IBNS品相标准

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IBNS GRADING ST FOR WORLD PAPE

The following introduction and Grading Guide is the result of International Bank Note Society (IBNS). It has been adopted as the Introduction Grading is the most controversial component of paper money collecting today. Small differences in grade can mean significant Vdifferences in value. The process of grading is so subjective and dependent on external influences such as lighting, that even a very experienced individual may well grade the same note differently on separate occasions. To facilitate communication between sellers and buyers, it is essential that grading terms and their meanings be as standardized and as widely used as possible. This standardization should reflect common usage as much as practicable.

One difficulty with grading is that even the actual grades themselves are not used everywhere by everyone. For example, in Europe the grade ‘About Uncirculated’ (AU) is not in general use, yet in North America it is widespread. The European term ‘Good VF’ may roughly correspond to what individuals in North America call ‘Extremely Fine’ (EF). The grades and definitions as set forth below cannot reconcile all the various systems and grading terminology variants. Rather, the attempt is made here to try and diminish the controversy with some common-sense grades and definitions that aim to give more precise meaning to the grading language of paper money.

How to look at a banknote In order to ascertain the grade of a note, it is essential to examine it out of a holder and under a good light. Move the note around so that light bounces off of it at different angles. Try holding the note obliquely, so the note is even with your eye as you look up at the light. Hard-to-see folds or slight creases will show up under such examination. Some individuals also lightly feel along the surface of the note to detect creasing. GRADING Definitions of Terms UNCIRCULATED: A perfectly preserved note, never mishandled by the issuing authority, a bank teller, the public or a collector. Paper is clean and firm, without discoloration.

Corners are sharp and square without any evidence of rounding. (Rounded corners are often a tell-tale sign of a cleaned or “doctored” note.) NOTE: Some note issues are most often available with slight evidence of very light counting folds which do not “break” the paper. Also, French-printed notes usually have a slight ripple in the paper. Many collectors and dealers refer to such notes as AU-UNC.

ABOUT UNCIRCULATED: A virtually perfect note, with some minor handling. May show very slight evidence of bank counting folds at a corner or one light fold through the center, but not both. An AU note canot be creased, a crease being a hard fold which has usually “broken” the surface of the note.

TANDARDS ER MONEY

work prepared under the guidance of the Grading Committee of the e offi cial grading standards of that society. Cleaning, Washing, Pressing of Banknotes a) Cleaning, washing or pressing paper money is generally harmful and reduces both the grade and the value of a note. At the very least, a washed or pressed note may lose its original sheen and its surface may become lifeless and dull. The defects a note had, such as folds and creases, may not necessarily be completely eliminated and their telltale marks can be detected under a good light.

Carelessly washed notes may also have white streaks where the folds or creases were (or still are). b) Processing of a note which started out as Extremely Fine will automatically reduce it at least one full grade. Unnatural Defects Glue, tape or pencil marks may sometimes be successfuly removed. While such removal will leave a cleaned surface, it will improve the overall appearance of the note without concealing any of its defects. Under such circumstances, the grade of that note may also be improved. The words “pinholes”, “staple holes”, “trimmed”, “graffiti”, “writing on face”, “tape marks” etc. should always be added to the description of a note.

It is realized that certain countries routinely staple their notes together in groups before issue. In such cases, the description can include a comment such as “usual staple holes” or something similar. After all, not everyone knows that certain notes cannot be found otherwise. The major point of this section is that one cannot lower the overall grade of a note with defects simply because of the defects. The value will reflect the lowered worth of a defective note, but the description must always include the specific defects.

Paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners are not rounded. NOTE: Europeans will refer to an About Uncirculated or AU note as “EF-Unc” or as just “EF”. The Extremely Fine note described below will often be referred to as “GVF” or “Good Very Fine”.

EXTREMELY FINE: A very attractive note, with light handling. May have a maximum of three light folds or one strong crease. Paper is clean and firm, without discoloration. Corners are sharp and square without any evidence of rounding. (Rounded corners are often a tell-tale sign of a cleaned or “doctored” note.)

VERY FINE: An attractive note, but with more evidence of handling and wear. May have several folds both vertically and horizontally. Paper may have minimal dirt, or possible color smudging. Paper itself is still relatively crisp and not floppy.

There are no tears into the border area, although the edges do show slight wear. Corners also show wear but not full rounding.

FINE: A note that shows consideralble circulation, with many folds, creases and wrinkling. Paper is not excessively dirty but may have some softness. Edges may show much handling, with minor tears in the border area. Tears may not extend into the design. There will be no center hole because of excessive folding. Colors are clear but not very bright. A staple hole or two would would not be considered unusual wear in a Fine note. Overall appearance is still on the desirable side.

VERY GOOD: A well used note, abused but still intact. Corners may have much wear and rounding, tiny nicks, tears may extend into the design, some discoloration may be prsent, staining may have occurred, and a small hole may sometimes be seen at center from excessive folding. Staple and pinholes are usually present, and the note itself is quite limp but NO pieces of the note can be missing. A note in VG condition may still have an overall not unattractive appearance.

GOOD: A well worn and heavily used note. Normal damage from prolonged circulation will include strong multiple folds and creases, stains, pinholes and/or staple holes, dirt, discoloration, edge tears, center hole, rounded corners and an overall unattractive appearance. No large pieces of the note may be missing. Graffiti is commonly seen on notes in G condition.

FAIR: A totally limp, dirty and very well used note. Larger pieces may be half torn off or missing besides the defects mentioned under the Good category. Tears will be larger, obscured portions of the note will be bigger.

POOR: A “rag” with severe damage because of wear, staining, pieces missing, graffiti, larger holes. May have tape holding pieces of the note together. Trimming may have taken place to remove rough edges. A Poor note is desiralble only as a “filler” or when such a note is the only one known of that particular issue.

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A word on crimps to otherwise uncirculated notes.

Due to inclusion of wide security foils, crimps appear at the top and bottom edge during production or counting. Thus notes which are uncirculated have a crimp. Examples without these crimps are beginning to command a premium.

International Bank Note Society The International Bank note Society (IBNS) was formed in 1961 to promote the study and collecting of world paper money. A membership of almost 2,000 in over 90 nations draws on the services of the Society for advancing their knowledge and their collections. The benefits of the society include the quarterly IBNS Journal, a full color, 80-page magazine featuring learned writings on the notes of the world, their history, artistry and technical background. Additionally each member receives a directory, which lists members by name—with their contact details and collecting interests—as well as by geographic location. The Society conducts auctions in which all members may participate.

One of the greatest strengths of IBNS membership is the facility for correspondence with other members around the world for purposes of exchanging notes, and for obtaining information and assistance with research projects or the identifi cation of notes. Information about the Society can be found at www.theIBNS.org

Application for Membership in the International Bank Note Society

Name: _________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________________________

Province/State: __________________________________________________

Postal/Zip Code: _________________________________________________

Country: _______________________________________________________

Telephone: _____________________________________________________

E-mail: ________________________________________________________

Website: ________________________________________________________

Collecting Interest: _______________________________________________

Do you want your postal address and web site published in the printed Membership Directory? ❑ Yes ❑ No

Do you want your e-mail address published in the printed Membership Directory? ❑ Yes ❑ No

Do you want your postal address and web site published in the PDF version of the Membership Directory? ❑ Yes ❑ No

Do you want your email address published in the PDF version of the Membership Directory? ❑ Yes ❑ No

Do you want your e-mail address to appear on the IBNS web site? ❑ Yes ❑ No Are you a banknote dealer? ❑ Yes ❑ No

Type of Membership: Individual ❑ $US33.00 ❑ £20.00 ❑ $AU37.50 Group ❑ $US33.00 ❑ £20.00 ❑ $AU37.50 Junior (Under 18) ❑ $US16.50 ❑ £10.00 ❑ $AU18.75 Family ❑ $US33.00 ❑ £20.00 ❑ $AU37.50 Mail to: IBNS US Membership Secretary, PO Box 081643, Racine, WI 53408-1643, USA

Or application for membership can be completed on line at: www.theIBNS.org

For further information please contact us-secretary@ibns.biz or general-secretary@ibns.biz