FAQ's

These high value United States Federal Reserve Notes and Gold Certificates are out of print and prized by both collectors and investors. Unlike many other currency issues, U.S. small size high denomination notes are Federal issues. By law, they still carry legal tender status. It is specifically this legal tender status, rarity and of course high face value that offer an unparalleled draw. This desirability makes high denomination notes, arguably, the most exciting area in collectible US paper money.

The majority of banknotes we offer here at www.highdenomination.com are authenticated and graded by PCGS-Banknote or Paper Money Guaranty. These grading services stand behind their holders with a written guarantee. We also guarantee these third party graded notes to be genuine. For those notes that we sell raw or uncertified, we also guarantee these notes to be genuine "for life." What that means is that if you bought a note from us that PCGS-Banknote or PMG calls counterfeit, then we will buy it back for the sales price (whether you bought it 12 days ago, 12 months ago or 12 years ago.)

PCGS-Banknote and Paper Money Guaranty are the independent, third party currency authentication and grading services that started in 2004-2005. They were originally created as sister companies to larger coin grading firms. Since then, PCGS-Banknote has become independent of its parent company. Certification of collectible currency has revolutionized the hobby. Authenticating, grading and encapsulating with a recognized standard numeric grade has allowed buyers of collectible currency greater assurance of correct grading and hence valuation. The result is greater public participation, price increases and far greater liquidity. PCGS-Banknote and PMG are now considered the industry standard.

The purchase of uncertified or "raw" banknotes (particularly expensive or high grade notes) is not recommended. Doing so leaves the grading opinion with the seller which can be a conflict. Unscrupulous sellers may assign inflated grades in order to net larger profits. The exception would be lower grade notes or notes of lesser value. When there is little price difference in a grade, third party grading is not mandatory.

Yes, we are member dealers for both PCGS-Banknote and PMG. We submit banknotes fully insured to both grading services several times a month. We would be happy to send your submission along with one of ours. We charge a nominal fee over our dealer cost for each note but we'd also be glad to save you money on shared postage to and from the grading services.

My best recommendation has always been to buy the best notes you can afford. Hand pick notes based on rarity, grade and eye appeal and stick with notes that are PMG or PCGS-Banknote graded. Buy notes with the additional qualifiers "EPQ" and "PPQ".

There are an infinite number of ways to collect high denomination notes. One of the most popular ways is to collect is "by type." You could for example pick up one of each denomination, $500 and $1000 Federal Reserve Note. Type collectors generally don't go after scarcer series, rarer districts or tougher seal variations. They're just looking for a nice representative example of each denomination, usually in high grade.

We don't tout certain issues or make guarantees regarding return on investment. Generally speaking, if you carefully select your notes, hold them long enough and then sell them into a strong market you could do very well over time. Contrarily, lower grade or damaged $500s & $1000 Federal Reserve Notes do not appreciate in value! Although most people have never seen a $500 or $1000, they are common in low grade. They simply have "no reason" to appreciate.

Collector grade banknotes fall into the grade range of EF and AU. Notes in these grades appeal to collectors because they have good "eye appeal" but are not as expensive as notes in the UNCIRCULATED grade range. Collector grade notes generally chug along with the general economy and show small, steady increases over time. – Investment grade or investment quality notes are UNCIRCULATED banknotes or notes of extreme rarity. These notes are fairly volatile and can show significant price swings on both the up and down side depending on general market conditions.

5K and 10K notes are rare and relatively expensive. We call them "ultra-high denoms" as they really are in a league of their own compared to $500 and $1000 high denomination notes. They can no longer be purchased at two or three times their face value like the 500s and 1000s. A $5000 or $10000 Federal Reserve Note would run $125,000 – $200,000 in today's market. Even badly damaged ultra high denoms have a basal value of $50,000.

$500s and $1000s are particularly popular gifts around the Holidays. We sell more high denomination notes in December than any other month in the year. What I hear the most is that people want to give a $500 that looks "respectable" but don't want to spend "an arm and a leg" either. VERY FINE would be an appropriate grade. Notes in this grade range run $1250 - $1750.