It's the story of a small piece of paper that no one really looks at. The €5 note, the most discreet, the most used—and yet, certain rare or error-ridden models can drive collectors crazy.
"A note with a serial number composed entirely of the number 1, like SC1111111111, was recently valued at €5,000," explains a numismatic specialist. A spectacular gain for a piece of paper money that could have been exchanged for a simple sandwich.
What makes the value soar?
You don't need to be an expert to take a look at your notes. Some clues may ring a bell:
- Exceptional serial numbers: repetitive, palindromes, or in sequence (e.g., 1234567890);
- Printing errors: a missing signature, misaligned ink, a shift, a strange tint—all defects that, paradoxically, increase the value;
- Rare signatures: some banknotes bear the signatures of former ECB presidents, such as Wim Duisenberg, who are now highly sought after;
- Rare printing codes: each banknote bears a small code that indicates its printing location. Some mints only produced very small series.
And the condition of the banknote? Obviously, a perfect banknote will be much more valuable than a crumpled or torn one.
But in the small world of numismatics, some banknotes reach dizzying heights. While the famous 5-euro note with serial number SC11111111111 made headlines at €5,000, that's nothing compared to other European specimens. Some 100- or 200-euro notes with extremely rare printing errors have fetched over €10,000 at specialized auctions. But records are often broken by notes from the older series, known as the "2002 series," whose production was more heterogeneous. A 100-euro note signed by Wim Duisenberg with an alignment error recently exceeded €15,000 on the collectors' market. As is often the case, the older, rarer, and more pristine the note, the more its value skyrockets.
How do you know if your note is worth its weight in gold?
Take a few minutes to inspect the notes you have on hand. You'll find the serial number on the back, and the ECB President's signature on the front.
Active collector groups on the internet (forums, social networks, specialized sites) can help you assess its rarity. But for a reliable appraisal, it's best to go through a numismatic professional.
If you come across a rare banknote, you have several options: keep it as an investment, have it certified by an expert, or try reselling it. From online auctions to specialized platforms, collectors are ready to pay the price!
0 Comments