sales?

OK, I collect coins and have very little interest in currency. That being said, questions always come up abut US currency and it never hurts to have another reference book.

This is exactly what I needed. As with most reference books, the question is always "current edition (new,expensive) vs. older edition (cheap)." I seem to invariably lean to the older edition, and for this one, that's what I would definitely recommend.

I just puchased the New 6th Edition. I think I'll save my money on the 7th and future editions. You would think that they would have the current serial numbers for the 2003 two dollar bills. The 5th edition was in error and now a chance to fix the problem and it never got resolved. My reccomendation is to buy the 5th edition USED and to use ebay's completed auctions to find out the going rate on prices.

This book is excellent for the coin and paper money collector in your family. I recognize a number of the listings and the values are startling in some instances. [...]
A website tracts auctions of paper money. [...]
A number of auctioneers handle paper money like Bowers and Merena
at 800-458-4646.

For collectors, this acquisition could prove invaluable.