Value of radar

News: Welcome to the Canadian Paper Money Forum.

First, I don't know if this should be in the "Charlton update" section or here but here it goes:

I think there is an error in the value of radar note in the catalogue. At page 299, it is stated that they are talking about premium. Well I think that at some point they must be talking about the entire value of radar note (for the $50 and $100).
Here are some examples:

[spreadsheet]Serie°Demon.°Serial°Cond.°Book value°Premium°Total value
°°°°°°
1969-1975°$2°BA1225221°UNC°$16.00°$18.00°$34.00
°°°°°°
1969-1975°$5°CA1225221°UNC°$50.00°$45.00°$95.00
°°°°°°
1969-1975°$10°DA1225221°UNC°$75.00°$50.00°$125.00
°°°°°°
Birds°$20°AYA1225221°UNC°$25.00°$35.00°$60.00
°°°°°°
Birds°$100°BJS1225221°UNC°$130.00°$140.00°$270.00
°°°°°°
Journ°$5°HNM1225221°UNC°$7.00°$20.00°$27.00
°°°°°°
Journ°$100°BJY1225221°UNC°$120.00°$140.00°$260.00
°°°°°°
[/spreadsheet]

In the case of the Birds $100 and the Journey $100 I think the value of the premium shown at page 302 should be $40. If you look at eBay auction, the Journey $100 3 digits radar are selling for $140 max.

I included in my spreadsheet 3 examples from the 1969-1975 serie to show that the catalogue is clearly talking about premium since the number(premium) is lower than the value of a regular note.

I hope I was clear in my example and that someone can explain to me if I'm missing something or if it's a mistake in the catalogue.

Martin.

The problem really stems from the fact that the catalogue attempts to give a general indication of value for an issue, without accounting for more valuable signatures and other factors.  In each case the price is for the cheapest signatures (page 299 again).  Your hypothetical BC-48a radar came in at $45, less than catalogue for an ordinary note - but the commonest type is BC-48b, at $40, thus the radar is catalogued at $5 higher.  The old method of premium pricing was abandoned a few editions ago because it was not well enough understood.  Some "premium" references have persisted, which should be expunged shortly.

Thanks a lot Bob, that makes more sense.