[jdm]

"And jdm, your figure of the worth if this currency, is off by a value to ten. This money is worth face value,or or a couple of cents over that; at most."

How can you make that assumption, when we're not even sure what sort of bills she found, i.e., $20, $50, $100 notes, etc.?

It was wrong of me to make the assumption that her find is worth $20 to $30K but equally wrong is to assume her findings are worth face value (or pennies more) when we're talking about currency from the 20s, 30s, etc.

I agree most collectors go for the "uncirculated" high-quality bills, but that doesn't mean these bills are in terrible, ripped up shape, worth only pennies more than face value.

[jdm]

Furthermore, considering this line: "placed inside a compartment were two paper packets" there's a good chance the bills are in decent shape. The right compartment could adequately protect the bills from the climate changes over the past several decades.

[spectre]

A few years ago, I went to an Estate sale, and purchased a 1904 2 1/2 dollar gold coin, that had been mounted for a necklace for "TWO dollars". It was in the costume jewelry case.

Just goes to show that even those who price items at estate sales can miss things :~).

sw

[nopardons]

Paper is worth less than coins, to collectors. Mint rare paper is worth less, than mint rare coins. Slightly used coins, are worth more than slightly used paper.

And unless one knows exactly what this find consists of, the value is of it is impossible to guesstimate; however, your guess was egregiously high.

And then there is the fact that FDR called in all gold coins. Most people complied, so those coins are probably off the table, for this find.

If the last dates on the money are from the '50s, it is probable that that's when this money was stashed. Coins for the '20's and '30s and '40's were still in circulation in the '50s.