What is a Pick Number?

Pick number refers to Albert Pick, author of the world paper money book on general issues. Nearly everyone who deals in world paper uses this system for identifying notes. Every note within a country has a number associated with it, often shown in the form "P-34" for general issues and "P-S34" for specialized issues (volume 1). Since every country has the same numbers, a note is identified by country and Pick number. For example, USA P-480 is your garden-variety series 1988 1-dollar bill.

Paper money has both a market value and a personal value. These two things are very different. There are big time dealers who keep a note from circulation just because it has an interesting serial number or for other sentimental reasons. Don't let "market" forces blur the real meaning of being a collector.