Every Banknote Question We Answer

Last updated: July 2026

Zimbabwe 100 Trillion

Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar Note Price Index (2026)

• What is a Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note worth in 2026? A raw uncirculated Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note (Pick P-91) with AA prefix retails for $198.17 at Planet Banknote as of July 2026. Certified examples range from…
• Has the Zimbabwe 100 trillion note appreciated in value? Yes. When withdrawn in April 2009, these notes had negligible monetary value. By May 2016, The Guardian documented that Zimbabwe 100 trillion notes had become…
• What drives the price of Zimbabwe 100 trillion notes? Three primary factors: grade (certified notes in higher grades command premiums), supply (finite quantity exists since the note was withdrawn after three months), and…
• Where can I safely buy a Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note? Planet Banknote sources notes direct from authorized distributors and inspects each through our Planet Banknote Verified process. Every order includes a free…
• How often is this price index updated? We update this index monthly based on Planet Banknote's current retail listings. The Last updated date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Prices change…

Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar Note Value by Grade (2026)

• How much is a Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note worth in 2026? At Planet Banknote, a raw Uncirculated AA-prefix 100 trillion note retails for $198.17 as of July 2026. Certified examples range from $209 for PMG 65 EPQ to $367 for…
• Can I still exchange a 100 trillion dollar note for money in Zimbabwe? No. The note was withdrawn in April 2009 when Zimbabwe abandoned its dollar for a multi-currency system, and the currency was formally demonetized in 2015 (Reuters,…
• What does the AA serial prefix mean on a 100 trillion note? AA marks the first print run of the 2008 100 trillion dollar note (Pick 91). Collectors treat first-prefix notes as the standard, most desirable form of the issue,…
• Should I get my 100 trillion note graded? Grade it if you believe it is fully Uncirculated and you plan to hold or eventually sell it. In Planet Banknote's July 2026 retail ladder, certified notes carry a…
• How can I tell if a 100 trillion dollar note is real? Genuine notes carry a patterned security stripe and a silhouette of the Zimbabwe Bird printed in optically variable, color-shifting ink, as described in the Wikipedia…

Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Authentication & Counterfeit Reference

• Does the Zimbabwe 100 trillion note have a watermark? No. Wikipedia states the note "lacked modern security features, such as a watermark" due to sanctions. Do not rely on a watermark test to authenticate Pick P-91. Use…
• What is the single most reliable test for a genuine 100 trillion note? The tilt test on the Zimbabwe Bird. Hold the front of the note flat, then tilt it toward and away from a light source. The Zimbabwe Bird in the lower right must shift…
• Can a gold foil 100 trillion note be real? No. Gold, silver, and colored metallic-foil "100 trillion" notes are novelty souvenirs sold on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe never printed foil…
• How can I verify a PMG or PCGS graded note is authentic? Look up the certification number. Enter the number on the holder's label at pmgnotes.com/certlookup (PMG) or pcgs.com/cert (PCGS). Confirm the description and grade…
• What is on the front of a genuine 100 trillion note? The Chiremba Balancing Rocks near Epworth, outside Harare. The front does not depict Robert Mugabe, a rhinoceros, or any other wildlife. Fine line detail should be…

Hyperinflation

Every Hyperinflation in History, Ranked

• What was the worst hyperinflation in history? Hungary in July 1946 is the worst hyperinflation ever documented. At its peak prices roughly doubled about every 15 hours, according to the Hanke-Krus World…
• How does Zimbabwe's hyperinflation compare to Germany's Weimar crisis? Zimbabwe's 2008 hyperinflation was far more severe. Zimbabwe peaked near 79.6 billion percent month-on-month in mid-November 2008 (Steve Hanke, Cato Institute), while…
• Which hyperinflation produced the highest-denomination banknote? Hungary's 1946 pengő series reached the highest face values of any hyperinflation, including a 100 quintillion pengő note. Zimbabwe's 100 trillion dollar note (Pick…
• Can I still buy banknotes from these hyperinflations? Yes. Planet Banknote stocks genuine notes from Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Germany, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Greece. Every note is inspected through our Planet Banknote…
• Where do the hyperinflation figures on this page come from? The rankings and inflation rates come from the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table, compiled by economists Steve Hanke and Nicholas Krus and published by the Cato…

Zimbabwe Hyperinflation: The 100 Trillion Note (2007-2009)

• When was the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note issued and withdrawn? The 100 trillion dollar note (Pick P-91) is dated 2008, was released into circulation in January 2009, and was withdrawn in April 2009 when Zimbabwe abandoned its…
• How bad did Zimbabwe's inflation actually get? At its worst, Zimbabwe's inflation reached approximately 79.6 billion percent month-on-month in mid-November 2008, per economist Steve Hanke of the Cato Institute. At…
• Is the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note the highest denomination ever printed? No. It is the highest-denomination banknote of the modern era, carrying fourteen zeros (100,000,000,000,000 dollars), but higher face values were printed earlier,…
• What is pictured on the front of the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note? The front shows the Chiremba Balancing Rocks, the granite formation near Epworth outside Harare, not a portrait of Robert Mugabe and not a rhinoceros. The Balancing…
• How can I tell if a Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note is real? A genuine note has no watermark. Authenticate it by its embedded security thread and by the Zimbabwe Bird silhouette printed in color-shifting ink that changes hue as…

Venezuela Hyperinflation: Bolivar Collector Guide

• Why did Venezuela change its currency three times? To keep cash usable during hyperinflation. Venezuela introduced the bolivar fuerte in 2008 (removing 3 zeros), the bolivar soberano in 2018 (removing 5 zeros), and…
• What is the Venezuelan one million bolivar note? It is a bolivar soberano (VES) note issued in 2021, with 1,000,000 printed on its face, released months before the bolivar digital redenomination that October. A…
• Are Venezuelan hyperinflation banknotes worth collecting? Yes, for the story and the affordability rather than as an investment. Because redenominations retired each series in sealed bundles, most Venezuela notes reach the…
• How bad was Venezuela's hyperinflation? Economist Steve Hanke of the Cato Institute recorded Venezuela entering hyperinflation in November 2016, the 57th entry in the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table,…
• Are Venezuela's old bolivar notes still legal tender? No. Each redenomination retired the prior series, so bolivar fuerte and older bolivar soberano notes are no longer spendable currency. Their value today comes…

Weimar Germany Hyperinflation: The 1923 Papiermark Collapse

• What caused the Weimar hyperinflation? It grew out of the costs of the First World War and the reparations that followed. Germany financed the war and its aftermath largely by printing money rather than…
• How bad did German inflation get in 1923? At its peak in October 1923, monthly inflation reached roughly 29,500 percent, according to the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table published by the Cato Institute.…
• What was the highest-denomination Weimar banknote? German denominations climbed into the trillions of marks during 1923, and the Reichsbank issued a 100 trillion mark note, written 100,000,000,000,000. That is the…
• What is Notgeld? Notgeld, German for emergency money, was currency issued by towns, states, banks, and companies when official banknotes ran short during and around the…
• How did the Weimar hyperinflation end? It ended late in 1923 with a new currency, the Rentenmark, introduced in November 1923 to replace the collapsed Papiermark. Backed by a mortgage on German land and…

Hungary 1946: The Worst Hyperinflation in History

• What was the worst hyperinflation in history? Hungary in July 1946 is the worst hyperinflation ever documented. At its peak, prices roughly doubled about every 15 hours, according to the Hanke-Krus World…
• What was the highest-denomination pengő note? The highest-denomination note Hungary actually issued equalled 100 quintillion pengő, a one followed by twenty zeros, generally documented as the largest face value…
• What were the milpengő and adópengő? They were units Hungary layered onto the pengő to cope with hyperinflation. The milpengő equalled one million pengő and let a single note stand for a million without…
• What replaced the Hungarian pengő? The forint, introduced on August 1, 1946, replaced the pengő and ended the hyperinflation. The conversion was so extreme that the entire outstanding stock of pengő…
• Are Hungarian pengő notes worth collecting? Yes, for the history rather than as spendable money. The forint retired the pengő completely, so these notes have no monetary value, and what you own is a physical…

Yugoslavia 1994 Hyperinflation: The 500 Billion Dinar Note

• How bad was Yugoslavia's 1994 hyperinflation? At its peak in January 1994, Yugoslavia's monthly inflation ran on the order of hundreds of millions of percent, according to the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation…
• What is the 500 billion dinara note? It is the highest-denomination banknote of the Yugoslav hyperinflation, with 500,000,000,000 dinara printed on its face. Issued by the National Bank of Yugoslavia…
• Why was the Yugoslav dinar redenominated so many times? To keep cash usable. As the former Yugoslavia broke apart in the early 1990s, war and international sanctions drove the dinar into collapse, so the central bank…
• Are Yugoslav hyperinflation banknotes worth collecting? Yes, for the history and the affordability rather than as an investment. A 500 billion dinara note is a legible, dramatic artifact of a European hyperinflation within…
• Are old Yugoslav dinar notes still legal tender? No. The dinar reforms of the 1990s retired the old notes, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia itself has since dissolved, so these banknotes are no longer…

Greece 1944 Hyperinflation: The Occupation Drachma

• How bad was Greece's 1944 hyperinflation? At its peak in October 1944, monthly inflation in Greece reached approximately 13,800 percent, according to the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table published by the…
• What was the highest-denomination Greek banknote? The highest Greek notes of the 1944 hyperinflation reached 100 billion drachmai. The drachma was reissued in ever-larger denominations through the occupation, and the…
• What caused Greece's hyperinflation in 1944? The hyperinflation was driven by the Axis occupation of Greece during the Second World War. A wartime blockade, the costs the occupation imposed, collapsing…
• What replaced the old Greek drachma? In November 1944 the old drachma was replaced by a new drachma at a documented rate of 50 billion old drachmai to one new drachma (Bank of Greece). The reform retired…
• Can I still collect Greek occupation drachma notes? Yes. Planet Banknote stocks genuine Greek notes from this era and pairs them with other crises in curated hyperinflation sets. Every note is inspected through our…

Famous Notes

Operation Bernhard: The Nazi Counterfeit Pound Notes

• Are Operation Bernhard notes legal to own? In most collecting markets, yes. The notes copy Bank of England white notes that were withdrawn decades ago, so they cannot pass as current money, and major grading…
• How can you tell a Bernhard forgery from a genuine white note? Specialists have documented 28 differences between genuine white notes and Bernhard forgeries, according to Paper Money Guaranty. One well-known marker sits in the…
• How many counterfeit notes did Operation Bernhard produce? Postwar figures compiled by Chief Inspector William Rudkin of the Metropolitan Police, cited by the Bank of England Museum, put output at about 8.9 million notes with…
• What happened to the prisoners who did the forging? As the war ended, the SS moved the unit from Sachsenhausen to Mauthausen and then to the Redl-Zipf tunnels in Austria in early 1945. The prisoners ended up at Ebensee…
• Is the film The Counterfeiters historically accurate? It is grounded in fact but dramatized. The 2007 Austrian-German film is based on Adolf Burger's memoir, and Burger advised the production, but the lead character…

The Grand Watermelon: America's Most Valuable Banknote

• How many Grand Watermelon notes exist? Seven examples are believed to survive, per the census cited by PCGS and Stack's Bowers. Four are in government collections and three are private: two Fr. 379a notes…
• Why did the Grand Watermelon sell for $3.29 million? The note Heritage Auctions sold on January 10, 2014 is the only Fr. 379b small red seal example in private hands, so bidders were competing for a note that might not…
• Is the Grand Watermelon still the most expensive banknote ever sold? Yes. Guinness World Records lists the $3.29 million Heritage Auctions sale from January 2014 as the most expensive banknote sold at auction, and no reported sale had…
• What is the difference between Fr. 379a and Fr. 379b? Both share the watermelon back. Fr. 379a carries a large brown Treasury seal with Rosecrans and Huston signatures, while Fr. 379b carries a small red seal. The finest…
• Can I buy a Grand Watermelon note? Practically speaking, no. Only three are privately owned, and they trade rarely, at seven figures, through major auction houses. Most collectors instead pursue…

The 100 Trillion Mark Note of Weimar Germany (1924)

• Is the German note 100 billion or 100 trillion marks? It is 100 trillion marks in English. The note reads 100 Billionen Mark, and German counts large numbers on the long scale, where a Billion equals a million million,…
• What was the 100 trillion mark note worth when it was issued? Roughly 24 US dollars. By its 15 February 1924 date, Germany had stabilized the currency, with 1 Rentenmark exchanging for 1 trillion paper marks and the US dollar at…
• Why is the 100 trillion mark note scarcer than other Weimar notes? The common 1923 notes were printed in astronomical quantities, with the Reichsdruckerei processing about 5.5 million kilograms of banknote paper in late 1923 and some…
• How does it compare to Zimbabwe's 100 trillion dollar note? Both carry the same written face value, 100,000,000,000,000, a one followed by fourteen zeros. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced its version on 16 January 2009,…
• Was it the highest denomination banknote ever issued? It was the highest Germany ever issued (Bundesdruckerei). A 1,000 trillion mark note was produced in February 1924 but never circulated. Globally, Hungary's 1946…

The 100 Quintillion Pengo: The Highest-Denomination Note Ever Issued

• What is the highest-denomination banknote ever issued? The Hungarian 100 million b.-pengő note of 1946, equal to 100 quintillion pengő, a one followed by twenty zeros. Guinness World Records lists it as the highest…
• How many zeros does the 100 quintillion pengő note have? Twenty, though none are printed on the note. The face reads SZÁZMILLIÓ B.-PENGŐ, one hundred million b.-pengő, and since one b.-pengő equals one trillion pengő, the…
• What does b.-pengő mean? The "b." stands for billió, the Hungarian long-scale billion, equal to a million million, an American trillion. One b.-pengő is one trillion pengő, so 100 million…
• Why was the one sextillion pengő note never issued? The currency reform overtook it. Hungary introduced the forint on August 1, 1946 and abolished the pengő before the one milliard b.-pengő note, worth one sextillion…
• Is the 100 quintillion pengő note valuable today? It has no monetary value, since the forint reform retired the pengő, but it is a popular and generally affordable collectible. Prices depend on condition and…

Confederate Currency: The Money of a Nation That Vanished

• Is Confederate money worth anything today? Confederate notes have no monetary value as currency, but they are widely collected as historical artifacts. Common notes from the large 1864 issue can be acquired…
• Is it legal to own Confederate currency? Yes. Genuine Confederate currency is a historical collectible, and owning, buying, and selling it is legal in the United States. The notes are not legal tender and…
• What are the Montgomery notes? The Montgomery notes are the Confederacy's first paper money, issued at Montgomery, Alabama in 1861 in four denominations: $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. They were…
• How can I tell if a Confederate note is genuine? Start with the catalog. Every genuine design matches a Criswell type, T-1 through T-72, with documented paper, printer, and signature characteristics. Be wary of…
• Why did Confederate money become worthless? Confederate notes were never backed by gold or silver. Each was a promise to pay the bearer after a future treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the…

Japanese Invasion Money: WWII's Occupation Banknotes

• What is Japanese invasion money? Japanese invasion money, or JIM, is the unbacked occupation currency Imperial Japan issued for territories it conquered in World War II, circulating from 1942 to…
• Why was Japanese invasion money called Mickey Mouse money? Filipinos coined the nickname because the occupation notes had no backing reserves behind them, a fact recorded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The name mocked…
• Is Japanese invasion money worth anything today? It has no monetary value, since no government ever redeemed it, but it does have collector value. Common notes were printed and saved in such quantities that they…
• Can Japanese invasion money still be exchanged or redeemed? No. The notes became worthless at liberation, no successor government honored them, and Japan has refused to exchange them ever since. Their only value today is…
• Why do so many Japanese invasion notes survive in uncirculated condition? Japan printed the notes in enormous quantities, and at the end of the war vast stocks were captured or abandoned before they ever circulated. Allied servicemen…

Hawaii Overprint Notes: America's Invasion-Proof Money

• What are Hawaii overprint notes? Hawaii overprint notes are emergency United States banknotes issued in wartime Hawaii starting June 25, 1942. Each carries a brown Treasury seal, brown serial…
• Why did the United States overprint its currency in Hawaii? Planners feared Japan might invade Hawaii after Pearl Harbor and seize the cash on the islands, handing the enemy usable American dollars. If Hawaii fell, the…
• Are Hawaii overprint notes still legal tender? Yes. The overprints were never formally demonetized, so a genuine Hawaii note is still worth its face value as United States currency. Spending one would be a…
• How can you tell a genuine Hawaii overprint note? Check that the seal and serial numbers are brown, not blue or green, and that HAWAII appears twice on the face and in large outlined letters across the back. The most…

French Assignats: The Revolution's Paper Money Disaster

• How much does a genuine assignat cost today? Assignats are among the most affordable pieces of 18th century paper money because they were printed in the billions. Common republican issues in average condition…
• How can I tell if an assignat is genuine? Hold the note to the light and look for the watermark, which usually spells out the denomination in the paper. Genuine assignats are printed on sturdy laid rag paper,…
• What does the death warning printed on assignats mean? Many assignats carry the inscription "La loi punit de mort le contrefacteur," which means the law punishes the counterfeiter with death. Some issues add that the…
• Was the assignat collapse a true hyperinflation? Yes. The Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table published by the Cato Institute lists France from May 1795 to November 1796 as the earliest documented hyperinflation,…
• Why did land backing fail to save the assignat? Land cannot circulate, so the backing only worked if the state kept issuance below the value of the confiscated property and honored redemption. Revolutionary…

Grading & Comparison

Banknote Grading Guide: PMG & PCGS 1-70 Scale Explained

• What is the banknote grading scale? Banknotes are graded on a 1 to 70 numerical scale used by PMG and PCGS Banknote, adapted from the Sheldon scale used for coins. Grade 70 is flawless and grade 1 is…
• What does UNC mean on a banknote? UNC means Uncirculated: a note that never entered circulation and shows no folds, creases, or handling wear. On the 70-point numeric scale, Uncirculated covers grades…
• What is the difference between EPQ and PPQ? Both certify original, unaltered paper. EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) is PMG's designation and PPQ (Premium Paper Quality) is PCGS Banknote's designation for the…
• Is PMG or PCGS better for banknotes? Both are widely accepted and both use the 1 to 70 scale. PMG has the longer track record specifically in paper money and grades the largest share of world banknotes,…
• Should I buy raw or graded banknotes? Buy raw for enjoyment, type sets, and lower-value notes, ideally from a source-first dealer that includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Buy certified for high-value…
• Is it worth getting a banknote graded? It is worth grading a note when you believe it is high grade and its value justifies the grading fee plus round-trip shipping and insurance. Grading pays off on…

PMG vs PCGS for Banknotes: Which Grading Service?

• Do PMG and PCGS use the same grading scale for banknotes? Yes. Both PMG and PCGS Banknote grade paper money on the same 1 to 70 numerical scale, adapted from the Sheldon scale used for coins, where 70 is flawless and 1 is…
• What is the difference between EPQ and PPQ? Both certify original, unaltered paper. EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) is PMG's designation and PPQ (Premium Paper Quality) is PCGS Banknote's designation for the…
• Is PMG or PCGS better for banknotes? Neither is universally better. Both are widely accepted, both use the 1 to 70 scale, and both certify authenticity and paper quality. PMG has the longer track record…
• Does Planet Banknote sell both PMG and PCGS graded notes? Yes. Planet Banknote stocks notes certified by both PMG and PCGS Banknote, so you can compare the two holders side by side and choose the grade and service you…
• Should I choose a banknote by its grade number or by the grading service? Start with the grade and the note, then treat the service as a secondary preference. Price and quality track the numeric grade far more than the brand on the holder,…

Collecting Guides

How to Start Collecting World Banknotes (2026 Guide)

• Is collecting world banknotes a good hobby for beginners? Yes. World banknote collecting is one of the most accessible history hobbies, because genuine notes can cost only a few dollars and there is no minimum to start. Each…
• How do I choose what banknotes to collect? Pick one focus so your collection has a shape. The four most common are a country, meaning notes from one nation; a theme, such as animals or ships that appear across…
• Should a beginner buy raw or graded banknotes? For most beginners, raw uncirculated notes bought from a source-first dealer with a Certificate of Authenticity are the right start. Save certified notes, graded and…
• How much money do I need to start collecting banknotes? You can start for the cost of a single note. Many genuine world banknotes cost only a few dollars, and an accessible showpiece like a raw uncirculated Zimbabwe 100…
• What is a good first banknote to buy? For most new collectors the best first purchase is the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note (Pick P-91). It is the highest-denomination banknote of the modern era, with…

How to Store and Protect Banknotes

• What is the best way to store banknotes? Store banknotes flat in an inert archival holder made of polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene, and keep the holder somewhere cool, dry, dark, and stable. Handle…
• Are PVC holders safe for banknotes? No. Soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is not safe for long-term banknote storage. Over time it can release plasticizers that leave a sticky or oily film on the note and…
• Do I need to wear gloves to handle banknotes? Gloves are optional. Clean, thoroughly dry hands are fine for most notes, as long as you hold the note by its edges and avoid lotions or oils. Many collectors do use…
• Do graded (slabbed) banknotes need special storage? No. A banknote graded by PMG or PCGS is already sealed inside a rigid, tamper-evident, archival holder, so it does not need an extra sleeve. Keep the slab cool, dry,…
• What temperature and humidity are best for storing paper money? Aim for cool, stable, and moderately dry conditions rather than an exact figure, since stability matters more than any single number. Standard paper conservation…

How to Spot a Counterfeit Banknote

• Do all real banknotes have a watermark? No. A watermark is formed in the paper during manufacture, and not every note has one. The Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note was printed under sanctions with no…
• What is the single most reliable way to authenticate a banknote? Buy one already certified by PMG or PCGS. Both services authenticate every note before grading it on the 1 to 70 scale and seal it in a tamper-evident holder with a…
• What is color-shifting ink on a banknote? It is optically variable ink that changes color when you tilt the note, for example from green to gold. It is expensive to reproduce, so most counterfeits print a…
• How can you tell real banknote paper from a printed copy? Genuine notes are usually printed on cotton or cotton-linen paper that feels crisp and firm, and key elements are printed with raised intaglio ink you can feel with a…
• Can PMG or PCGS detect a counterfeit banknote? Yes. Both services authenticate every note before assigning a grade and will not encapsulate a counterfeit or novelty replica. That is why a sealed PMG or PCGS holder…

Is It Legal to Own Foreign & Demonetized Banknotes?

• Is it legal to own foreign banknotes? In most countries, yes. A genuine banknote is personal property, and collecting notes from other countries is a lawful, long-established hobby. The limited caveats…
• Is it legal to own demonetized banknotes like the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note? Yes, in most countries. Once a note is demonetized it is no longer legal tender and cannot be spent, which is exactly what makes it a collectible rather than money.…
• What is the difference between owning a banknote and using it as currency? Owning a note and spending it are separate. You can lawfully own a demonetized or foreign note as a collectible, but you cannot spend a demonetized note, because…
• Can US sanctions affect which banknotes I can buy? They can. The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers sanctions programs that, for comprehensively embargoed countries, can restrict…
• Is this legal advice? No. This page is general information about the principles that apply to collecting paper money, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and change over time, and…

Where to Buy World Banknotes & How to Vet a Dealer

• How do I know if a banknote dealer is trustworthy? Check six signals before you buy: third-party grading through PMG or PCGS, a Certificate of Authenticity with every order, transparent sourcing, a written and…
• Should I only buy graded banknotes? Not necessarily, but grading removes the most guesswork. A note certified by PMG or PCGS arrives sealed with a certification number you can verify online, so its…
• Are ungraded banknotes on marketplaces safe to buy? They can be, but the risk is higher because the platform rarely authenticates the item itself. An ungraded note has not passed a neutral grader, so its authenticity…
• What should a Certificate of Authenticity include? A useful COA names the specific note, its catalog (Pick) number, and its grade or condition, and ties that description to the item you received rather than reading as…
• Does Planet Banknote accept returns? Yes. Planet Banknote accepts returns within 7 days in original condition with a return merchandise authorization (RMA). A restocking fee applies: 15% on orders under…

By Country

United States Banknotes: History, Notable Notes & Collecting Guide

• Are old United States banknotes still legal tender? Yes. All US currency issued since 1861 remains valid and redeemable at full face value, according to the US Currency Education Program. That includes discontinued…
• Can you legally own a $100,000 bill? No. The Series 1934 $100,000 Gold Certificate was issued only for transfers between Federal Reserve Banks and never circulated publicly. Issued examples remain United…
• What does "not worth a Continental" mean? It refers to Continental currency, the paper money the Continental Congress issued from 1775 to finance the Revolution. The notes depreciated to pennies on the dollar…
• What are National Bank Notes? Currency issued between 1863 and 1935 by federally chartered national banks and backed by US government bonds. Each note names its issuing bank, town, and charter…
• What is the most valuable United States banknote? The 1890 $1,000 Treasury Note known as the Grand Watermelon, nicknamed for the bulging green zeros on its back. One example sold for $3,290,000 at Heritage Auctions…

Iraq Banknotes: History, Notable Notes & Collecting Guide

• What is the Iraqi dinar? The Iraqi dinar is the national currency of Iraq, issued by the Central Bank of Iraq and divided into 1,000 fils. It was introduced in 1932, replacing the Indian…
• What is the difference between the Swiss dinar and the Saddam dinar? The Swiss dinar is the collector's name for Iraq's pre-1991 notes, so called because they were produced abroad to a high standard using engraving plates reportedly…
• Why is the 25,000 dinar note so well known? The 25,000 dinar note was the largest denomination issued in the currency exchange Iraq carried out after 2003, when the Coalition Provisional Authority and the…
• Are old Iraqi dinar notes with Saddam Hussein legal to own? Yes. In the United States, demonetized foreign banknotes such as Saddam-era Iraqi dinars are legal to own and collect. They are no longer legal tender and cannot be…
• Are Iraqi banknotes a good investment? Collectors buy Iraqi banknotes for their history, not as an investment. The Iraqi dinar has been promoted by currency-speculation schemes that promise a sudden…

Vietnam Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the Vietnamese dong? The dong is the official currency of Vietnam, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam and abbreviated VND. Its modern banknotes all carry a portrait of Ho Chi Minh on the…
• What is the highest-denomination Vietnamese banknote? The 500,000 dong note is Vietnam's highest-denomination circulating banknote. It was introduced in 2003 on a polymer substrate, with Ho Chi Minh on the front and his…
• Are Vietnamese polymer banknotes worth collecting? Yes, especially as an affordable and colorful modern set. The six polymer denominations from 10,000 up to 500,000 dong each pair Ho Chi Minh's portrait with a…
• Is the Vietnamese dong a hyperinflation currency? No. Vietnam is not a hyperinflation currency in the way Zimbabwe or Venezuela were. The dong's large denominations are the result of long-run devaluation and a period…
• Are old Vietnamese dong notes still legal tender? The current dong notes, including the polymer series, are legal tender issued by the State Bank of Vietnam. Older pre-reform paper dong notes are no longer spendable…

China Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does China use? China's official currency is the renminbi, which means people's currency. Its main unit is the yuan, with the ISO code CNY and the symbol ¥. One yuan divides into 10…
• Why are first series renminbi notes so collectible? The first series renminbi, issued from 1948, was the founding currency of the People's Republic. Many of its notes circulated only briefly before they were withdrawn,…
• Are hell bank notes real Chinese money? No. Hell bank notes, a form of joss paper, are ceremonial offerings burned for ancestors in Chinese tradition. They are not legal tender, are not issued by any bank…
• Did China ever experience hyperinflation? Yes. During the Chinese Civil War, the Republican government's money collapsed, and the gold yuan introduced in 1948 lost value catastrophically through 1949. This…
• How do I start collecting Chinese banknotes? Pick one focus, such as the current fifth series, the historic first through fourth series, or Republic-era notes, then buy from a source-first dealer that…

Argentina Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Argentina use? Argentina's official currency is the peso, first issued as the convertible peso on January 1, 1992. It replaced the austral at 10,000 to 1 and remains the country's…
• What was the Argentine austral? The austral, symbol ₳, was Argentina's currency from 1985 to 1991. It was introduced in June 1985 under President Raul Alfonsin's Plan Austral, replacing the peso…
• Why has Argentina changed its currency so many times? Repeated bouts of high inflation. Each time inflation added zeros faster than the mint could keep up, Argentina redenominated by lopping zeros off and renaming the…
• Are old Argentine peso and austral notes worth collecting? Yes, for their history and affordability. Because redenominations retired each currency, many older notes reached the market in crisp Uncirculated condition rather…
• How bad was Argentina's hyperinflation? Argentina's 1989 to 1990 hyperinflation is one of the episodes recorded in the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute), with monthly inflation running…

Brazil Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• How many different currencies has Brazil had? Brazil has issued paper money under several currencies, including the real of the colonial and early republican era, the cruzeiro, the cruzado, the cruzeiro real, and…
• What is the difference between the cruzeiro, the cruzado, and the real? They are successive Brazilian currencies. The cruzeiro was used, in several versions, from 1942 into the 1980s and again in the early 1990s. The cruzado replaced it…
• How bad was Brazil's inflation? Severe enough that Brazil replaced its currency repeatedly to keep cash usable. Per the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute), Brazil experienced an…
• Are old Brazilian banknotes still worth anything? Yes, but as collector items rather than as spendable money. Each redenomination retired the previous currency, so cruzeiro, cruzado, and cruzeiro real notes can no…
• What animals are on modern Brazilian real banknotes? The modern real series shows the sculpted Effigy of the Republic on the front and native Brazilian wildlife on the back. The animals include the hummingbird, sea…

Mexico Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Mexico use? Mexico uses the Mexican peso, ISO code MXN, issued by the country's central bank, Banco de México, since 1925. The peso descends from the Spanish colonial silver…
• What was the 1993 nuevo peso redenomination? On January 1, 1993, Mexico introduced the nuevo peso, or new peso, which replaced 1,000 old pesos with one new peso and carried an N$ prefix on the notes. The reform…
• What are Mexican revolutionary banknotes? During the Mexican Revolution, roughly 1910 to 1920, states, banks, and military factions issued their own paper money. Collectors prize types such as the dos…
• Are old Mexican peso notes still worth anything? Pre-1993 peso notes are no longer legal tender for spending, but many carry collector value based on their series, condition, and rarity. Value comes from collector…
• Which modern Mexican banknote is most celebrated? The Banco de México 50-peso note featuring an axolotl and the chinampas of Xochimilco was named the International Bank Note Society's Bank Note of the Year for 2021.…

Russia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Russia use? Russia uses the Russian ruble, one of the world's oldest monetary units still in use, having served as Russia's money for centuries. Its paper history divides into…
• What makes Russian banknotes collectible? Russian banknotes are collectible because they span three dramatic eras of one country. You can hold the ornate, beautifully engraved credit notes of the Tsarist…
• What is the most famous Imperial Russian banknote? Among the most famous are the large, ornate late-Imperial State Credit Notes, especially the 500-ruble note featuring Peter the Great and the 100-ruble note featuring…
• Why did Russia redenominate the ruble in 1998? The early and mid 1990s brought severe inflation to Russia as prices were liberalized after the Soviet collapse, pushing denominations into the hundreds of thousands…
• How do I start collecting Russian banknotes? Pick one era to anchor your collection, decide whether you want raw or certified notes, and buy from a source-first dealer that authenticates every note. Imperial…

Indonesia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the highest denomination Indonesian banknote? The 100,000 rupiah note is the highest denomination in current circulation. In the "emisi 2016" series it features the founding proclaimers of Indonesian…
• Why are Indonesian banknotes so colorful? Indonesia designs its currency as a showcase of national identity. The modern series pairs a different national hero on each denomination with a traditional dance and…
• Are old Indonesian rupiah notes still worth anything? As collectibles, yes. The 1946 Oeang Republik Indonesia notes and the engraved wildlife and cultural series of the 1950s and 1960s are the most sought after, valued…
• Did Indonesia have hyperinflation? Indonesia experienced severe inflation in the mid-1960s, which led Bank Indonesia to redenominate the rupiah in December 1965 by removing three zeros. That episode…
• How much does it cost to start collecting Indonesian banknotes? Very little. Modern rupiah notes are among the most affordable in world collecting, and a complete Uncirculated set of the current series is an inexpensive way to own…

Iran Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Iran use? Iran's official currency is the Iranian rial (ISO code IRR), issued by Bank Markazi Iran, the central bank. In everyday speech, however, Iranians almost always quote…
• What is the difference between pre- and post-1979 Iranian banknotes? Pre-1979 notes were issued under the Pahlavi monarchy and carry the portrait of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi along with the Lion and Sun emblem. After the 1979 Islamic…
• Is it legal to own Iranian banknotes in the United States? Owning Iranian banknotes as collectibles is generally treated as legal in the United States, since a note held for its history rather than spent sits in the…
• Why does Iran have such high-denomination banknotes? Decades of inflation and a steadily depreciating rial pushed Iran to issue ever-larger denominations, and eventually to introduce bearer instruments called Iran…
• Are Iranian banknotes a good place to start collecting? Yes. Iranian notes pack an unusual amount of history into an affordable, widely available series, and many survive in crisp Uncirculated condition. A single…

Cuba Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Cuba use? Cuba uses the Cuban peso, abbreviated CUP and known locally as moneda nacional. It is issued by the Central Bank of Cuba (Banco Central de Cuba), which took over the…
• Did Che Guevara really sign Cuban banknotes? Yes. Ernesto "Che" Guevara served as president of the National Bank of Cuba from 1959 to 1961, and banknotes printed during his tenure carry his signature. On those…
• What was the difference between the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC)? The Cuban peso (CUP) is the national currency used by residents for everyday wages and prices. The convertible peso (CUC), introduced in 1994 and pegged one-to-one to…
• Which Cuban banknote features Che Guevara? The Cuban 3 peso note carries Che Guevara's portrait on the front, showing him in his familiar beret, with a reverse that depicts him cutting sugar cane as a…
• Are Cuban banknotes worth collecting? Cuban banknotes are collected for their history rather than as an investment. The revolutionary story, the Che Guevara connection, and the closed chapter of the…

Japan Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• When was the Japanese yen created? The yen was established by Japan's New Currency Act of 1871, during the Meiji period, replacing the older system of mon, ryo, and other units. The reform made the…
• Who issues Japanese banknotes? Japan's banknotes are issued by the Bank of Japan, the country's central bank, which was founded in 1882 and put its first notes into circulation in 1885. Earlier…
• What is Japanese invasion money? Japanese invasion money is the currency Japan issued for use in the territories it occupied during the Second World War, including the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, and…
• Are Japanese banknotes valuable to collectors? It depends entirely on the note, its age, and its condition. Common WWII invasion notes and modern circulated yen are inexpensive, while early Meiji large-size notes…
• What is special about Japan's 2024 banknote series? The series the Bank of Japan introduced in July 2024 features Shibusawa Eiichi on the 10,000 yen, Tsuda Umeko on the 5,000 yen, and Kitasato Shibasaburo on the 1,000…

Great Britain Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Great Britain use? Great Britain uses the pound sterling, symbol £, which is the official currency of the United Kingdom. One pound is divided into 100 pence. Sterling traces back more…
• Who issues Great Britain's banknotes? The Bank of England, founded in 1694, is the central issuing authority for banknotes in England and Wales. In Scotland and Northern Ireland several commercial banks…
• What is a white note? A white note is an early style of Bank of England note printed in black ink on one side of plain white paper, with no picture on the reverse. The Bank issued these…
• When did the Bank of England switch to polymer notes? The Bank of England began issuing polymer banknotes with the £5 note featuring Winston Churchill in September 2016. The £10 note with Jane Austen followed in 2017,…
• Are older British banknotes still worth collecting? Yes. Older British notes are among the most collectible in the hobby because of their history and craftsmanship, from Bradbury Treasury notes of the First World War…

Egypt Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Egypt use? Egypt uses the Egyptian pound, ISO code EGP, known locally as the gineih and divided into 100 piastres. The pound was established by a monetary decree in 1834, and…
• When did Egypt first issue banknotes? The National Bank of Egypt, founded in 1898, issued the country's first banknotes in 1899. It held the sole right to issue currency and printed bilingual notes in…
• Why do Egyptian banknotes show a mosque on one side and a temple on the other? Modern Egyptian notes use a deliberate split design that celebrates both halves of the country's heritage. One face shows an Islamic monument such as a mosque, with…
• Are Egyptian banknotes expensive to collect? Most Egyptian banknotes are very affordable, which is a large part of their appeal for new collectors. Because Egypt never experienced a hyperinflation, the interest…
• What is the difference between the National Bank of Egypt and the Central Bank of Egypt? The National Bank of Egypt, founded in 1898, was the original note-issuing bank and issued Egypt's currency until 1960. In 1961 the Central Bank of Egypt was founded…

Syria Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the Syrian pound? The Syrian pound, also called the lira, is the national currency of Syria, issued by the Central Bank of Syria and divided into 100 piastres. Its history began under…
• What are French Mandate-era Syrian banknotes? French Mandate-era Syrian banknotes are the notes issued between roughly 1920 and 1946 by the Banque de Syrie et du Liban, a French-affiliated bank that served as the…
• Why did the Syrian pound lose so much value? The Syrian pound collapsed during the civil war that began in 2011. Sanctions, lost oil revenue, and widespread economic destruction drove the currency down from a…
• Are Syrian banknotes legal to own and collect? Yes. In the United States, foreign banknotes such as Syrian pound notes are legal to own and collect. Older and demonetized notes are no longer legal tender and…
• Are Syrian banknotes a good investment? Collectors buy Syrian banknotes for their history, not as an investment. The notes carry a remarkable story, from the French Mandate through independence to a long…

Lebanon Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Lebanon use? Lebanon's official currency is the Lebanese pound, also written as the lira. It is issued by the Banque du Liban, the country's central bank, which has held the sole…
• What happened to the Lebanese pound in the 2019 crisis? The Lebanese pound had been pegged at roughly 1,507.5 to the US dollar since December 1997, but that peg broke apart in the financial crisis that began in late 2019,…
• What do Lebanese banknotes depict? Lebanese banknotes are built around the country's national symbols and heritage. The Lebanon cedar, the emblem at the center of the national flag, recurs across the…
• Are Lebanese banknotes worth collecting? Yes, for both their designs and their history. Lebanese notes are affordable and widely available in crisp Uncirculated condition, because the recent crisis and…
• Where can you buy Lebanon banknotes? Buy from a source-first dealer that inspects every note and documents where it came from. Planet Banknote stocks Lebanon notes rather than fixing a single market…

Afghanistan Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the afghani? The afghani is the national currency of Afghanistan, issued by Da Afghanistan Bank and divided into 100 pul. It was introduced in 1925 under King Amanullah Khan,…
• Why did Afghanistan have more than one kind of afghani note in the 1990s? During the 1990s civil war, no single authority controlled the currency. The internationally recognized government in Kabul kept ordering afghani notes, while the…
• What happened in the 2002 currency reform? After the fall of the Taliban, Da Afghanistan Bank issued a new afghani in 2002 to replace the fractured old currency. Government notes were exchanged at 1,000 old…
• Are old Afghan banknotes legal to own? Yes. In the United States, demonetized foreign banknotes such as older Afghan afghani notes are legal to own and collect. They are no longer legal tender and cannot…
• Are Afghan banknotes a good investment? Collectors buy Afghan banknotes for their history, not as an investment. This guide makes no prediction about future exchange rates or values, and many Afghan notes…

Myanmar (Burma) Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Myanmar (Burma) use? Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, uses the kyat, pronounced roughly "chat." It was introduced in 1952 to replace the Burmese rupee at par and is divided into 100…
• Why are there 45 and 90 kyat banknotes? In September 1987 Myanmar's ruler, General Ne Win, canceled the notes then in circulation and replaced them with new 45 and 90 kyat denominations. Both numbers are…
• What was Myanmar's 1987 demonetization? On September 5, 1987, the government voided several banknote denominations without warning and without compensation, erasing much of the cash savings held by ordinary…
• Are old Burmese kyat banknotes worth collecting? Yes, mainly for their history and affordability. Because repeated demonetizations pulled notes out of circulation, many survive in crisp Uncirculated condition, and…
• Why is the country called both Burma and Myanmar? The ruling military government renamed the country from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, and the central bank became the Central Bank of Myanmar. Both names refer to the…

Cambodia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the Cambodian riel? The riel is the official currency of Cambodia, issued by the National Bank of Cambodia and abbreviated KHR. It was introduced in the mid-1950s after independence from…
• Did the Khmer Rouge really abolish money in Cambodia? Yes. After the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh in April 1975, the regime abolished money entirely as part of its plan to remake the country as an agrarian society.…
• Why are there 1975 Cambodian banknotes that were never issued? The Khmer Rouge government printed a series of riel notes in 1975, designed with revolutionary scenes, but abolished money before the notes were ever released into…
• What makes Cambodian banknotes collectible? History and imagery. The 1975 Democratic Kampuchea series is prized as money that was designed but never spent, while earlier Kingdom of Cambodia notes and the modern…
• Is the riel still used in Cambodia today? Yes. The riel is Cambodia's official currency, issued by the National Bank of Cambodia, and modern notes are current, colorful, and inexpensive. In everyday life the…

Hong Kong Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Hong Kong use? Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar, with the ISO code HKD and the symbol HK$. One dollar divides into 100 cents. Its most unusual feature is that most banknotes are…
• Why do three different banks issue Hong Kong banknotes? The arrangement dates to the colonial era, when private banks such as HSBC and the Chartered Bank began issuing notes in the 1860s. Today the government, through the…
• Is the Hong Kong dollar pegged to the US dollar? Yes. Under the Linked Exchange Rate System, the Hong Kong dollar is tied to the US dollar, and note-issuing banks put notes into circulation against US dollars at a…
• Which Hong Kong banknote is issued by the government? The HK$10 note is issued by the government through the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and it is currently the only denomination the authority issues directly. Every…
• How do I start collecting Hong Kong banknotes? Pick one focus, such as a matched set of a single denomination from all three issuing banks, the historic issues of HSBC and the Chartered Bank, or the 1994 first…

Singapore Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• When was the Singapore dollar introduced? The Singapore dollar was introduced in 1967, two years after Singapore became fully independent. From 1967 the notes were issued by the Board of Commissioners of…
• What are the four themed series of Singapore banknotes? Singapore has issued four series of banknotes, each with its own theme. The Orchid Series began in 1967, the Bird Series in 1976, and the Ship Series in 1984, and the…
• Who is on Singapore's Portrait Series banknotes? The front of every Portrait Series note carries Yusof bin Ishak, Singapore's first President. The series was introduced in 1999 and remains current. Each reverse…
• Can Singapore and Brunei dollars be used interchangeably? Yes. Under a Currency Interchangeability Agreement dating to 1967, the Singapore dollar and the Brunei dollar trade at par and are accepted as customary tender in…
• Are Singapore banknotes valuable to collectors? It depends on the note, its series, and its condition. Common modern Portrait Series notes are inexpensive, while early Orchid and Bird issues, the unusual 25-dollar…

Saudi Arabia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Saudi Arabia use? Saudi Arabia's official currency is the Saudi riyal (ISO code SAR), divided into 100 halalas and issued by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), which was…
• What are Hajj pilgrim receipts? Hajj pilgrim receipts were Saudi Arabia's first paper money, first issued by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority in 1953. They were technically receipts exchangeable…
• What is the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority? The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) is Saudi Arabia's central bank, established in 1952 and one of the oldest central banks in the Arab world. It issued the…
• What images appear on Saudi riyal banknotes? Modern Saudi riyal notes feature portraits of Saudi kings alongside the Kingdom's most important religious and national landmarks, including the Kaaba and the Grand…
• Are Saudi Arabian banknotes a good place to start collecting? Yes. Saudi notes combine an unusual origin story, the Hajj pilgrim receipts, with striking designs built around Islam's holiest sites, and many modern issues are…

Australia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Australia use? Australia uses the Australian dollar, ISO code AUD and symbol $, issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The dollar was introduced on 14 February 1966, when it…
• What was the world's first polymer banknote? The world's first polymer banknote was Australia's ten dollar note, issued in 1988 to mark the bicentenary of European settlement, according to the Reserve Bank of…
• When did Australia change its whole series to polymer? After the 1988 commemorative note, Australia converted its entire family of banknotes to polymer during the 1990s, beginning with the five dollar note in 1992 and…
• What is an Australian pound note? Before decimal currency, Australia used the Australian pound, which circulated from 1910 until 1966. The Commonwealth of Australia issued its first national banknotes…
• How do you start collecting Australian banknotes? Choose a focus that appeals to you, such as the pre-decimal pound notes, the first 1966 decimal series, or the polymer notes that begin with the historic 1988 ten…

Colombia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Colombia use? Colombia's official currency is the peso, issued by the Banco de la Republica, the country's central bank. The peso has been Colombia's currency since the 19th…
• Who is on Colombian banknotes? The family of notes introduced from 2016 features Colombian cultural and political figures. The 50,000 peso note honors the Nobel laureate author Gabriel Garcia…
• What is the highest-denomination Colombian banknote? The 100,000 peso note is the highest circulating denomination. It was introduced in 2016 as part of the current family of notes and features former president Carlos…
• Are Colombian peso notes worth collecting? Yes, for their design, story, and affordability. The modern series is prized for its vivid color and for honoring writers, artists, and scientists rather than only…
• Who issues Colombia's banknotes? The Banco de la Republica, Colombia's central bank, issues the country's banknotes. It was created in 1923 and given the sole right to issue currency, and its name…

Ethiopia Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the currency of Ethiopia? The currency of Ethiopia is the Ethiopian birr, ISO code ETB, which is divided into 100 santim. It is issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia, the country's central…
• Who issues Ethiopian banknotes? Ethiopian banknotes are issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia, which was established in 1963 as the central bank and sole note-issuing authority. Earlier paper…
• What is the highest denomination Ethiopian banknote? The 200 birr note is the highest circulating denomination. It was introduced in 2020 when the National Bank of Ethiopia issued a redesigned series with upgraded…
• Are older Ethiopian banknotes with Haile Selassie valuable to collectors? The imperial notes bearing the portrait of Emperor Haile Selassie, whose reign ran from 1930 to 1974, are among the most sought-after Ethiopian notes for their…
• Did Ethiopia ever have hyperinflation? Ethiopia is not one of the classic hyperinflation stories, and it does not appear among the record collapses catalogued in the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table…

Belize Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Belize use? Belize uses the Belize dollar, currency code BZD, which is pegged to the United States dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 to US$1, according to the Central Bank of…
• Who issues Belize's banknotes? The Central Bank of Belize is the sole issuing authority for the country's banknotes and coins. It was established on 1 January 1982 as the successor to the Belize…
• Do Belize banknotes feature Queen Elizabeth II? Yes. Queen Elizabeth II appeared on British Honduras notes from 1952 and remained on Belize paper money for decades after the colony was renamed Belize in 1973,…
• What is the difference between British Honduras and Belize banknotes? British Honduras was the colonial name of the country, and its government issued paper money under that name from 1894. The colony was renamed Belize in 1973, and the…
• Are older Belize and British Honduras banknotes worth collecting? Older Belize and British Honduras notes are collected for their history and their connection to the country's path from colony to independent nation. Condition drives…

Bermuda Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Bermuda use? Bermuda uses the Bermudian dollar, symbol $ and code BMD, which is divided into 100 cents. It is the official currency of Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, and…
• Is the Bermudian dollar pegged to the US dollar? Yes. The Bermudian dollar has been pegged one for one to the US dollar since 1972, when Bermuda broke the older link to the pound sterling on 31 July of that year.…
• Who issues Bermuda's banknotes? Bermuda's banknotes are issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the island's central financial regulator, which was established under the Bermuda Monetary Authority…
• What makes the 2009 Bermuda banknotes special? The 2009 series was Bermuda's first major redesign in about forty years and is printed vertically rather than in the usual landscape format. Each denomination, from…
• Does Bermuda have King Charles III banknotes? Yes. In late 2024 the Bermuda Monetary Authority issued new polymer $2 and $5 notes that were the first Bermuda banknotes to carry a portrait of King Charles III,…

El Salvador Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does El Salvador use? El Salvador uses the US dollar as its everyday currency and has done so since 2001. Its historic national currency was the Salvadoran colón (ISO code SVC), issued by…
• Why did El Salvador switch from the colón to the US dollar? On January 1, 2001, under President Francisco Flores, El Salvador's Law of Monetary Integration made the US dollar legal tender alongside the colón at a fixed rate of…
• What do Salvadoran colón banknotes depict? Christopher Columbus, the figure the colón was named for, appears on colón notes, in some designs at center and in others beside a map and his three ships. The other…
• Are Salvadoran colón banknotes worth collecting? Yes. Because the colón era is closed and well defined, running from the first Central Reserve Bank series of 1934 to the last notes before dollarization in 2001, El…
• Where can you buy El Salvador banknotes? Buy from a source-first dealer that inspects every note and documents where it came from. Planet Banknote stocks El Salvador notes rather than fixing a single market…

Fiji Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Fiji use? Fiji uses the Fijian dollar, ISO code FJD and symbol $, issued by the Reserve Bank of Fiji. The dollar replaced the Fijian pound on 15 January 1969 at a rate of two…
• When did Fiji switch from the pound to the dollar? Fiji converted from the imperial system of pounds, shillings, and pence to the decimal Fijian dollar on 15 January 1969, replacing the pound at a rate of one pound to…
• Why was Queen Elizabeth II removed from Fiji's banknotes? On 12 December 2012 the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, unveiled a new Flora and Fauna series that replaced the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with native…
• What is the Fiji seven dollar banknote? The Fiji seven dollar note is a commemorative issued in 2017 to celebrate the Fiji rugby sevens team winning gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and…
• How do you start collecting Fiji banknotes? Choose a focus that appeals to you, such as the Queen Elizabeth II decimal notes issued from 1969, the modern Flora and Fauna series, or commemoratives like the seven…

Oman Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Oman use? Oman's official currency is the Omani rial (ISO code OMR), divided into 1,000 baisa and issued by the Central Bank of Oman. Unusually, the rial is split into a…
• Why is the Omani rial so valuable? The Omani rial is valuable because of a long-standing fixed peg to the US dollar rather than any recent surge. The Central Bank of Oman has held the rial at 1 rial to…
• What was the Saidi rial? The Saidi rial was Oman's first modern currency, introduced on 7 May 1970 to replace the Gulf rupee at a rate of 1 Saidi rial to 21 rupees. It was named after the…
• What is the Central Bank of Oman? The Central Bank of Oman is Oman's central bank and the sole authority that issues, holds, and recalls the country's currency. It was established in December 1974 and…
• Are Omani banknotes a good place to start collecting? Yes. Oman offers a compact, well-defined series that begins only in 1970, so a collector can cover the whole modern arc from the Saidi rial to the current polymer…

Yemen Banknotes: History & Collecting Guide

• What is the Yemeni rial? The Yemeni rial is the national currency of Yemen, issued by the Central Bank of Yemen and technically divided into 100 fils, though fils coins have not circulated…
• What happened to North and South Yemen's currencies? Before 1990, North Yemen (the Yemen Arab Republic) used the North Yemeni rial and South Yemen (the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) used a separate,…
• Why are there two different Yemeni rials today? After the internationally recognized government relocated the Central Bank of Yemen to Aden in 2016, it began issuing new rial banknotes printed abroad. According to…
• Why did the Yemeni rial lose so much value? The rial collapsed during the war that began in 2015. The halt of oil exports, the loss of government revenue, the depletion of the central bank's foreign reserves,…
• Are Yemeni banknotes legal to own and collect? Yes. In the United States, foreign banknotes such as Yemeni rial and old South Yemeni dinar notes are legal to own and collect. Demonetized notes such as the South…

France Banknotes: History, Notable Notes & Collecting Guide

• What currency does France use today? France has used the euro since euro banknotes and coins entered circulation on 1 January 2002. The French franc lost legal tender status on 17 February 2002, at a…
• Can I still exchange old French franc banknotes? No. The Banque de France exchanged franc coins until 17 February 2005 and franc banknotes until 17 February 2012. Both deadlines have passed, so franc notes now carry…
• What were the assignats? Assignats were paper obligations first issued by France's National Assembly in December 1789, backed by church lands confiscated during the Revolution. Massive…
• Why did France introduce a new franc in 1960? Decades of wartime and postwar inflation had worn down the franc, so a reform launched in 1958 under Charles de Gaulle's government redenominated the currency. On 1…
• Are old French franc banknotes valuable? Franc notes are collected for design and history rather than face value. Condition drives price, and popular targets include the personality notes of the 1960s to…

Turkey Banknotes: History, Notable Notes and Collecting Guide

• What currency does Turkey use? Turkey uses the Turkish lira, issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. The current banknote family, the E9 emission group, entered circulation on January…
• What was the Ottoman kaime? The kaime was the Ottoman Empire's first paper money, introduced in 1840 under Sultan Abdulmecid I. According to the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey's Banknote…
• Why did Turkey drop six zeros from the lira? Decades of chronic inflation had pushed everyday prices into the millions of lira, so a redenomination law passed by the Grand National Assembly in January 2004…
• Did Turkey ever have hyperinflation? No, not by the standard academic definition. The Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute) counts an episode as hyperinflation only when prices rise more…
• Are old multi-million-lira Turkish notes still worth anything? They no longer hold monetary value. The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey withdrew the last old-lira banknotes on January 1, 2006, and their redemption period…

Poland Banknotes: Marka, Złoty and Two Hyperinflations

• Did Poland ever have hyperinflation? Yes, twice. The Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute) lists a marka episode from January 1923 to January 1924, with a peak monthly inflation rate of…
• What currency did Poland use before the złoty? The Polish marka, issued by the Polska Krajowa Kasa Pożyczkowa from 1917. It began as German occupation money at par with the German mark, was kept by independent…
• What was the 1995 Polish redenomination? On 1 January 1995, Narodowy Bank Polski replaced the old złoty (PLZ) with a new złoty (PLN) at 10,000 to 1, removing four zeroes after the high inflation of the late…
• Who appears on Polish banknotes today? The "Polish Rulers" series, designed by Andrzej Heidrich, features Mieszko I (10 złotych), Bolesław I the Brave (20), Casimir III the Great (50), Władysław II…
• Are old Polish banknotes worth collecting? Yes. Demonetized marka and old złoty notes can no longer be spent, so they are collected for history and design, and condition drives value. Late communist-era notes…

Ukraine Banknotes: History, Notable Notes, and Collecting Guide

• What is the currency of Ukraine? Ukraine's currency is the hryvnia, divided into 100 kopiyky. It was introduced during the monetary reform of September 2 to 16, 1996, when it replaced the karbovanets…
• What was the Ukrainian karbovanets? The karbovanets, popularly called the kupon, was Ukraine's transitional currency after independence. The National Bank of Ukraine put the coupon notes into…
• Did Ukraine have hyperinflation? Yes. Per the Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute), Ukraine's hyperinflation lasted from January 1992 to November 1994 and peaked in January 1992 at…
• What was the first Ukrainian banknote? The first Ukrainian banknote was a 100 karbovantsiv note of the Ukrainian People's Republic, issued on January 5, 1918. It was designed by the artist Heorhiy Narbut,…
• Are old karbovanets and UNR notes worth anything? They hold collector value rather than spending value, since both currencies were withdrawn long ago. Most 1992 to 1996 kupon notes are common and affordable, even in…

Bolivia Banknotes: Hyperinflation History & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Bolivia use today? Bolivia uses the boliviano, divided into 100 centavos and issued by the Banco Central de Bolivia. It was introduced on January 1, 1987, replacing the peso boliviano…
• How bad was Bolivia's hyperinflation? The Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute) records Bolivia's hyperinflation lasting from April 1984 to September 1985. In the peak month, February…
• What was Supreme Decree 21060? Supreme Decree 21060 was the stabilization package promulgated by President Victor Paz Estenssoro on August 29, 1985. Known as the New Economic Policy, it freed…
• What is a cheque de gerencia? A cheque de gerencia is a bank manager's check. During the 1984 to 1985 hyperinflation the Banco Central de Bolivia issued these checks as circulating currency…
• Are old Bolivian peso notes worth anything? Only as collectibles. The peso boliviano was replaced by the boliviano in 1987 and no longer circulates, so its value today is collector value. That depends on…

Peru Banknotes: The Sol, the Inti & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Peru use today? Peru uses the sol, issued by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. It was introduced on 1 July 1991 as the nuevo sol, replacing the inti at 1,000,000 to 1, and Peru's…
• What was the Peruvian inti? The inti was Peru's currency from 1985 to 1991. Introduced on 1 February 1985 at 1,000 soles de oro to 1 inti, it was named after Inti, the sun god of the Incas,…
• How bad was Peru's hyperinflation? The Hanke-Krus World Hyperinflation Table (Cato Institute) records two Peruvian episodes, both under the inti: one in September 1988 that peaked at 114 percent…
• How many intis equaled one nuevo sol? One million. The nuevo sol replaced the inti at 1,000,000 intis to 1 nuevo sol on 1 July 1991. Because the inti had itself replaced the sol de oro at 1,000 to 1 in…
• Are Peruvian inti banknotes worth collecting? Yes. The inti era lasted barely six years and ended in a million-to-one redenomination, so its high-denomination notes, including the 1,000,000 intis note featuring…

India Banknotes: History, Rarities, and Collecting Guide

• What currency does India use? India uses the Indian rupee, ISO code INR, issued by the Reserve Bank of India. The rupee symbol ₹, designed by D. Udaya Kumar, was introduced by the Government of…
• When was the Reserve Bank of India founded? The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. It issued its first banknote, a 5 rupee note with King George…
• Are old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from before 2016 worth anything? They are no longer legal tender and the official exchange window closed at the end of 2016, so they have no face value. They now trade only as collectibles, where…
• What was India's largest banknote? The 10,000 rupee note, first issued by the Reserve Bank of India in June 1938. It was demonetized in January 1946, reintroduced in 1954, and demonetized again in…
• Is it legal to own British India banknotes? Yes. In the United States and most countries, collecting demonetized and historical banknotes, including Raj era notes, is fully legal. India does restrict moving…

Philippines Banknotes: History, Notable Notes and Collecting Guide

• What was Mickey Mouse money in the Philippines? Mickey Mouse money was the Filipino nickname for the fiat pesos issued by the Japanese occupation government between 1942 and 1945, printed with the words "The…
• What are Philippine guerrilla and emergency notes? They are emergency currency printed during World War II by provincial currency boards authorized by President Manuel Quezon and by resistance forces in areas outside…
• Are Japanese occupation pesos from the Philippines valuable? Most common types are inexpensive because they were printed in vast quantities and became worthless after liberation, so their appeal is historical rather than…
• Is the Philippines replacing paper banknotes with polymer? Not entirely. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas released a 1000-piso polymer note in April 2022 and unveiled the First Philippine Polymer Series of 50, 100 and 500 piso…
• What is the difference between peso and piso? They are the same currency. Peso is the Spanish and English name, while piso is the Filipino-language spelling that has appeared on the notes themselves since the…

South Korea Banknotes: History, Notable Notes & Collecting Guide

• When was the current South Korean won introduced? The won in use today dates from the currency reform of June 10, 1962, when the Bank of Korea replaced the hwan at a rate of ten hwan to one won and issued six new…
• What was the South Korean hwan? The hwan was South Korea's currency from February 15, 1953 to June 10, 1962. It was introduced after Korean War inflation at a rate of 100 won to 1 hwan, and the Bank…
• Who is the woman on the 50,000 won note? She is Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-period artist, calligrapher, and writer who lived from 1504 to 1551. When the Bank of Korea issued the 50,000 won note on June 23,…
• Who issues South Korean banknotes? The Bank of Korea, the country's central bank, has issued South Korea's banknotes since its founding on June 12, 1950. The notes themselves are printed by the Korea…
• Are South Korean banknotes valuable to collectors? It depends on the note, its era, and its condition. Modern circulated won notes are inexpensive, while early Bank of Korea issues, hwan-era notes, and high-grade…

North Korea Banknotes: The Won, the 2009 Revaluation and Collecting Guide

• Is it legal to own North Korean banknotes in the United States? This is general information, not legal advice. US sanctions rules, the North Korea Sanctions Regulations, broadly prohibit importing goods of North Korean origin into…
• What was the 2009 North Korean currency revaluation? On November 30, 2009, North Korea announced a surprise revaluation that exchanged 100 old won for 1 new won and capped how much cash each household could convert.…
• What are the red won and blue won? They are foreign exchange certificates North Korea issued for visitors from 1983 until the system was abolished in 2002. Notes for visitors from socialist countries…
• Are old North Korean won notes worth anything? They have no monetary or exchange value. The pre-2009 series was demonetized in the revaluation, and the won was never convertible abroad. Their worth comes entirely…
• What is the highest denomination North Korean banknote? The 5,000 won note is the highest denomination in the current series introduced in the 2009 revaluation. In 2014 North Korea released a redesigned 5,000 won note that…

Switzerland Banknotes: History, Design Series and Collecting Guide

• What currency does Switzerland use? Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, ISO code CHF, divided into 100 centimes, called Rappen in German-speaking Switzerland. Banknotes are issued by the Swiss National…
• How many Swiss banknote series are there? The Swiss National Bank has created nine banknote series since 1907. Seven of them circulated, while the fourth series of 1938 and the seventh series of 1984 were…
• Which Swiss banknote won Bank Note of the Year? Two of them, in consecutive years. The International Bank Note Society named the vertical green 50 franc note its Bank Note of the Year for 2016, and the yellow 10…
• Can old Swiss banknotes still be exchanged? It depends on the series. Since 1 January 2020, banknotes from the sixth series of 1976 onward can be exchanged at the Swiss National Bank for current notes at full…
• Is the 1,000 Swiss franc note still in use? Yes. The ninth series 1,000 franc note was issued on 13 March 2019 and remains legal tender, making it one of the highest-value banknotes in general circulation…

Canada Banknotes: History, Notable Notes & Collecting Guide

• What currency does Canada use? Canada uses the Canadian dollar, ISO code CAD and symbol $, divided into 100 cents. The Bank of Canada has been the country's sole banknote issuer since 1935. Canada…
• What is the Devil's Face on 1954 Canadian banknotes? On the first printings of the 1954 series, highlights in Queen Elizabeth II's hair, just behind her ear, appeared to form a grinning devil's face. The portrait was…
• Are old Canadian banknotes still legal tender? Most are, but not all. On January 1, 2021, the $1, $2, $25, $500, and $1,000 notes from every Bank of Canada series lost their legal tender status, according to the…
• When did Canada switch to polymer banknotes? Between 2011 and 2013, with the Frontier series. The Bank of Canada issued the polymer $100 on November 14, 2011, the $50 in March 2012, the $20 in November 2012, and…
• Who was the first Canadian woman on a banknote? Viola Desmond, the civil rights icon featured on the vertical $10 note that entered circulation on November 19, 2018. She is the first Canadian woman, other than…

South Africa Banknotes: The Rand, the Big Five & the Mandela Series

• What currency does South Africa use? South Africa uses the rand, ISO code ZAR and symbol R, divided into 100 cents. It is issued by the South African Reserve Bank and was introduced on 14 February 1961,…
• Whose portrait appeared on apartheid-era rand notes? From 1961 into the early 1990s, rand notes carried a portrait identified as Jan van Riebeeck, the Dutch East India Company commander who founded the Cape settlement…
• Which animals are on South Africa's Big Five banknotes? Each denomination carries one animal: the rhinoceros on the R10, the elephant on the R20, the lion on the R50, the Cape buffalo on the R100, and the leopard on the…
• When were the Mandela banknotes introduced? The South African Reserve Bank put the Mandela series into circulation on 6 November 2012, placing Nelson Mandela's portrait on the front of every denomination from…
• Are old South African banknotes still legal tender? Yes. According to the South African Reserve Bank, all banknotes it has issued remain legal tender and keep their face value regardless of issue date. For collectors…

Israel Banknotes: Lira, Shekel and New Shekel Collecting Guide

• What currency does Israel use today? Israel uses the new shekel, issued by the Bank of Israel. The Bank of Israel dates its introduction to September 4, 1985, when it replaced the old shekel at 1,000 to…
• What was the Israeli lira or pound? The lira, also called the Israeli pound, was Israel's currency from June 1952 until February 1980. It was first issued by Bank Leumi le-Israel and then by the Bank of…
• Did Israel have hyperinflation in the 1980s? Not by the technical definition. Annual inflation reached 445 percent in 1984, per National Bureau of Economic Research work on Israel's stabilization, which is…
• Why is Israel's currency called the new shekel? Because it replaced the original shekel of 1980. As part of the 1985 Economic Stabilization Plan, Israel dropped three zeros from its currency, exchanging 1,000 old…
• Are old Israeli banknotes valuable? It depends on the era and the condition. Inflation-era shekel notes from 1980 to 1985 are generally plentiful and affordable, even in high grades, because the reform…

Terms & Reference

Banknote Terminology: A Collector's Glossary

• What is the difference between a raw and a certified banknote? A raw banknote is one that has not been graded by a third party; it is sold loose, as-is, and its condition rests on the seller's description. A certified note has…
• What do EPQ and PPQ mean on a graded note? Both certify original, unaltered paper. EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) is PMG's designation and PPQ (Premium Paper Quality) is the equivalent from PCGS Banknote,…
• What is the difference between a star note and a replacement note? They describe the same thing from different angles. A replacement note is any note printed to replace one spoiled during production, issued under a distinct serial…
• What is a Pick number and where does it come from? A Pick number is the standard catalog ID that uniquely identifies a banknote type, drawn from the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, the reference originally…
• Is a Certificate of Authenticity the same as third-party grading? No. A Certificate of Authenticity is the seller's own written assurance that a note is genuine and as described, which is only as strong as the business behind it.…

Banknote Security Features Explained

• What are the main security features on a banknote? The features collectors and graders check most are the security thread, the watermark, optically variable color-shifting ink, intaglio raised printing, microprinting,…
• Does every banknote have a watermark? No. A watermark is formed in the paper as it is made, and not every note has one. Notes printed under sanctions or emergency conditions sometimes omit it, and polymer…
• What is optically variable ink on a banknote? It is ink that changes color as the viewing angle changes, for example from green to gold, and it is also called color-shifting ink. The effect comes from microscopic…
• What is the difference between a cotton and a polymer banknote? Cotton, usually a cotton-linen rag blend, is the traditional paper substrate that feels firm and crisp and can carry a true watermark and an embedded thread. Polymer…
• Can a counterfeit-detection pen prove a banknote is genuine? No. A detection pen only reacts to paper chemistry and can give false readings, and it cannot check a thread set inside the paper, raised intaglio, or a color shift.…

Pick Numbers & Banknote Catalogs Explained

• What is a Pick number on a banknote? A Pick number is the standard catalog identifier for a world banknote, drawn from the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, the reference originally compiled by…
• What does the P in P-91 stand for? The P stands for Pick, after Albert Pick, the collector and author whose numbering system became the standard for cataloging world paper money. The number that…
• Do all dealers and grading services use the same Pick number? Largely yes, and that is the point of the system. Because the Pick number is a shared reference, a note listed as P-91 by one dealer is the same issue a grading…
• What does a suffix letter like a or b mean after a Pick number? Suffix letters distinguish minor varieties of the same basic note. When a single design was issued with different signatures, dates, or printings, the catalog…
• Is the Pick catalog the only way to reference banknotes? No. The Pick system from the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money is the most widely used reference for world notes, but it is not the only one. Some countries have…

Star Notes & Replacement Notes Explained

• What is a replacement note? A replacement note is a banknote printed to take the place of a note that was damaged, misprinted, or spoiled during production. Because every note in a print run…
• What is a star note? A star note is the United States term for a replacement note. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints it with a star symbol in the serial number in place of a…
• Why are replacement notes worth more than regular notes? Replacement notes command a premium because far fewer of them are printed. They exist only to cover notes pulled during inspection, so any given series produces a…
• How can I verify that a note is really a replacement? Check the serial number itself. For a United States star note, confirm the star is printed as part of both serial numbers in the same ink and style, not drawn or…
• Do all countries use a star to mark replacement notes? No. The star is mainly a United States convention, and it is also used by a few other issuers such as India, which places a star in the serial number panel. Many…

Specimen Notes: What They Are & Why Collectors Prize Them

• What is a specimen banknote? A specimen banknote is a non-circulating example of a note, produced by the issuing authority or its security printer for reference and archival use rather than for…
• Are specimen notes legal tender? No. A specimen note was never issued for circulation and has no face value as money. Its markings, such as a SPECIMEN overprint, perforation, or zero serial numbers,…
• How can you tell a note is a specimen? Look for a SPECIMEN overprint or a perforated SPECIMEN spelled out in punched holes, serial numbers that read all zeros or a repeated sample figure, and sometimes…
• Why are specimen notes valuable to collectors? Specimen notes are prized because they are scarce and almost always pristine. Issuing banks distributed them in tiny quantities to other central banks, archives, and…
• What is the difference between a specimen and a proof? A specimen is a finished, printed note marked and voided for reference, while a proof is an earlier trial impression used to check a design or printing quality before…

Notgeld: The Emergency Money of Crisis-Era Germany

• What is Notgeld? Notgeld, German for emergency money, was currency issued by towns, states, banks, and companies when official Reichsbank notes and coins ran short. It appeared most…
• Why did German towns and companies issue their own money? They filled a gap the central bank could not. During the First World War, metal coins were hoarded and diverted to the war effort, leaving a shortage of small change,…
• What is the difference between circulating Notgeld and collector series notes? Circulating Notgeld was genuine emergency money meant to be spent locally, from plain small-change slips to the high-denomination notes of 1923. Collector series…
• Why is Notgeld so collectible today? Notgeld combines real historical weight with beautiful, endlessly varied design at a low entry price. A single collection can range across thousands of towns, themes,…
• Was Notgeld printed on anything besides paper? Yes. While most Notgeld was paper, issuers experimented widely, and surviving pieces are documented on linen, silk, leather, and wood, with some emergency tokens even…

Guides & Info

Most Valuable World Banknotes: 2026 Collector Rankings

• What is the most valuable banknote in the world? The most valuable banknote ever sold at public auction is the 1890 United States $1,000 Treasury Note, known as the Grand Watermelon note. It realized $3,290,000 at…
• What are the most valuable banknotes a collector can actually buy in 2026? Seven-figure record-holders rarely change hands, so most collectors focus on accessible notes with strong provenance. At Planet Banknote, the highest-value items in…
• What makes a banknote valuable? Four factors drive banknote value: rarity, meaning how few examples survive; condition, expressed as a certified grade on the 1 to 70 scale, with EPQ or PPQ…
• Why is the Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note so collectible? The Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar note (Pick P-91) is the highest-denomination banknote of the modern era, with fourteen zeros. It was dated 2008, released in January…
• How do I know a valuable banknote is authentic? Authentication comes down to third-party grading and trusted sourcing. PMG and PCGS certify notes on a 1 to 70 scale and seal them in tamper-evident holders. Planet…

About the Planet Banknote Reference Library

• Is the Reference Library free to use? Yes. Every guide is free to read and free to cite with attribution. The Planet Banknote store funds the library.
• Who is behind the Planet Banknote Reference Library? Planet Banknote, a family-owned numismatic dealership in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 2021, whose leadership brings 15+ years of numismatic industry experience,…
• How often is the library updated? Price pages, including the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Price Index, are updated monthly from Planet Banknote's own retail data. Reference pages are reviewed quarterly, and…
• How do I report an error? Email admin@planetbanknote.com with the page and the claim. We check reported errors against the named sources and correct the page, because a reference library is…

Banknote Collecting FAQ | Planet Banknote

• How do I know the banknotes are real and not counterfeit? Authenticity is the foundation of our business. Every item we sell goes through our Planet Banknote Verified inspection process. We source inventory directly from…
• What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)? A Certificate of Authenticity is a document that accompanies your purchase and certifies that the banknote is genuine. Every order from Planet Banknote includes a COA…
• Who is behind Planet Banknote? Planet Banknote is a family-owned and operated numismatic dealership based in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 2021. Our leadership team brings 15+ years of industry…
• Where are you located? We are based in Sarasota, Florida, USA. All orders ship from our facility in Sarasota. You can reach us by phone at (888) 996-COIN (2646) or by email at…
• Do you include a free gift with every order? Yes. Every single order from Planet Banknote, regardless of size, includes a complimentary bonus gift. We have included a free gift with every order since our…
• How do your BOGO (Buy One Get One) deals work? Our BOGO deals offer genuine buy-one-get-one-free value on select banknotes. When a product is listed as a BOGO deal, the listing will clearly state what you receive,…
• What is PBGrade? PBGrade is our sister brand specializing in currency protection. We designed and built the world's first semi-rigid currency sleeves specifically sized for the 2008…
• Do you sell gold and silver in addition to banknotes? Yes. We carry a curated selection of investment-grade gold and silver products including American Silver Eagles, Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, commemorative coins,…
• Do you buy banknotes from private sellers? On rare occasions, we may consider purchasing exceptionally rare or significant banknotes. However, due to the prevalence of counterfeits and altered notes in the…
• What does UNC mean on a banknote? UNC stands for Uncirculated. It is the highest condition grade a banknote can receive, meaning the note has never been used in everyday transactions. An uncirculated…
• What do the banknote grades mean (UNC, AU, XF, VF, F, VG, G)? Banknote grading follows an internationally recognized scale that describes the condition and preservation of a note. From highest to lowest: UNC (Uncirculated):…
• What is PMG grading and why does it matter? PMG stands for Paper Money Guaranty, the world's largest third-party paper money grading service. When a banknote is PMG graded, an independent team of experts has…
• What is the difference between PMG and PCGS grading? Both PMG and PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) are trusted third-party grading services, but they specialize in different areas. PMG focuses exclusively on…
• What is a Planet Banknote PMG Pedigree Label? Our PMG Pedigree Label is an exclusive custom label applied to select banknotes that have been hand-picked from our own collection, professionally graded by PMG, and…
• Do you offer free shipping? Yes. Every order shipped to a US address receives free USPS Priority Shipping at no extra cost, regardless of order size. International shipping is also available to…
• What is your return policy? We offer a 7-day return policy on eligible items. To be eligible, the item must be in the same condition as received: unaltered, undamaged, and in its original…
• Is it legal to own foreign banknotes like Zimbabwe Trillion Dollar notes or Iranian Rials? Yes. It is completely legal to buy, own, and sell foreign banknotes in the United States and most countries around the world. Collectible banknotes, including…
• Are Zimbabwe Trillion Dollar notes still legal tender? No. The original Zimbabwe dollar was officially suspended in April 2009, and the Trillion-series notes are no longer recognized as legal tender in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe…
• Why is the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note so sought after by collectors? The Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note (Pick P-91) is the highest-denomination banknote of the modern era, with fourteen zeros on its face, making it a unique artifact…
• What happened in Zimbabwe that caused hyperinflation? Zimbabwe experienced one of the most severe cases of hyperinflation in recorded history during the late 2000s. A combination of factors drove the crisis: the…
• Why are Venezuelan Bolivar hyperinflation notes popular with collectors? Venezuela has experienced one of the most dramatic hyperinflation events in modern history, and the Bolivar has been redenominated multiple times. High-denomination…
• What are Zimbabwe Agro Cheques? Special Agro Cheques (short for "agricultural cheques") were a parallel form of currency issued by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from May to July 2008. They were…

Planet Banknote is a family-owned dealership in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 2021. Every note is sourced direct from mints, central banks, and authorized distributors, inspected through our Planet Banknote Verified process, and ships with a free Certificate of Authenticity. US orders ship free via USPS Priority, and every order includes a free bonus gift.