Introduction:
It was a pleasure to participate in the Midland Coin Fair on Sunday, 9th June. The event was held at the National Motorcycle Museum, conveniently located near Birmingham’s NEC. The venue was bustling with both dealers and banknote collectors, creating a lively atmosphere where numerous great deals were made. This was my first fair of the year as a dealer, and the enthusiasm from banknote collectors for the British notes I had on display was evident from the start.
Operation Bernhard Notes:
One of the highlights was the sale of 16 Operation Bernhard notes, which included both £5 and £10 denominations. Over the past few years, the demand among collectors for these historical notes has surged, making it increasingly challenging to maintain an adequate stock. It was encouraging to see this trend continue at the fair.
King Charles III & Queen Elizabeth II Notes
I was also delighted to see a couple of my regular banknote collectors. One is an avid collector of error notes and was quick to purchase a set-off error note for his collection. This collector has a keen eye for rare misprints and variations, which are increasingly popular among niche collectors. The other buyer was on the lookout for low serial-numbered King Charles III notes. Although these notes were released on 5th June and I hadn’t had any stock at the time of the fair, I am now pleased to have a few double-digit King Charles III notes available on my website.
There was significant interest from banknote collectors in other rare notes as well. Some of my notable sales included historic white banknotes and low-numbered Queen Elizabeth II notes from the historical figures range. The historical significance and rarity of these notes make them highly sought after by collectors who appreciate the artistry and heritage they represent.
Meeting other Collectors
Meeting fellow enthusiasts and banknote collectors like Chris Burch from Absolutely Coins and Banknotes, and Pam West from British Notes, was another highlight. Engaging in discussions with other contributors from the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) added to the overall enriching experience. One particularly interesting debate was about slabbed notes. While I appreciate the security that graded, slabbed notes offer-especially for my overseas buyers and collectors who prefer the assurance provided by grading services like PMG-I am also mindful of the potential long-term effects of using plastic for slabbing.
As always, I had the opportunity to buy some notes from private sellers who brought their collections to me. It was fascinating to see the variety of notes that collectors brought, each with its own story and history. I am thankful for their contributions and would like to invite anyone interested in selling their notes to reach out through my website. I regularly update my site with new items, so do check in often to see what’s new.
What’s Next?!
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that I will be back at the Midland Coin Fair on 8th December 2024. This end-of-year event promises to be a significant one, with many collectors and dealers expected to attend. I am looking forward to another fantastic day of trading, meeting fellow banknote collectors, and expanding my collection with new acquisitions.
For more information about the fair, please visit Midland Coin Fair.
