Do bank notes improve with age like fine wine ??

News: Welcome to the Canadian Paper Money Forum.

I have sometimes wondered whether Canadian paper money improves with age like a fine wine.

In researching notes for the many registries on the Wiki site, I have come across numerous rare notes
that have changed hands several times at public auctions.  These notes can be accurately identified by
their unique serial numbers.  It is amazing how a note that originally graded VF at a public auction in the
1990s is now showing up as an EF in a current public auction.

Are these small improvements in a bank note's grade dependant on time ?  Does it take 10+ years for a
note to improve by one grade or can this happen over a shorter time period ?  Will all my AU notes be
UNC in 10 years or does it take longer ?

Well I am happy to report that this can happen in less time than most of us could ever hope for.  The following
note was sold just over 1 month ago as an AU by a prominent forum member and expert grader:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190123546662

Through the miracle of time and the principles of "Spontaneous Numismatic Grade Improvement" this same
note has transformed into an UNC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250150113795

This phenomena has raised hope for all the AU notes that are currently languishing in my collection. 

"Caveat Emptor"

...Arthur

I heard people "restore" paper fibers by heating them through a laser printer. I occasionally do it on lower-value banknotes. It doesn't work on folds and creases but on small ripples it works fine. Also works on my homework every time.   

I wouldn't try it on Journey notes. It will kill the tactile feature and damage the holographic stripe.

Better watch out...that note might be pressed through a laser printer.

The following note was sold just over 1 month ago as an AU by a prominent forum member and expert grader:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190123546662

Through the miracle of time and the principles of "Spontaneous Numismatic Grade Improvement" this same note has transformed into an UNC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250150113795

I don't think this is really surprising. After all, the note in question was graded as AU when it was listed on eBay on June 13 but that was about 7 weeks ago ..... before the new Charlton catalogue came out. However, under the new Charlton grading rules it could legitimately be an UNC-60 now.

Surprisingly the grade of the note in the active auction now on eBay has now reverted to AU++ from
its previously stated UNC grade.  This has only happened since this post was started this afternoon.

It appears that this note is suffering from a "multiple grading disorder".

Even a fine wine will turn to vinegar in time.

BTW....There is no reason for the eBay links to be removed as these posts are not serving to market
a note for personal gain but to inform prospective buyers of the note's history.

Don't worry.  Brent always did like you best

Spoken like a true ringleader   

I have always found many dealers and collectors be much more lenient on the grade of a very old and scarce note then a recent note.

I would even argue that some third party graders have this mentality!

Overall I cannot see them get any better from the day they are printed. There is just something about an old note that makes me like them much better.

Canada-Banknote, I meant to compliment you on the note pictured in your signature. That picture would be the only time I have seen this note in issued form.

If this is one of the notes in your collection than I am truly impressed