1954 $100 Devil Head

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Hi... I came across this 1954 $100 bill, which I believe is a Devil Head.  It is in great shape... I would think it would be graded AU, based on what I've read for grading standards, but I'm no professional, or even amateur for that matter.  It appears to have had a planchet peeled off right in the devil face area.  I'm wondering what it would be worth, as I plan on selling it.  Thanks for any help in advance! 

Debbie

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{http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/209/devilhead0161.jpg:http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/209/devilhead0161.th.jpg} {http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6959/devilhead0171.jpg:http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6959/devilhead0171.th.jpg} {http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/4281/devilhead0191.jpg:http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/4281/devilhead0191.th.jpg}

This is a very nice note, yes it is a devils face, and looks like an EF to perhaps AU.
 Its valued around $300-650. You should have no problem finding a buyer as these notes are fairly scarce.

Hope this helps

I think the note would grade a VF + because of the 2 heavy creases.  It's still a nice note and I'm sure someone would be interested in it.

Good luck,
Dean

Thank you JB and Dean. 

They actually aren't heavy creases when you see the note in person.  I would more call them folds.  There is no sign of folding in the middle part of the note, so it doesn't appear that it was ever folded in half at any time.  This is what I read on banknotes.com for grading a VF...

"VERY FINE (VF): 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 colour smudging. Paper itself is still relatively crisp and floppy. There are no tears into the border area, although the edges do show slight wear. Corners also show wear but not full rounding." 

And then when I read grading standards at PCGS, it looks more like it would fall into one of these categories...

Choice About New 58
A Choice About New 58 note will typically appear to be a Choice New or better note, with one or two light corner bends or folds that reach into the design of the note. A light vertical bend down the middle of an otherwise Choice New or better note would also qualify a note for this grade.

Choice About New 55
A note in this grade will appear New at first glance, but will have a bent corner or light vertical center fold that will keep it from an uncirculated grade. Two light vertical bends are acceptable for this grade, as long as the surface of the paper is not broken. More than one light fold or a heavy fold or crease will drop the note into a lower grade.

About New 53
"53 is an intermediate grade used for notes that are above average for the "50" grade but that don't quite reach the "55" grade. Such a note might have one slightly heavier fold or crease but with all the other qualities of an uncirculated note, or it might have a combination of light bends or corner folds that keeps it from a higher About New grade.

About New 50
An About New 50 note will display one or more light folds that are not heavy in nature or that do not detract from the overall appearance, two or three very light vertical bends if they do not break the surface of the paper, or one heavy fold or crease. Two heavy folds or creases will drop the note to a lower grade level.

I'm thinking I should consider sending it away for professional grading, but never having done that before, I am a little apprehensive, and not really sure of the cost or process.

Honestly, I will grade it not better than EF.  My points base on the heavy vertical fold, plus the creases and smudge at the back of the note.  It's common that I saw a lot of 1954 DF notes with smudge at the back and front.  When I add all this up, that's why it is no better than EF (means I support Dean's grading).

Anyway, it is a nice note ....