11/10/08 I plan on adding more CSA as time permits. I have added a few notes in the last few days. I plan on wiping the obsolete section clean and begin building a listing of the huge inventory I have. I will need to cut down on the description and just add the link to the scan to get more notes listed. Sometimes, I just can't help myself in describing these wonderful pieces of history.

October 31-November 2, 2008 - Tennessee State Numismatic Association Show, Camp Jordan Arena, Chattanooga, TN.  One of two annual Tennessee State shows. A larger show than Greenville, SC with good public attendance. Dealers from Florida, NY, AL. TN. NC, GA, IL, IN and a few more comprise the bourse floor. I sold several extremely rare Southern States notes and a good deal of Confederate. Public attendance was down from previous shows I have done in Chattanooga; although those who came to the show did not leave empty handed. The buzz among the coin folks about the spread of actual silver and the spot price was interesting. It seemed that little of the actual product was available on the floor. Those who had silver sold it like hot cakes. With the previous day closing of silver at $9.70 spot; 100 oz Engelhard silver bars flew off one dealers table at the sum of $1600. This is $6.00+ over spot. It seemed the public wanted it, no matter what the cost. Again, I managed to acquire a superb group of about 25 choice obsoletes and some CSA. The trend towards red colored obsoletes with great eye appeal is spreading...and I can see why. These are a tremendous buy at today's prices and where one would be safe in saying "you ain't seen noting yet". A very good show.

October 24-26, 2008 - South Carolina Numismatic Association Show, 1 Exposition Drive, Greenville, SC.  Wow! What a show. The slow trend of the preceding Memphis, Blue Ridge and St. Louis show was certainly reversed at this great show. This is a first class event put on by first class people. Public attendance was quite strong and sales were brisk. It did seem that after 3:00 PM the crowd subsided. However, those in attendance were looking for everything from CSA, Southern States to Obsoletes. Again, a great show and a strong reversal of the lack of confidence many have in the paper money market. Buying opportunities were fair and I did acquire some choice obsolete notes along with a few very rare Southern States notes. A superb show from every respect.

October 16-18, 2008 - PCDA (Professional Currency Dealers Association) Annual Show, St. Louis; St. Charles Convention Center St. Charles, MO.  A small show and sponsored by the PCDA. This show is considered by dealers in attendance to be a "wholesale" show; wherein other dealers acquire inventory from each other. Basically, this show was a bust. All in attendance agreed. It seemed that those dealers in attendance had enough inventory to suit them and were not desirous of obtaining new material. I shared a table with long time and very knowledgeable dealer Greg Ton. Greg and I had a great time. With Hugh Shull right behind us, there was never a dull moment for us! While other folks were not buying; I saw this as an opportunity to acquire new notes; and gladly did so. Some Great CSA along with superb and rare Southern States. While the show was slow, I had a great time and did manage to leave with some money in my pocket; although most importantly, I bought some great notes.

September, 2008 - Long Beach Coin, Stamp, & Collectibles Show, Long Beach Convention Center, Hall "A". Long Beach, CA.  I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to just cruise the bourse floor at this large venue. Locating quality Confederate and Obsolete notes in California is not the easiest thing to do, although I managed to acquire enough to make my trip out West worthwhile. I did take some material with me and sold each and every piece I took. A large show and a great location to sell high dollar material.

August, 2008 - Blue Ridge Numismatic Convention, Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, Dalton, GA.  A wonderful venue with all of the major paper money dealers in attendance. Again, the public attendance was down. While sales maintained previous years levels; it seems as though only collectors known to do shows were present. I, along with a great number of other dealers and collectors have great confidence in the paper money market. While discretionary income may be down, there is certainly no lack of demand for quality paper money. Again, I was fortunate enough to acquire some very nice, fresh material. More often than not, I judge a show on the basis of how much I can buy, not how much I can sell. Selling is the easy part....acquiring new, quality notes is by far the toughest part. Based upon sales and new acquisitions, this show was indeed a successful one.

June, 2008 - 31st International Memphis Paper Money Show, Cook County Convention Center-East Hall, Memphis, TN . My first show after back surgery. For Memphis, the Daddy Rabbit of all paper money shows; public attendance was down. Those who came, came to buy and my sales were not off from previous shows. Given the economic situation, I am not surprised the crowd was down. Auction results were quite strong, with the demand for nice obsolete and Southern States notes on the rise...especially "flashy" red obsoletes. I sold a large number of Confederate bonds, especially those issued in the Trans-Mississippi Department. Great friends, great food and an overall good show. It was good to be "back in the saddle" after back surgery. I did manage to acquire some very nice Confederate and a good quantity of Obsolete notes. Although this web site is woefully lacking in listed obsoletes; i have hundreds of them in inventory. Memphis is Memphis and if you can only do one paper money show a year; this is the show to do.

March 27-30, 2008 - 14th Annual Chicago Paper Money Expo, Crowne Plaza- Chicago O'Hare, Rosemont, IL *Unable to attend. Recovering from Back Surgery

March 7-9, 2008 - Tennessee State Numismatic Show, Camp Jordan arena, Chattanooga, TN. *Unable to attend. Recovering from Back Surgery

February 14-16, 2008 - Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo., Long Beach

Convention Center, Hall A, Long Beach, CA *Unable to attend.  Back Surgery.

2/10/08- February 1-3, 2008 - Chickamauga National Civil War Show, Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, Dalton, GA. Another superb show in terms of sales and seeing god friends. The show is very easy to locate in Dalton, being just off the interstate. I have a great location at this event, with tables just as you come in the door. Those in attendance were very enthusiastic and eager to see anything fresh. If it was fresh to the market, it sold. I am seeing a major swing towards obsolete and Southern States Currency. Confederate is still strong, although the former is definitely picking up steam. I can readily see that nice, problem free obsoletes with red and green color are very much under priced. If I were years younger, I would be buying every one of these I could find and putting them back. I predict a major swing in that market. My back situation is reaching critical mass and it appears I have no option but to undergo surgery....something I definitely do not want to do. Overall, a great show...as usual.

1/17/08 - January 8-12, 2008 Florida United Numismatics (FUN) Show, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL . What can be said about the largest coin/paper money show in the U.S. ? This show is a monster and one could take days looking around the bourse floor. Sales were terrific and buying was difficult, as I was just not able to get away from my table. I was fortunate enough to make several collectors happy with two Montgomery CSA issues, an incredible T-27 and Indian Princess. Other sales were brisk as well, including Southern States and Obsoletes. My main objective now is to begin the frustrating attempt to replace those notes sold. This becomes much, much more difficult with every passing year. Old back problems began to resurface at this show and given the shear size of the convention center plus standing on a concrete floor 14 hours a day did not help.  Otherwise, sales exceeded expectations...if I could only just replace some of the treasures I sold.

12/15/07- -Nashville Civil War Show, Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN.  December 1-2. As always, this show lives up to it's expectations. Simply an incredible show with throngs of people in attendance. If you have ever considered going to a Civil War show, this is the one. By far, the largest in the world with over 1,100 tables in five buildings. Every major dealer of CSA and obsolete currency attends this one,so there is plenty to see. I love the atmosphere of Civil War shows as compared to Coin/Papery money shows. There is just something about being surrounded by Civil War Colts, swords, artillery shells, uniforms; the whole works. Again, I was unable to get away from my table to acquire any new material. Sales were amazing which is the norm for this show. Many good friends from across the country were there and it was great to see everyone. I highly recommend this one!

9/11/07  Blue Ridge Numismatic Association Show, August 23-26 Dalton, GA. Another "robust" show in terms of sales. While I do not wish to run the risk of "sounding like a broken record" in repeating myself; this show was further indicative of the very healthy state of affairs with regard to the paper money market. The Blue Ridge show is one of the larger shows in the country and I highly recommend it if you are desirous of attending a quality coin/paper money event. I placed an immaculate "B" plate T-11; high grade T-47 (essay) and a choice T-33 to name only a few. Once again, I am left with the knowledge that these notes will be difficult; if not impossible, to replace. For the first time in ages, I was fortunate enough to acquire a large number of notes for want lists and general inventory. These notes consisted of several hundred obsoletes and Confederate pieces, including some very high end examples. I attend paper money shows for two obvious reasons. One reason is to sell and the other is to buy. Rarely am I successful in the later category; however, this years Blue Ridge event proved to be an exception. In order to acquire this quantity of material, I paid what many would consider to be too much money. Nonetheless, I am of the philosophy that if you don't pay what it takes to acquire quality notes, someone else will. I see no end in sight to the continued price escalation in Confederate, Southern States and Obsolete Bank notes. A great show.

8/6/07  Memphis International Paper Money Show, July 5-8  Memphis, TN. All I can say about this show is WOW! If you have never attended this paper money show, you should really consider going. Bar none; Memphis is the best show there is. I broke all records for sales at this show and find myself in the desperate position of needing new material. Record sales were achieved without the sale of any note above the price of $7,000. Most of the material I sold was in the $200-$400 price range; which indicates a very widespread interest across the board. For those of you who like the $100 Confederate notes of 1862 (T-39, T-40 & T-41), sales here were outstanding. Military issues, tough watermarks, interest paid locations and dates of issue were red hot. This is a fascinating series to collect, whereby the numbers of those collecting them has increased (justifiably so) dramatically. Long gone are the days that what appeared on the reverse of one of these interest bearing notes made absolutely no difference. In those days, A CU T-41 was $25 Maximum and it's location of issue made no difference. In fact, I can remember when original packs of 100 consecutive T-41's were $125 a pack. Sure do need a time machine! Irregardless, this was an outstanding show and further confirms my belief that the collecting of CSA, Obsolete and other such issues is still in it;

's infancy and has a long way to go. A new group of publications is helping; with authors like Hugh Shull, Pierre Fricke, George Tremmel, Mack Martin, Dave Bowers, Austin Sheheen Jr., Mike McNeil & Wendell Wolka to name only a few. If you are like me; you can not read enough about this material, consequentially, the more that is published, the more interest is increased or created. To sum it up....if you can; don't miss Memphis.

April-July, 2007. Worked the floor of several shows, including Central States, June Long Beach, CA and several others. Quality material is simply drying up ! Along the way, I have been delighted to place several of the CSA "Big 6" (T-1, T-2, T-3, T-4, T-27 & T-35) with collectors. In addition, have continued to service want lists and "beat" the pavement for fresh material. It is tough and getting tougher.

4/19/07  R.M. Smythe Auction, April 11-13  New York, NY. I have attended many of the Smythe auctions held in New York City and report on this one simply to state my opinion of the current market. This auction presented many rare CSA, State and Obsolete notes; along with other important Confederate fiscal documents. Included were a complete set of CSA Montgomery issues, one of which was an exceptionally rare Type 2 (1861 $500 CSA) signed by C.T. Jones as Register. Of the 607 T-2's printed; only the last 24 were signed by Jones, as Alex Clitherall signed the other 583 at Montgomery. Clitherall was not inclined to make the move to Richmond when it was decided that the Capitol of the Confederacy would be located there; consequently Jones signed the remainder. With the appearance of this note, the number of T-2's signed by Jones rose to a "whopping" 5 known. While I was the under bidder on this note and did not acquire it; I did manage to obtain some other significant rarities. Prices realized on rare or very colorful obsoletes from the famous Schingothe collection were astronomical ! Most of these notes went for at least two times estimate and many sold for 10-12 times their estimated value. What does this mean? It means that quality and rarity never go out of style. Many times we are faced with the dilemma of a note being priced to high. If it is a piece you want, and is of high quality and without problems, you had best acquire it. It has been my experience over the years that today's "high priced" notes are next years great bargains. A great auction.

3/15/07 PCDA Paper Money show, March 8-11  Chicago, IL. If anyone thinks there is a down turn in interest regarding all types of paper money, they should think again. This show was very well attended for a smaller "paper money only" event. Those in attendance came to buy...not to look. At this show I made three collectors quite happy by enabling one to acquire the elusive CSA Indian Princess (T-35), another who had long searched for an acceptable T-1, $1,000 Montgomery CSA note and a third who needed an acceptable T-2 $500 Montgomery note to complete his type set. While it is well and good that I was able to place these notes in collections; I am always left with the feeling "where will I find another to replace it"? And so it goes. I further noticed a huge upswing in what I have always deemed common 1864 material. This is in part to new collectors entering the field and starting with this series and in addition, to "program buyers"; i.e., television buyers or the like who will purchase every note in sight of which one has any quantity of. Needless to say; I usually carry two stacks, around 6-7 inches thick (1864 #1 and 1864 #2) of 1864 material to shows and now have one; which is about one inch thick. I think something is up here, whether it be the upcoming 150 year anniversary of the Civil War or the ability of marketers to sell large quantities of CSA notes. 1864 material is in for a ride.

2/9/07  Civil War Show, Feb 2-4  Dalton, GA. As always, an extraordinary show. One of the great pleasures of dealing in CSA, Southern States and Obsolete notes is that I can set up at both coin/paper money shows and Civil War shows. I must admit, that I truly do like attending the Civil War shows best; as I have a deep affection for all Civil War related items. Even though I do not deal in Colt pistols, Spencer Carbines, artillery shells, swords and the multitude of Civil War related items; I must say that I certainly enjoy being surrounded by these precious, historic items. On the paper money front, it was plenty busy and I feel fortunate to have placed many new pieces in the hands of collectors. Action was pretty much non stop; although I did manage a walk around the room late Saturday afternoon. I was able to purchase some new material and had several "deals" brought by my table. A very successful show.

1/10/07  Fun Show, Jan 4-7 Orlando, FL. One of the largest coin/paper money shows in the USA, the FUN show continues to set the tone for the upcoming year. Upon entering this vast arena; one immediately gets the feeling of "how is anyone going to find me"? Believe me; no problem. My primary goal at this show was to spend money on new material if at all possible. I was pleased with the results and although my pocketbook a great deal lighter, I have some fresh, new obsoletes and Confederate notes to offer. I acquired a very nice T-27, among several other "heavy hitters". Again, very little time for socializing and plenty of walking. One word of advice: if you see something at this show that you are interested in, but would like to look around some before purchasing it; you had best have a pad and pen to write the table number down. Even if you know the dealer, it can be extremely difficult to locate their table again...especailly if you are on a tight schedule. This show is that large. I will have a corner table at the January 2008 FUN show and look forward to seeing my many friends once again in Orlando.

12/6/06  The multitudes of people in attendance at the Nashville, TN Civil War Show (Dec 2 & 3) continues to amaze me. I have had a table at this show for many years; and it's growth is exponential. Needless to say; it was near impossible to get away from my table to look around, as business was incredible. Many good friends from all parts of the country were in attendance and it was a definite pleasure to see them. I only wish I had more time to spend with folks; as these shows are absolutely frantic for someone "behind" the table. This years sales exceeded any previous Nashville show...whcih says a great deal. Again, being so busy at my table prevented me from looking around and acquiring new material. I did manage to acquire some choice CSA notes; although at prices many would consider retail. This in no way causes me concern; as by far, the largest problem facing one who deals in this material is locating it. What a show! 1100 tables and growing.

11/26/06  The recent PCDA show in St. Louis (Nov 16-19, 2006) was a successful event. I can without reservation say that Obsolete bank notes are red hot; along with any high quality or rare Confederate note. With each passing show; it becomes readily apparent that locating fresh, quality material is a common problem for all dealers. This situation has long been present; however, in recent months locating quality CSA and Obsolete bank notes for want lists and inventory is becoming next to impossible. As more and more individuals enter this area of collecting; I see no end to it. In addition, the entry into the Confederate and Obsolete market of huge sums of "coin" and 'Federal bank note" money has driven the cost and availability of extremely scarce issues such as the Montgomery's and other ultra rare pieces into the stratosphere. These issues which are problem free and un repaired are simply not to be had. My recent acquisition of a very high end Confederate type set has helped...however, these notes will soon be gone and absorbed into the collecting community. This is no time to say "I remember when this note was so and so". It is time to acquire the pieces you need while they are still somewhat available. In my humble opinion, "we ain't seen nothing yet"!

        I will have a table at the Nashville Civil War show next weekend (first weekend of Dec) and expect another extremely hectic show. For those of you who have never attended the show at Nashville; I highly recommend it. It is the largest Civil War show in the World and some incredible notes always manage to turn up there.

6/19/06  The Memphis show is now history and it certainly lived up to it's annual reputation of being the "daddy rabbit" of all paper money shows. I was unable to leave my table the entire time the show was open to the public as there were as any as three to five people there the

entire show. I was fortunate enough to have some very trustworthy clients who gladly agreed to watch my table when I "had" to leave for a few minutes. Paper money is as strong as I have ever seen it, with new or fresh material nearly impossible to locate. I did locate some nice CSA and obsolete notes, however, had to pay higher than ever prices to obtain it; which I was glad to do. When time permits, I will list what I can here. This is one reason I strongly suggest want lists. Most prime material is spoken for on someone's want list. I work these lists feverishly and strongly suggest that you contact me or mail a copy of what you are looking for. I am at most shows and can locate the material you need in most cases; although on occasion; patience is a plus. I have a huge inventory that is not listed on the site and I

recommend that you contact me if there is something you are looking for. It was great to see my many friends who share the same passion as do I at Memphis. I hope to see you at Long Beach, CA soon.

5/3/06  The recent Central States show in Columbus, Ohio was a very well attended event. There was little to be found on the bourse floor, as most high end or rare type, plus rare varieties are not to be found. The auction conducted by Heritage was a mixed bag...with an incredible result for a repaired T-35 (Indian Princess) of $60,000+. The Montgomery's did well, with better than expected results for a cut cancelled, taped T-1 and a poc  T-2. Other better type held it's own and there were no super rare varieties in the sale save for a scarcer variety of T-26, which was impaired, realizing close to $3,000. Heritage failed to call this one out, however it is obvious that some saw it.

      A few contemporary counterfeits are now listed; with around 150 more to come.

4/18/06 This time next week I will be in Columbus, Ohio for the Central States Numismatic Convention. If Confederate Treasury notes perform at Heritage's auction in the manner I expect; new records will be set for many issues. Results from R.M. Smythe's March auction were nothing short of amazing; and the material offered at Central States is of far better quality than that contained in the Smythe sale. I see a strong upward trend in CSA material; especially in scarce or high grade type and rare varieties. Prices for accurately graded, desirable notes have surpassed the price levels contained in the outstanding new work of Pierre Fricke and are moving upward at incredible rate.

4/10/06 Returned from the Civil War show at Chantilly, Va (just outside of Washington, D.C.) last night. To say that the CSA and Obsolete paper money market is hot would be the understatement of the year. From the time the show opened to the Public at 9:00 AM Saturday, I could NOT leave my table. Sales and interest were incredible.

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4/3/06. All problems with email on the site have now been resolved. Thanks to everyone for their patience.

3/30/06  Returned from R.M. Smythe's most recent auction in NYC featuring another section of the remarkable Herb and Martha Schingoethe collection of obsolete notes along with a fine selection of CSA. All material was very strong at the auction...especially obsoletes and Southern Script notes. In addition, and due to the outstanding new reference by Pierre Fricke, several rare CSA varieties literally "went through the roof". A Cr. 320C PF-24 T-41 with double for Treasurer sold for a whopping $3,105 while an inverted back, T-58 Cr. 421IB PF-121B sold for $$4,370. These are but a few of the rare varieties in this auction which set amazing prices; although understandable....as these are very, very rare. I do have Mr. Fricke's book in Stock (it is now out of print) and it is available at $50.00 plus $7.70 priority mail. The book is over 800 pages long and weighs over 5 pounds. A truly masterful work.

    I did acquire some very high grade CSA and a few superb proof obsoletes. Also managed to acquire some very rare or unique Tennessee and Alabama Script. All will be listed here when time permits. A great sale...as always.