MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A huge and impressive collection of 200 uncut sheets of obsolete banknotes (with 2-4 uncut notes per sheet) will be among the many educational exhibits displayed at this year's International Paper Money Show, slated for June 19-21 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. It is believed to be the largest group of uncut obsolete banknotes ever put on display.

The banknotes, dating from the last half of the 19th century, will take up 70 of the nearly 200 display cases at the 39th annual IPMS show – more than one-third the total . Obsoletes are rare and highly collectible banknotes. Prior to the Civil War, no paper currency was issued by the United States government. Obsolete (or “Broken Bank”) notes were visually arresting, locally issued notes, often produced by different banks, companies, merchants or local municipalities.

The free educational speakers series will kick off on Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m., with special guest speakers every hour from start to finish Friday and Saturday. Each year the top currency and currency-related researchers converge in Memphis to preview their latest findings before the most active people in the hobby. Most of the material presented is new, fresh and unpublished.

The speakers' presentations are lavishly illustrated, which allows attendees to see far more visuals than possible in publications. And, as with any interactive forum, the speakers provide perspectives, insights and opinions that go far beyond what can be conveyed in print or catalogs.

The speakers series will kick off on Friday morning at 10 a.m. with Henry Simmons, who will discuss collecting Confederate States of America bonds, which are historically significant and multi-faceted but often undervalued as collectibles. At 11 a.m., Steve Carr will deliver a talk titled “Chaos and Pandemonium.” Three not-so-typical banknotes from Kansas will be profiled.

At noon on Friday, Ray Feller and David Frank will discuss great new discoveries of Camp Hay Australian currency. Camp Hay was an Allied camp; the well-designed notes were designed by inmates and printed by the local newspaper. At 1 p.m., Neil Shafer will discourse on food stamps and coupons (1939-1943, 1961-2009) – a fast-growing, niche market in American numismatics.

At 2 p.m. Roger Urce and Howard Daniel will deliver a talk titled “China’s Post-War Military Currency For Indochina,” featuring Chinese custom gold unit notes. Wrapping up the day’s lineup, at 3 p.m., will be Jamie Yates, who will speak to collectors of 1914 Federal Reserve Notes, to make sure they’re aware of the different face plate styles and why that’s important.

On Saturday, June 20, the day begins at 10 a.m. with Stane Straus, who will talk about polymer banknotes and the future of currency. Countries are converting to polymer banknotes due to their durability, security and cleanliness. At 11 a.m., Joseph Boling will expose “The Cheshire Faker,” the eBay seller from England who littered the market with fraudulent notes for nearly four years.

At 12 noon Jamie Yates returns for a curtain call with a talk titled “Serial 100,000,000 Federal Currency. “The numismatic literature is often unclear regarding these notes; Jamie will attempt to rectify that. Then, at 1 p.m., Carlson Chambliss will expound on Series 1900 gold certificates and other ultra-high large note sizes, like the $5,000 and $10,000 3-Year 1861 Civil War notes.

At 2 p.m., Benny Bolin will discuss the untold true story of Benny Bolin, the first BEP Director who put his portrait on the 5c third issue fractional note and has been maligned ever since. The speakers’ series concludes at 3 o’clock, when Peter Huntoon takes the podium to talk about Col. Green (1868-1936), the inheritor of a vast fortune and America’s most extravagant collector.

The International Paper Money Show (IPMS) has been an annual numismatic event since 1977, always held in June and always in Memphis (called by some the Paper Money Capital of the World). The show has nearly 200 vendors, buying and selling paper money from many countries, plus the 200 cases of educational exhibits offering excellent materials and historical background.

Experts in many fields will be on hand, to offer appraisals and opinions on coins, paper money, postcards and related topics, such as Confederate history and the Civil War. The show boasts the largest display of U.S. and worldwide banknotes in America. “As we like to say, if you want to talk paper money, you have to come to Memphis,” said Doug Davis, Bourse Show Chairman.

Displays from around the world will be on view in the new layout of the West Hall inside the Convention Center. The nearly 200-table paper money bourse is by far the nation’s largest. The speakers’ series is a big annual draw, and a three-day auction will be conducted by Lyn Knight Currency Auctions, based in Overland Park, Kan.

Highlighting the auction portion will be the Dave Rickey Collection of U.S. large-size star notes, with nearly a complete collection, to include the Fr. 123 and $10 Fr. 303 unique star, and 9 out of 16 $100 FRN stars knows; and the Barry Jaffee Collection of worldwide banknotes, an extensive grouping from across the globe that contains examples from the majority of countries worldwide.

Also auctioned will be the Cleveland Collection, featuring a Fr. 1133d $1000 1914 FRN graded Gem CU 65 PPQ PCGS, and a Fr. 167a $100 Spread Eagle Ch. New 63 PCGS, and a Fr. 2003d 1928-C FRN $10 Gem New 65 PPQ. Also included will be a beautiful collection of large-size type notes, a wonderful group of Red Seal 1914 FRNs and a nice selection of Cleveland material.

National bank notes will be highlighted by a pair of Montana Territorials: $5 1875 notes from Fort Benton and Miles City. Also sold will be a collection of nearly 30 different Wyoming large-size notes, including a $10 First Charter Territorial from Cheyenne and a collection of Wyoming charters; and the Palpitant Collection of French banknotes, including early high-grade pastels.

Regular show hours are 9-5 on Friday and Saturday and 9-3 on Sunday. The show is also open to dealers and early bird badge holders on Thursday at noon. Early bird badges cost $75 and public admission is $7 a day per person ($5 off with coupon, available at www.memphisipms.com). A family show pass is also available for $20 for the entire weekend. The $5 off coupon is applicable to the family pass as well.

The Cook Convention Center is located at 255 North Main Street in Memphis. The show is being held in the West Hall. If driving, take I-240 north to I-40 west to exit 1-A at 2nd Street. For hotel accommodations, the Spring Hill Suites (at 83 Court Avenue in Memphis) is offering a block of discount room rates for IPMS guests. The Memphis Sheraton Downtown is completely booked.

Prior to 1977, the only show that was of interest to currency dealers and collectors was the annual ANA (American Numismatic Association) convention. But that event was expensive to attend, and was really designed by and for coin collectors. The paper money crowd had little else, until the IPMS (now known simply and affectionately as “Memphis”) came along in 1977.

“Memphis” was different from the start, with dealers bringing special material that would keep collectors excited for weeks preceding the event and well into the summer afterward. Now, each year, the biggest and the best currency collectors make the trek to Memphis to share their passion for paper money and enjoy the educational events, the meetings, the SPMC breakfast, the bourse floor, the auctions, the exhibits, the camaraderie and, of course, the point of it all, the banknotes.

The International Paper Money Show is owned and managed by LFK Tradeshows, based in Overland Park, Kan. For information about the 2015 International Paper Money Show, you may call Doug Davis, IPMS Bourse Show Chairman, at (817) 723-7231; or, you can send him an e-mail at Doug@MemphisIPMS.com. For more information, and a $5 off admission coupon, please visit www.MemphisIPMS.com.

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