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Ballers!

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Fenntucky Mike

Entry posted by Fenntucky Mike ·

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There have been some big-time rarities in Ukrainian notes hitting the auction block recently, almost all specimens, and prices have been through the roof! It's killing me that I can't splurge on one or two of these but unfortunately most are out of my price range. Also, as seems to be the norm unfortunately, I disagree with how some of these notes were labeled and the Pick #'s assigned to them, but that didn't seem to dissuade would-be bidders. Anyway, here are a few of the highlights.

Four seldom seen specimen notes with De La Rue overprint, specimen numbers and printer's annotations, all were previously mounted. I suspect that all similar Ukrainian specimen notes with De La Rue overprint will have been mounted as I believe that was how they were presented. These are some rarities, gorgeous notes, and bidding proved strong for all four. All prices are in USD and are the hammer or high bid price only, taxes, BP, shipping, etc. not included. The first two notes were listed and sold separately, when those auctions concluded the next two were listed, also separately. 

$1,775.00 (PMG, 63)

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$1,600.00 (PMG, 63)

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$2,300.00 (PMG, 64)

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$2,550.00 (PMG, 64)

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Next are more Color Trials, and Printer's Designs. The seller seems to have an unlimited supply of these, I'm hoping if they do list more, I'll have an opportunity to pick one up. PMG did label a few of these as "Unlisted Pick" varieties, which I would they rather do than incorrectly label them. It's too bad that Krause went tits up and left this huge void in identifying notes, the Banknote Book seems to keep up but PMG does not currently utilize BB numbers, maybe someday they will as the current state of things is not great. Back to the notes!

$1,125.00 (PMG, 66 EPQ)

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$1,075.00 (PMG, 65 EPQ)

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$900.00 (PMG, 66 EPQ)

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$860.00 (PMG, 66 EPQ)

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$788.00 (PMG, 66 EPQ)

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$720.00 (PMG, 66 EPQ)

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$721.00 (PMG, 65 EPQ)

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$650.00 (PMG, 67 EPQ)

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There are also a few classic notes currently up for auction.

Another 2 Karbowanez with a starting price of $1,480.00

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And last but not least we have an über rare 5 Chervontsiv note with a starting price of $9,535.00, the auction ends Oct 3.

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Overall, quality available notes seem to be drying up as the last few auctions had either very slim pickings and/or common moderns add to fill up the auction. I realize that as my collection becomes larger and more complete there will be fewer notes that I would want to acquire, leaving only "key" notes for me to find. Not acquiring new notes is I suppose it's a blessing in disguise as I'll be able to increase my funds and possibly pick up a few of the rarer notes, but not adding some Ukrainian notes is killing me and to it the frustration of having to watch these beauties pass by on my computer screen. :pullhair: At least I was able to pull images and information for all of them from the auction listings and add it to my records.

In the meantime, I've been picking up a few low-cost notes from other countries to fill the void and hopefully the timing will be right in the near future for the key notes. 

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4 Comments

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VE Coins

Very cool notes, I looked at the auction listing for the 5 chervontsiv and you weren't kidding about uber rare, I wonder how many of those survive when the pmg population is only 3? I have kind of been in the same boat lately, mostly buying notes for other sets or coins and nothing too exciting has come up lately.

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ColonialCoinsUK

Great update - there seems to be alot of modern specimen notes (and proofs/trials etc) around at the moment so it wouldn't surprise me if some dealers/collectors have started to add these. High grade issued notes, particularly already graded examples, seem to be much more difficult to find even for ones that are only a few years old.???

It is not just modern notes which are attracting high prices. Stack's Bowers have just had (14th August) a spectacular collection of Latin American notes up for auction including quite a few notes which are unrecorded and/or are the only known example. It just means my 'Impossible Set' is well-named and some people have more money than sense:roflmao:Having said that quite a few didn't sell as the starting prices were very high,  of the 8 lots that I thought may be possible, 2 went for amazing prices, 2 went for high prices and 4 didn't sell so it will be no surprise that I came away with nothing:(.

I had asked PMG about BB numbers and they said they are looking into it - they already use specialist catalogue numbers for some countries in addition to Pick numbers so it shouldn't be that difficult to do(?). As you say Pick numbers for new issues is a major problem, not to mention all the errors and incomplete data for earlier issues means that they will probably have to use the Banknote Book at some point, not perfect either but much much better:bigsmile:.

Now that your Ukraine collection is very well advanced, and to keep adding things, you just need to include all the former Soviet states, the balkans etc etclol

 

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Fenntucky Mike
On 8/16/2023 at 3:53 AM, ColonialCoinsUK said:

Now that your Ukraine collection is very well advanced, and to keep adding things, you just need to include all the former Soviet states, the balkans etc etclol

Ha! I've already started down that path, way ahead of you. :insane:

On 8/16/2023 at 3:53 AM, ColonialCoinsUK said:

It is not just modern notes which are attracting high prices. Stack's Bowers have just had (14th August) a spectacular collection of Latin American notes up for auction including quite a few notes which are unrecorded and/or are the only known example. It just means my 'Impossible Set' is well-named and some people have more money than sense:roflmao:Having said that quite a few didn't sell as the starting prices were very high,  of the 8 lots that I thought may be possible, 2 went for amazing prices, 2 went for high prices and 4 didn't sell so it will be no surprise that I came away with nothing:(.

A shortly held theory of mine, shared by many no doubt, is that people have been priced out of coins and migrated over to notes. Overall notes are going strong for the most part but I've noticed some softening in the coin market where I collect. I expect a slow downward trend for both notes and coins is on the horizon. (shrug)

On 8/16/2023 at 3:53 AM, ColonialCoinsUK said:

Great update - there seems to be alot of modern specimen notes (and proofs/trials etc) around at the moment so it wouldn't surprise me if some dealers/collectors have started to add these. High grade issued notes, particularly already graded examples, seem to be much more difficult to find even for ones that are only a few years old.???

This seems to be the case for some notes/countries, quality issued notes are of limited supply and currently being held in collections, and sellers turning to the next best, available, thing. 

On 8/16/2023 at 3:53 AM, ColonialCoinsUK said:

I had asked PMG about BB numbers and they said they are looking into it - they already use specialist catalogue numbers for some countries in addition to Pick numbers so it shouldn't be that difficult to do(?). As you say Pick numbers for new issues is a major problem, not to mention all the errors and incomplete data for earlier issues means that they will probably have to use the Banknote Book at some point, not perfect either but much much better:bigsmile:.

The BB only catalogs moderns correct? At least that's the case for Ukraine as far as I know, and if true for all countries the BB would only be a viable replacement for moderns. I've read Owen mention once or twice that they were in contact with PMG but that was awhile ago, I'm not sure if any headway is being made but I hope so. I think one of the possible stumbling blocks is all of the graded notes by PMG that have "mechanical errors" or that wouldn't align with the BB system. The PMG registry is a reflection of what has been graded, mechanical error or not, and to draw a line in the sand and start labeling some notes differently than the have been in the past because the P# doesn't align with the BB#, or the P# being wrong, etc. would completely screw up the registries even more than they are currently. I have a feeling that is a topic of discussion. 

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Fenntucky Mike
On 8/14/2023 at 1:34 AM, VE Coins said:

Very cool notes, I looked at the auction listing for the 5 chervontsiv and you weren't kidding about uber rare, I wonder how many of those survive when the pmg population is only 3? I have kind of been in the same boat lately, mostly buying notes for other sets or coins and nothing too exciting has come up lately.

I'm wondering if the 5 Chervontsiv will receive any bids? That is a pretty high starting price. :fear:

Definitely been the dog days of summer for me, as far as my collections go. zzz

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