Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It is completely legal to buy, own, and sell foreign banknotes in the United States and most countries around the world. Collectible banknotes, including demonetized notes from Zimbabwe, Venezuela, and other nations, are widely collected as historical and numismatic items. Zimbabwe officially suspended its dollar in April 2009, and the Trillion-series notes are no longer used as legal tender. They are actively bought and sold by collectors globally, much like stamps or antique coins, and have developed a strong and growing secondary market.

UNC stands for Uncirculated. It is the highest condition grade a banknote can receive, meaning the note has never been used in everyday transactions. An uncirculated banknote will have crisp, clean paper with sharp square corners, no folds, no creases, and no signs of handling. The paper retains its original sheen and color. When you see “UNC” or “New UNC” in a product listing on our site, it means the note is in pristine, factory-fresh condition.

Banknote grading follows an internationally recognized scale that describes the condition and preservation of a note. From highest to lowest:

• UNC (Uncirculated): Perfect condition. No folds, creases, or handling marks.
• AU (About Uncirculated): Nearly perfect with minimal handling. May have a single light counting fold.
• XF/EF (Extremely Fine): Very attractive with only light handling. Up to three light folds allowed.
• VF (Very Fine): Moderate signs of circulation. Several folds, but paper remains relatively crisp.
• F (Fine): Clear signs of circulation with multiple folds. Still an intact and presentable note.
• VG (Very Good): Well-circulated with heavy wear but no serious damage.
• G (Good): Heavily worn, may have tears, stains, or significant damage.

The vast majority of banknotes we sell at Planet Banknote are in UNC (Uncirculated) condition unless otherwise stated in the listing.

PMG stands for Paper Money Guaranty, which is the world’s largest and most respected third-party banknote grading service. When a banknote is “PMG graded,” it means an independent team of experts has examined the note, assigned it a numerical grade on a scale of 1 to 70 (with 70 being perfect), and sealed it in a tamper-evident protective holder called a “slab.” The designation “EPQ” (Exceptional Paper Quality) means the note has not been altered or treated in any way. PMG grading provides buyers with confidence that the condition has been independently verified. Planet Banknote also offers exclusive PMG Pedigree Labels on select notes from our own collection.

Both PMG and PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) are trusted third-party grading services, but they specialize in different areas. PMG focuses exclusively on paper money and banknotes, while PCGS is primarily known for coins but also grades banknotes through its PCGS Banknote division. Both use a 70-point numerical scale. PMG uses the designation “EPQ” (Exceptional Paper Quality) while PCGS uses “PPQ” (Premium Paper Quality) to indicate original, unaltered notes. We carry both PMG graded and PCGS graded banknotes.

A Certificate of Authenticity is a document that accompanies your purchase and certifies that the banknote is genuine. Every order from Planet Banknote includes a COA at no additional cost. Our COA confirms that the item has been inspected and verified through our Planet Banknote Verified authentication process. For graded notes, the PMG or PCGS slab itself serves as the primary authentication, and our COA is included as an additional layer of documentation.

The Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note is the highest denomination banknote ever printed in history, making it a truly unique artifact of one of the most extreme economic events of the modern era. Only a few million copies were produced during a brief window between January and April 2009 before the currency was suspended. As time passes, the supply of uncirculated examples continues to shrink while collector demand grows worldwide. Between 2011 and 2016, the resale value of these notes increased significantly, and they continue to attract strong interest from collectors, historians, and investors. They are collected as historical artifacts, educational pieces, conversation starters, and numismatic portfolio holdings with a track record of appreciation.

The original Zimbabwe dollar was officially suspended on April 12, 2009, and the Trillion-series notes are no longer recognized as legal tender in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe currently operates under a multi-currency system that includes the U.S. Dollar, South African Rand, and its new gold-backed ZiG currency introduced in 2024. The Trillion-series notes have transitioned into the collectible market, where they are actively traded and have developed significant numismatic value independent of their original face denomination.

Zimbabwe experienced one of the most severe cases of hyperinflation in recorded history during the late 2000s. A combination of factors drove the crisis: the government’s land reform program disrupted agricultural production, involvement in the Second Congo War strained finances, and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe resorted to printing enormous quantities of money to cover budget shortfalls. By November 2008, inflation reached an estimated rate of billions of percent per month. Prices were doubling every 24 hours. The government responded by printing increasingly larger denominations, culminating in the 100 Trillion Dollar note in January 2009. Within months, the currency was abandoned entirely.

Venezuela has experienced one of the most dramatic hyperinflation events in modern history, and the Bolivar has been redenominated multiple times. High-denomination notes like the 200 Million and 500 Million Digitale Bolivar are striking artifacts of an ongoing economic crisis that collectors worldwide find fascinating. These notes represent living history — tangible evidence of what happens when a modern economy experiences extreme monetary expansion. They are popular as collectibles, educational pieces, and gifts, and many collectors see parallels to the Zimbabwe story where early collectors of those notes were handsomely rewarded. We carry the full range of Venezuelan currency from the 1970s through the 2024 Digitale series.

Special Agro Cheques (short for “agricultural cheques”) were a parallel form of currency issued by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from May to July 2008. They were originally intended for use only by farmers to purchase agricultural supplies, but due to the extreme hyperinflation, the general public began using them as regular money. The denominations ranged up to 100 Billion Dollars. They have a distinct design from the regular banknote series and were demonetized on December 31, 2009. Today they are collected as part of the broader Zimbabwe hyperinflation series. Browse our Agro Cheque collection here.

Yes. Every order shipped to a U.S. address receives free USPS Priority Shipping at no extra cost, regardless of order size. International shipping is also available to most countries worldwide, with rates calculated at checkout based on destination and weight. Please see our Shipping & Returns page for full details.

Our BOGO deals offer genuine buy-one-get-one-free value on select banknotes. When a product is listed as a BOGO deal, the listing will clearly state what you receive — for example, “Buy 5 Get 5 Free (10 Notes Total).” The free notes are included automatically with your purchase. No coupon code is needed. BOGO deals are available on a rotating basis and are subject to stock availability. Browse our current BOGO Deals here.

Yes. Every single order from Planet Banknote, regardless of size, includes a complimentary bonus gift. Since our founding in 2021, we have given away over $1,000,000 in free gifts to our customers. The gift varies and is chosen by our team as a thank-you for your business.

Authenticity is the foundation of our business. Every item we sell goes through our Planet Banknote Verified inspection process. We source inventory directly from mints, authorized distributors, central banks, and trusted consignors — not from third-party resellers. Every order includes a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) at no additional charge. For graded notes, PMG and PCGS certification provides an additional independent layer of authentication. Our leadership team brings over 15 years of numismatic industry experience, including prior leadership at one of the nation’s largest currency dealers.

We offer a 7-day return policy on eligible items. To be eligible, the item must be in the same condition as received: unaltered, undamaged, and in its original packaging. All bullion items and auction wins are final sale. To initiate a return, contact us at admin@planetbanknote.com or call (888) 996-COIN (2646) before shipping anything back. Full details are on our Shipping & Returns page.

PBGrade is our sister brand specializing in currency protection. We designed and built the world’s first semi-rigid currency sleeves specifically sized for the 2008 Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note and other medium-sized world banknotes. PBGrade sleeves provide a clear, protective display holder that keeps your notes safe from bending, fingerprints, and environmental damage. They are the new standard in currency protection and grading for serious collectors.

Our PMG Pedigree Label is an exclusive custom label applied to select banknotes that have been hand-picked from our own collection, professionally graded by PMG, and designated with the Planet Banknote pedigree. This label is part of PMG’s initiative to recognize and highlight significant banknotes from notable collections. A Planet Banknote Pedigree Label adds provenance, prestige, and long-term collectibility to the note. Browse our Pedigree Label collection here.

Yes. We carry a curated selection of investment-grade gold and silver products including American Silver Eagles, Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, commemorative coins, Mexico silver, and gold coins. All precious metal items are authenticated and shipped with the same free U.S. Priority Shipping and care as our banknotes. Browse our Silver & Gold collection here.

Planet Banknote is a family-owned and operated numismatic dealership based in Sarasota, Florida. Our leadership team brings over 15 years of industry experience, including a former Team Leader at MCM (Modern Coin Mart), one of the nation’s largest online currency and coin dealers. We maintain direct relationships with mints, authorized distributors, and central banks worldwide to source our inventory. Learn more on our About Us page.

We are based in Sarasota, Florida, USA. All orders ship from our facility in Sarasota. You can reach us by phone at (888) 996-COIN (2646) or by email at admin@planetbanknote.com.

On rare occasions, we may consider purchasing exceptionally rare or significant banknotes. However, due to the prevalence of counterfeits and altered notes in the secondary market, we are extremely selective and in most cases we are unable to purchase banknotes from third parties or private sellers. Our inventory is sourced directly from mints, authorized distributors, and central banks to ensure every item we sell meets our strict authenticity standards. We do not offer consignment services. If you believe you have a truly exceptional piece, you are welcome to reach out to us at admin@planetbanknote.com with photos and details, but please understand that we decline the vast majority of offers.