Thousands of people worldwide collect paper money. Since so many different kinds of paper money have been issued around the world, collecting styles tend to be individualistic, with hobbyists following their own interests and predilections rather than any standardized method of building a collection. One area a potential hobbyist could concentrate on is US paper money that is no longer in circulation. One example of older US currency is large size US notes. Large size US notes were issued between 1862 and 1923. They come in a range of denominations. Another type of old paper money that can be collected is US national bank notes. These are notes issued by over 14,000 local banks chartered by the US government during the years 1863 and 1935. Collecting "Nationals," as they are sometimes called, is perhaps the most popular form of collecting paper money in the US. Another type of collecting involves fractional currency. In the mid 1800s, due to a shortage of coins, paper money was issued in the US in denominations of less than one dollar. Colonial paper money and Confederate notes are also fairly popular, and offer fascinating glimpses into the history of America. Silver and gold certificates represent another avenue into the world of currency collection. Although it is not necessary to build a paper money collection around a theme, an era, or even a country of issue, deciding on some sort of organizing approach will help the new collector decide what kinds of paper money to invest in.
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