The above Indian solid 2 received a grade of Choice UNC 64 EPQ from PMG on my last submission. I did not grade the 2-digit $100 radar from the Bank of Guyana.
Here's a couple of solid 5 radars from the Philippines (50 & 100 Pesos):
escued from the wild. 2 radar notes and 1 super radar.
-Good to know they're now safe hands! 😀
Wonder if anyone here has the
Rotator Serial Number or a flipper, this pedigree is a serial number that doesn’t change if read upside down.
like the number 6699 6699
There are “rotator radars” and then true "rotators" (much like “ladder radars” eg 1234321 & "true ladders" eg 1234567). Typical rotators are much more uncommon than 2 digit radars (since collectors haven't sought or saved them) & they're really hard to get but that is off-topic and begs another thread. Here's a true rotator 086980 just for curiosity sake (but its not a radar):
The best thing about this $1 note from Bahamas was that I paid $12.00 CDN at a LCS (he obviously had no idea it was a rotator which a lot of coin people don't see). This was half BV (its the 1980's P-43, a tough note in UNC which books about $20 USD). I was there just for supplies so I'm glad the owner insisted I look through his inventory.
And here's a rotator radar which oddly enough, I got from my Lotto ticket change. These are 1 in 10,000,000 so a bit of prize in itself (just too bad it is in such poor circulated shape):
And here's another 2 digit rotator radar which came after a half brick (500 note) search (Choice UNC 64 Original). It is one of our Commemorative 2018 Tens:
Thai Baht with all 5s would be insane buy for me :-). Very difficult to find. In general all banknotes with all same digits in serial are a pain to find. I had maybe 10 banknotes overall in my hands and have none now.
But the notes I have posted haven't been that expensive. Anyone could acquire special serial numbered notes for very little. I would say that 80% of the notes I have posted were $1 to $5 over the price one would pay for a regular 10,000,000 run. I find it absolutely crazy (b/c it is so easy to pick these up)! You just need to know who to source & that it is much better to buy in sets or a lot (like 5 notes) (so you have to dish out a little more at first) but in the long run it is well worth it. The Croatian radars were about $5 each whereas a regular note was $0.50 to $1.00 when I bought it. Low # World notes were even cheaper at times. CDN, USD or UK where the currency has strong value (forget about it- they're very expensive!)
Thai Baht with all 5s would be insane buy for me :-). Very difficult to find. In general all banknotes with all same digits in serial are a pain to find. I had maybe 10 banknotes overall in my hands and have none now.
That would be fun to have. I can't remember seeing any Thai notes with 3 or more 5's in a row. If I find any, I will keep you in mind. The real numbers to have on Thai notes are with 9's. I have a 1,000-baht serial 9LL9999###. Thai people believe the 9's are lucky for accumulating wealth. (I'm still waiting for my wealth to accumulate, 5555.)
For those reading and not understanding about the 5's, in the Thai language the number 5 is pronounced ha. When writing messages, instead of “lol” we use 55555 to mean laughing.
Thai Baht with all 5s would be insane buy for me :-). Very difficult to find. In general all banknotes with all same digits in serial are a pain to find. I had maybe 10 banknotes overall in my hands and have none now.
That would be fun to have. I can't remember seeing any Thai notes with 3 or more 5's in a row. If I find any, I will keep you in mind. The real numbers to have on Thai notes are with 9's. I have a 1,000-baht serial 9LL9999###. Thai people believe the 9's are lucky for accumulating wealth. (I'm still waiting for my wealth to accumulate, 5555.)
For those reading and not understanding about the 5's, in the Thai language the number 5 is pronounced ha. When writing messages, instead of “lol” we use 55555 to mean laughing.
Thanks a lot :-). I am also aware about 9s and have seen those listed online.
To kick off the new year I thought I would post matching 2 digit radars from an original & security upgraded Bank of Canada series (featuring a sport I enjoyed as a kid):
To kick off the new year I thought I would post matching 2 digit radars from an original & security upgraded Bank of Canada series (featuring a sport I enjoyed as a kid):
Police lingo - put out an APB on radar notes. Serial_Number_8 has asked for a bolo.
-Pretty funny! (the APB acronym works a lot better than the HNH prefix)
I hope there is an “against all odds” story of how both of these notes ended up in your collection.
-Sorry to let you down but no real gripping story behind these matching radars. I just happened to meet a few fellow banknote collectors around 2003-2006. I started to get interested in the hobby around that year (when the $10 was getting laser printed & the problem was reported in the news). Coin collectors outnumber us currency collectors by at least a ratio of 10:1 so we often banded together at a few coin shows during those years. We knew that the security stripped $20 was coming out in 2004 so expected the $5 & $10 to be upgraded (security wise). We paper collectors just got to "talking shop" at a show & I probably had just acquired the HNH 2 digit radar (which I probably showed them). One of them, a special number enthusiast came back to me during one of these small town shows we were attending & told me he spotted the 2 digit APB match. I wasn't even considering buying it (& was surprised by him remembering my 2 digit radar TBH). So I went to the seller & saw that it was Choice Unc & bought it from him. I think I appreciated the pair much more once I got home (& put them side by side)!
Here's the only 2 digit radar I have found in the past 9 years that was UNC for the polymer $5.00 (& it came from a small ATM withdrawal):
Just flipped through my collection because of this thread and found a ladder on a notgeld note from gramby, which I actually think isn't registered in the catalogue: Also found out that I have a 1000 kroner note, which is one number away from being either a ladder (232233) or a radar (232232):
Here's the first UNC radar I picked out of a brick (1000) banknotes around 2003, just when we knew the Original Journey series was going to get a security strip upgrade. This created a bit of a buzz amongst us collectors as we were all scrambling to find some “lost prefixes” (2003 BEK, BEL & BER). In all my searches, I never found a 2003 BER but just one tatty BEL & BEK. But I did get this FEJ radar which I later certified:
The beauty for this note is the serial no Y2k 10101. Everything on the serial no, including the prefix are related to the millennium ''bug/year' and it's dated 2000 too. The icing on the cake for this note is that I only paid 7.50 pounds for this, directly from the bank, as it came in a folder. I do not know how much this note is worth now, but the specimen piece (dated 1999) cost me an arm and a leg, despite more that 1000 pieces were printed.
Everything on the serial no, including the prefix are related to the millennium ''bug/year' and it's dated 2000 too. The icing on the cake for this note is that I only paid 7.50 pounds for this, directly from the bank, as it came in a folder.
-That is very “sweet” ahkai as many would say when one gets a double-whammy bonus like that (or beauty that tickles his/her fancy). Also, nice add pac.man! Thanks for sharing guys!
Here's one from New Zealand I couldn't resist:
What is cool about the above solid radar (or what actually tickled my fancy) was that I picked up its adjacent # note (or “sister” note) about ½ year later from a different seller. The note was cheap (priced as a regular # note) as well, so I had no idea it would turn out to be the “sister note” to the above solid ones above (so a binary note as well):
To be honest, out of my entire collections of 6,000+ notes, I have less than 10 pieces that are radar, excluding solid notes. If I include solid notes, it would be around between 20 notes or even less.
Here are the two nice radars that I have in my collections; -
I believe the series for this print commenced with DD200001
This series commences with P/1 400001
This is the first note of the series, I believe. If you have seen this series with lower serial nos, please feel free to let me know. Please let me know if I am wrong.
The above 2 Malaysia polymer notes came in a folder (matching serial nos series). Such radar would be harder to find because it has 7-digit serial number. Of course, those posted earlier (Canadian notes) with 8-digit radar are even harder to find too.
I am not a radar notes collector, but when you get notes like these unexpectedly, it just made you feel good. I just do not believe in paying extra-extra for such notes. I am aware that they are collectors solely collecting banknotes with radar serial nos only. None of the above notes cost me an arm and a leg. They were all purchased at a very reasonable price.
To be honest, out of my entire collections of 6,000+ notes, I have less than 10 pieces that are radar, excluding solid notes. If I include solid notes, it would be around between 20 notes or even less.
That's still quite a few radars ahkai!
Here are the two nice radars that I have in my collections; -
They're are very sweet special numbers too! I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to have those notes. I like those Malaysian radars b/c they seem low number (like my 0008000). To have a few zeros on the left & right border digits is kind of cool. There's no added premium on my Charlton tables for the book values but I've seen thousand 2 digit radars (like my 0002000) go for bigger premiums than a regular 2 digit radar (say 8555558).
I just do not believe in paying extra-extra for such notes. I am aware that they are collectors solely collecting banknotes with radar serial nos only. None of the above notes cost me an arm and a leg. They were all purchased at a very reasonable price.
That's very fortunate! The only 2 notes I paid a bit too much for are my NZ solid & the St Pierre & Miquelon notes. Not break the bank expensive but I got sucked into “bidding madness” a little. But in the end I was happy to get both & I felt pretty pleased to get the sister binary note.
The Columbian 5000 pesos was the most expensive ungraded radar (about $12 USD) I bought b/c the eBay seller refused to combine shipping. The rest were about $5 to $10 each. About 5 years ago I just put in a “Radar” search on eBay & came up with a lot of those which might have been about double what they would have been for a regular (non radar) serial number. I also bought 2 or 3 from one seller keeping my shipping costs down. I have searched tens of thousands of Canadian banknotes & rarely found a radar so I actually understand how hard these are to come by. The CDN radars I've posted cost me FV but I have bought a few too b/c I know how tough they are to source.
A good collector friend of mine does not care about special serial numbers. That's okay- he can collect what he wants! There will always be collectors who won't care about signature varieties, errors, special serial numbers, etc. When I started collecting I had no special numbers & they weren't even on “my radar” (few were seen & only a few were offered back then). I'm not surprised they've become popular though.
Here's another radar picked up from Allens Coins of Ohio for a dollar or 2 more than a regular NZ serial numbered note:
I submitted it to PMG & it got GEM UNC 66 EPQ! Although this is gradually changing, I still believe that most US collectors don't care that much for world currency (they prefer US notes) but many US dealers have a LOT of world currency so it can be picked up fairly cheaply.
They're are very sweet special numbers too! I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to have those notes. I like those Malaysian radars b/c they seem low number (like my 0008000). To have a few zeros on the left & right border digits is kind of cool. There's no added premium on my Charlton tables for the book values but I've seen thousand 2 digit radars (like my 0002000) go for bigger premiums than a regular 2 digit radar (say 8555558).
Nice one. The 0008000 and 0002000 are very nice radars. It is not just cool, but it is also unique. As I said before, getting a 7-digit radar is always harder than those with 6 s/n. It's better than my 200002 in my opinion. I believe the 0008000 would fetch a very good price to collectors in East Asia. There are many crazy collectors in that part of the world, including in Malaysia and Singapore. The closed of such radars I have are the two Scottish notes with s/n 001000, but both are missing a zero in front 🙄.
ahkai - about the St Helena £10 - the 4 signatures on 1 note, is that the highest number ever on a single note?
Hi BluHawk,
I am not sure what you meant by that. I believe the s/n for this series, started with P/1 400001 to perhaps P/1 500000 (or even mote). I can see one right now on eBay (UK) for sale with the s/n with P/1 495xxx, and one from Toronto (circulated) with s/n P1 457xxx. I got this note within the first few weeks of it been issued. Previous issue were printed with P/1 3xxxxx, but I have no info to say how many pieces were printed. As you know, and like the Falkland Islands, due to a very small population (less than 7,000 in St Helena), every reprint of banknotes are usually restricted to say 50000 to 100000 pieces, depending on the denominations. They might print more for lower value of notes ie like £1 (no longer issued) and £5 (??). Besides this, I understand that English pounds are also acceptable on the island too, and as such, there is no need to print so much unless there are demands for it.
I just found another radar note on sale and I have requested the seller to hold it for me. I hope this is still available. This one is just a normal radar, not a fancy note. It would be nice if it was 0008000 🤣. p/s… I am a dreamer!!
sorry ahkai - I meant the number of signatories on a banknote. The St. Helena note had signatures of 4 Currency Commissioners. Normally 1 or 2 people sign on a banknote. Never seen 4
sorry ahkai - I meant the number of signatories on a banknote. The St. Helena note had signatures of 4 Currency Commissioners. Normally 1 or 2 people sign on a banknote. Never seen 4
Yes, I believe so far, the most is 4 signatures. Some older notes have 3 (P9). I wonder if they are also all St Helenians living on the island too? Imagine seeing them everyday on the street - Good morning Andy, good morning PJ, Good morning Tony…… 😁
Thanks guys! I have more than a few solid radars from my wife’s homeland (before she emigrated to Canada). They’re very inexpensive too, about 5 graded CU (to Gem UNC) or 9 ungraded UNC new 20 Pesos solid radars for a little over $100. To grade them probably costs more than if you can win them from an online auction. The 50 & 100 Pesos solid radars are a bit more expensive-but not that much.
Here's a new 3 digit radar (P-137c 100 Baht) I won recently from Thailand:
Only 20 prefixes were used with this signature set making it a not too common note for Thailand. The signature on the left is Preedee Daochai who only held the job for 26 days. The 20-baht notes with this signature were made in even smaller numbers. A good note to have if you are into the different signature varieties.
Here's a new 3 digit radar (P-137c 100 Baht) I won recently from Thailand:
Only 20 prefixes were used with this signature set making it a not too common note for Thailand. The signature on the left is Preedee Daochai who only held the job for 26 days. The 20-baht notes with this signature were made in even smaller numbers. A good note to have if you are into the different signature varieties.
In the week I’ve been in Thailand, I have not seen 1 of those signatures so I’m pretty happy I won that note. I’m looking for it on the 20 Baht too but haven’t seen it. Thanks for the info on the # of prefixes blue-m!
A 2 digit radar, P-136b, 50 Baht from Thailand (current 2018 issue) first signature:
This serial number is one that many Thai people would love to have. The number 5 in Thai is ha so you have hahahahaha in the center making it a very “funny” note.
This serial number is one that many Thai people would love to have. The number 5 in Thai is ha so you have hahahahaha in the center making it a very “funny” note.
A 2 digit radar, P-136b, 50 Baht from Thailand (current 2018 issue) first signature:
This serial number is one that many Thai people would love to have. The number 5 in Thai is ha so you have hahahahaha in the center making it a very “funny” note.
Serial_Number_8 - you have some cool numbers in your collection.
The colours on this note are cool & vibrant.
Yes, it is one of those notes you have to see in person (doesn't scan well). The green from the northern lights (on the reverse) & parliament library window (front) are really striking. Also the holographic window is another cool feature that shows multiple colours.
Only 50,000,000 of 2017 $10 notes were released with the last (CDF) 6th prefix short (around 3M). I examined about a brick & a half (1,500 notes) before I got my first special serial number (a repeater) since the numbers jumped all over the place (many gaps/missing runs) which didn't help finding a radar or repeater. I was thrilled to find those 2 & snagged a few others.
I just received the Ukraine 20 Hvyen We Will Never Forget 2022 note, and one of the notes has the serial nos of 3C 0027027. Hmmmm…. so close, yet, no way near it. Now, where is my liquid paper, maybe I can make the first zero disappear…right? 😅
I have come across a few like these and never considered keeping them.
From now on I will.
People like to give them all kinds of names just to make our collection more interesting. All serial numbers are unique, but some are more eyes pleasing than others. I am not sure if these half solids would worth more than others, and if so by how much.
This is the one and only solid note for this commemorative series. This is a Fiji $2000 millennium commemorative note issued in the year 2000. Only 2000 pieces printed and I believe the #1 note and the #2000 note were presented to VIPs. Since I am only (a) P, so this the the second best I can get. Some of these note were issued in a wooden presentation box. Again, I do not have that box.
I wonder who has the note #1234 or #0123. Note #0004 is in a collector's hand in the USA, I believe.
Maybe I should call my note as a miniature solid note 😀
This is my one and only Haiti tyvek repeater I have. The M prefix note is the most common among the series for the 2 gourde. I believe only 10 prefixes issued from K to T (no O prefix).
This note is a repeater but if you turn it upside down, what do you see? It's a pity that this is a circulated note. It would be nice if it was in UNC condition.
Australia $50 nd2005
@Serial_Number_8 - apology for posting unrelated topics here 😀
PS… I do not like to post my note here full size as I am aware that some one downloaded my scans and tried to scam some one with my images. Also saw a dealer using my images on eBay too, without my knowledge.
PS… I do not like to post my note here full size as I am aware that some one downloaded my scans and tried to scam some one with my images. Also saw a dealer using my images on eBay too, without my knowledge.
Very nice radar akai. I am sorry you've had your images used for unsavoury purposes.
Is radar number the best pattern among the fancy numbers?
Special # can also be:
Low serial number (below 1000 minor premium; below 100 better premium & below 10 best premium) eg: 0000001
Million # notes (10 or 100M for larger SN) such as 1000000, 5000000, etc
Ladders: (a 1 digit step up or step-down) such as 1234567 or 7654321 but could also be 9876543* (some collectors only want ladders that begin or end in 1)
Rotators: # which look the same once the bill has been rotated upside down (with digits 0,8,6 & 9) rg: 9008006, 9600096, or
combos (rotator radars) like 0880880
And radars also have a “pecking order”
solid radars (eg 7777777)
combo radars such as ladder radars 1234321 or rotator radars 0088800
2 digit radars: 6969696
3 & 4 digit radars
The less desired special numbers (at least from what I can tell) tend to be the repeaters, 2 digit binary # (0 & 1) and birth year (0001966) or birthdate # (which are specific to each collector & surprisingly tough to find!)
Those are the patterns that I can think of at the moment (there may be more) & that’s the general principal for what people seem to desire but I have to add that the “new kids on the block” special # such as rotators or repeaters don’t really get the same respect as the older specials (low #, etc) & some digits (like 8 & 0) are definitely more attractive to some. For example, I have rarely seen 1000 # notes for auction in Canada & when I do these 2 digit radars command a much higher premium than regular 2 digit radars (eg: 0002000; 0009000).
Remember that not all solid notes are expensive. Lately, some Chinese notes are available in the market and I got this for less than $10. It appears that they have deliberately removed from the bundle and sell them to collectors. Of course the prefix (C750P) is not unique, but it is still considered a miniature solid note to me.
Remember that not all solid notes are expensive. Lately, some Chinese notes are available in the market and I got this for less than $10. It appears that they have deliberately removed from the bundle and sell them to collectors. Of course the prefix (C750P) is not unique, but it is still considered a miniature solid note to me.
-Yes, I saw these at the same time I was buying up some world radars. Nice addition @ahkai
All the World radars (2-3 digit radars) were between $6 - $10 USD but I was happy to get them as I hadn't seen any listed for a while & then suddenly a few popped up (some years ago). The problem (I found) was that some sellers were inflexible with the shipping (& would not combine shipping for a purchase of 3 radars- for example).
The solids from the Philippines were about $10 - $20 each. The problem was that the lower the price the more likely the note was AU (with issues) whereas the more expensive notes (usually bought in lots of 10) were choice to gem UNC. So I soon switched to the more expensive notes which came from a seller from Singapore.
I had a few graded at 66 & a ladder that came at 68. (The way I look at it: “you get what you pay for.”)
