-Most CDN & US collectors I know consider numbers below 1000 as low serial numbers (for 7 & 8 digit serial numbers). Not all low numbers are considered equal. Like a 3 digit low serial # 0000999, # 0000987 or similar # would be slightly more desirable than 0000589.
The same principle should apply to 2 digit low #. (Prefixes or Block Letters would also factor in so that first prefixes would have the typical first prefix premium).
Single digit low # are the most sought after but more collectors may chase a 0000008 than a 0000004.
The notes in the folder had prefix W/1. The low numbers referred to are essentially the number of folders that were produced. I’ve never chased down what that number is but can’t imagine it’s much more 1000. If anyone has definitive information about that, it would be good to post here.
Should be more than 5000++ sets issued (maybe 10,000 sets). I have the matching set of 005344, and is not even considered as low nos, imo.
Update
My records are not too clear. I understand that they were selling them in full set in a single folder, and also in individual folder too. I also have set nos 5345 matching nos, and one set in difference s/n. Not sure why, but somehow my stupidity has no boundary😀
Official selling price for the full set folder was 7500 rupees per set and at that time, it was just over US$67 per set. Today 7500 rupees is only worth around US$23.
I agree with Serial_Number_8 that the first 1000 notes should only be considered as low numbers. For a 6-digit numbers print, this only represents 0.01% of the total notes, and I would consider them as low for the first prefix. Any subsequent prefixes unless it;s the first 10 notes, to me, should not command the same premium as the first 1000 notes. I also agree with Serial_Number_8 that not all notes from the first brick command the same premium too. Apart from the first 10 notes, I also like those half solids (000111 to 000999), 000123. Note #000088 and 000888 are forever popular, and I also like notes with #001000.
Serial numbers like these maybe low (ignore the prefix), but for normal notes, I would not pay a high premium for it. This is just my opinion, as every collector has their own preferences.
I know that Cayman Islands, Singapore (& now Sri Lanka & Samoa) change the prefix (denominator) & continue with their print run. I'm sure there are other countries which do this. If collectors know the end points of one year, then, perhaps, they'll pay a slight premium for a note which begins the new series, like the ones akhai has attached for Samoa. I would expect that the notes in question are in UNC condition. Most special # collectors I know are particular about the condition of their notes & flatly reject EF or lower (&. sometimes AU even).
Here's the 2nd note from a signature change-over with the Coyne Towers signature (first 4,000,000 were Gordon Towers) which I paid a premium for (sucks as the note wasn't UNC as advertised either but pressed):
I also like those half solids (000111 to 000999), 000123. Note #000088 and 000888 are forever popular, and I also like notes with #001000.
You're not alone. These are also consider “fancy” or special, particularly US collectors who call them 2 of a kind (I believe). We have 7 digits for our notes so we also like a pattern such as 1110222, 4440888, or there abouts, etc.
0001000, 0002000, etc up to 0009000 are considered “low” 2 digit serials & command significant premium over a regular 2 digit radar (here).
I know that Cayman Islands, Singapore (& now Sri Lanka & Samoa) change the prefix (denominator) & continue with their print run. I'm sure there are other countries which do this. If collectors know the end points of one year, then, perhaps, they'll pay a slight premium for a note which begins the new series, like the ones akhai has attached for Samoa. I would expect that the notes in question are in UNC condition. Most special # collectors I know are particular about the condition of their notes & flatly reject EF or lower (&. sometimes AU even).
Here's the 2nd note from a signature change-over with the Coyne Towers signature (first 2,000,000 were Gordon Towers) which I paid a premium for (sucks as the note wasn't UNC as advertised either but pressed):
That C$2 is still a very nice note. It is always eyes pleasing to see all zeros in between the numbers.
That C$2 is still a very nice note. It is always eyes pleasing to see all zeros in between the numbers.
Thanks! Yes, lots of 0's attracts many collectors. Now all I have to find is the earlier side of the change over, the Gordon Towers ZB2000004 note for a cool set!
Edited 09/26/2023:
Note my earlier post was incorrect: I just realized that I wrote earlier that the first 2,000,000 were Gordon Towers when it was, in fact, the first 4,000,000 notes with the G-T signature. 4000001 would have been the first Coyne Towers note (just to clarify).
I know that Cayman Islands, Singapore (& now Sri Lanka & Samoa) change the prefix (denominator) & continue with their print run. I'm sure there are other countries which do this. If collectors know the end points of one year, then, perhaps, they'll pay a slight premium for a note which begins the new series, like the ones akhai has attached for Samoa. I would expect that the notes in question are in UNC condition. Most special # collectors I know are particular about the condition of their notes & flatly reject EF or lower (&. sometimes AU even).
Here's the 2nd note from a signature change-over with the Coyne Towers signature (first 4,000,000 were Gordon Towers) which I paid a premium for (sucks as the note wasn't UNC as advertised either but pressed):
Super!
I wouldn't worry too much about the grade on a number 000002.
Here is my No 000001 of the Bank of Ireland 1922 series
I guess number 1 of any prefix is a highly desirable find! The real trick is to get it in UNC.
I have several, and they are all slightly off in one way or another. First, they tend to be on the top of a block of notes, which might lead them to becoming slightly damaged. The extraction process whereby they make their way from that block into the hands of a collector is full of possible hazards in terms of their eventual grade when they reach the album.
I will bring this number 1 Bank of Ireland note to the Dublin Fair in February.
I guess number 1 of any prefix is a highly desirable find! The real trick is to get it in UNC.
I have several, and they are all slightly off in one way or another. First, they tend to be on the top of a block of notes, which might lead them to becoming slightly damaged. The extraction process whereby they make their way from that block into the hands of a collector is full of possible hazards in terms of their eventual grade when they reach the album.
I will bring this number 1 Bank of Ireland note to the Dublin Fair in February.
