One of the most common 
hobbies is collecting money. 
Many people have enjoyed 
this activity for decades and 
money collecting is thriving 
even today. As a hobby, 
collecting money means
collecting old money. 
Otherwise, we are all trying 
to collect money before the 
bills come. However, do you 
know how many people collect 
old money, antique notes and 
coins from previous
decades and even centuries?

Coin collectors are much more common than old money collectors
of the paper variety, though the latter are still quite active
and manage to find some rare items occasionally. That paper
variety may include pre US colonial currency, money from the
beginning of the 19th century, currency from the Confederate
States of America and also some souvenir cards of old money as
the money itself are almost impossible to find and twice as hard
to purchase.

If you are keen on collecting old money you will probably know
that a collector's item of old money is called fractional
currency. I was really intrigued when I learnt that during the
Civil War the United States began printing 50 cents, 25 cents,
15 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents paper money as they run short on
change. Now such weird banknotes are highly desired by any true
collector.

There is also other interesting fractional currency which is
much sought after. These are private banknotes from the 1800s.
Before the US government created a national banknote there were
some banks issuing their own money without government backing.
However, it was not long before these banks were closed down and
the banknotes were counterfeited and altered.

Once the national bank system was established, privately issued
bank money was declared to be illegal. Ever since US government
money was issued it has retained monetary value. However, it is
not the same case with the obsolete old bills from closed banks
and this is the prime reason why these banknotes are worth
finding. Actually private banknotes from the 1800s have remained
an interesting item for collectors throughout the centuries.

It is pretty evident that a lot of old money has significant
value nowadays. It is true that casual collectors cannot afford
to have any authentic old money and notes from the 1800s and
early 1900s as their value and consequently price are too high.
That's how collecting souvenir cards are becoming more and more
popular. Having them you can collect a piece of history without
actually paying a high price for it.

If you are wondering where you can find old money, you probably
won't like my answer. It is really difficult to find old money.
Of course, you might still be able to collect a Thomas Jefferson
two dollar bill, but those antique coins and notes you are
seeking won't be easily found, nor purchased. The easiest way to
satisfy your desire to collect old money is through dealers,
collectors, auctions and old money paper shows.

You might also find the International Bank Note Society's
Journal and webpage not only very interesting but useful, as
well. They offer contact information for trades and auctions and
what is the best, they provide you with images of old currency
on their website. In conclusion, old money collecting is a
unique and fun hobby. It has its challenges but it there is no
doubt it is worth taking.