| Would it be a wise thing to put away a few crisp | | | | dollar bill. (This is not the time to discuss |
| new dollar bills for the future? As a face value | | | | purchasing power. Just let it go.) |
| investment? Would coins be better? Collectible | | | | So, you get coins and paper money at face |
| paper currency has been with us since the | | | | value, just by removing it from your pocket or |
| Revolutionary War. In most families it was usually | | | | wallet and tossing it into your dresser drawer. Or |
| the coins that were saved, if any money was | | | | neatly tuck each into a special collector envelope, |
| saved at all, during difficult times. | | | | holder, or album. |
| However, the fact that pristine examples of | | | | When you do this, you have made a face value |
| colonial notes can be found in fine currency | | | | investment. Especially if you make the effort to |
| collections today suggests that someone had the | | | | acquire uncirculated specimens at your bank |
| need, or the foresight, to put away a little cash. | | | | instead of from your pocket, you may end up |
| And over time, these mere scraps of paper | | | | guilty of a successful investment. Whether |
| became ever more scarce. Paper money, after | | | | collectible coins or collectible paper currency will |
| all, is not such a durable commodity as coinage. | | | | make the better investment is an open question. |
| As living conditions evolved, and the life of the | | | | If you must choose between the two, here are |
| average citizen improved, there came to be time, | | | | two things to consider: |
| interest and funds for leisure time activities, | | | | There are more coin collectors than paper money |
| hobbies such as coin and stamp collecting, and to | | | | collectors. |
| a lesser extent, the collecting of paper money. | | | | Demand for coins is perhaps higher overall, but |
| Today coin collectors refer to paper money | | | | remember, there are more coins in existence. |
| enthusiasts as Rag Pickers, and worse. However, | | | | Coins tend to last. Paper money is relatively |
| many a coin collector eventually gives in to a | | | | fragile. Well, so it is. A one dollar bill lasts six |
| growing interest in paper as a relevant adjunct to | | | | months in circulation on average. Then it is |
| his growing stash of ancient and glowing metal. | | | | destroyed by the government, with the banks as |
| Both hobbies can be wickedly expensive. | | | | its accomplices. |
| Investment in a choice coin or bill can pay off | | | | Do these facts influence the relative value of |
| rather well. Or not. | | | | coins versus paper. If you answer, I need more |
| But coins and paper bills still circulate. The final | | | | information, you get an A for the day. |
| victory of the credit card, and who knows what | | | | My advice? Make no decision. Just put away some |
| after that, has yet to be concluded. The point is, | | | | nice new coins and some equally fetching |
| even though coins are no longer made of gold and | | | | uncirculated (crisp) paper money. Learn how to |
| silver, or even solid copper for that matter, all | | | | store each. |
| things being equal, a coin will never sink below its | | | | Save them for your grandchildren. |
| face value. And the same can be said for a dollar | | | | In twenty to fifty years they will remember you |
| bill, or a five, ten twenty, fifty, or one hundred | | | | as a genius. |