My personal experience with the catalogue "The counterfeit municipal banknotes of the Civil War", by Amadeo Amorós Tari: a before and after in collecting
Introduction
As a collector new to the world of local banknotes, one of the biggest difficulties I encountered from the start was distinguishing between authentic pieces, real issues, modern reproductions, fantasy notes, or outright forgeries. I speak from personal experience, from learning, and from the mistakes almost all of us make when starting out. In this context, having access to the catalog "Los billetes municipales falsos de la Guerra Civil" (Fake Municipal Banknotes of the Civil War), by Amadeo Amorós Tari, has been a real advantage for me and, even more so, a turning point in the market itself.
This article is not intended to be a technical review of the catalog, but rather a personal reflection from the perspective of a novice collector who is learning and is fortunate enough to be able to consult a work that is marking a before and after.
Starting with local banknotes: a complex terrain for the beginner collector
Local banknotes are a fascinating field, but also particularly complex for those just starting out. Unlike other, more standardized areas of numismatics or notaphily, here we find:
- Very localized issues.
- Scarce accessible historical documentation.
- A wide variety of designs, values, and materials.
- An abundance of non-authentic material circulating in the market.
When one starts, it's easy to make mistakes, overpay, or incorporate pieces into the collection that should not be considered authentic local banknotes.
The catalog "Los billetes municipales falsos de la Guerra Civil" by Amadeo Amorós Tari: a key tool for learning and avoiding mistakes
Being able to consult Amadeo's catalog has made a huge difference for me. Not only because it compiles and organizes information that was previously very dispersed, but also because it establishes clear criteria on what is and what is not a local banknote.
From my personal experience as a beginner collector, Amadeo's local banknote catalog provides:
- Security when evaluating a piece.
- Historical and geographical context.
- Clear references for comparison.
- A common framework of knowledge.
This is especially important when one is still forming their own judgment.
A turning point in the local banknote market and in auctions
Beyond my personal experience, I believe that the publication of Amadeo's local banknote catalog marks a turning point in the market.
Since its appearance, something very significant and easily verifiable has been observed: many auctions have started to clear lots of fake or fantasy banknotes that were previously offered with complete normality. As a collector who frequently reviews auctions, this change is evident. This simply did not happen systematically before the existence of a solid reference work.
The catalog has contributed to:
- Raising the level of demand.
- Reducing the presence of doubtful material in auctions.
- Professionalizing the sector.
- Protecting both new and veteran collectors.
Fundamental support for those of us starting in local banknote collecting
For those of us starting out in local banknotes, having this type of tool not only prevents errors but also accelerates learning and builds confidence.
But furthermore, from my experience, this catalog is also essential from a commercial point of view. As a dealer, having the catalog "Los billetes municipales falsos de la Guerra Civil" by Amadeo Amorós Tari is a fundamental guarantee against making serious mistakes.
In a market where fake and fantasy banknotes have circulated with relative normality for years, buying without a solid documentary basis poses a real risk: acquiring fake pieces, reselling them unknowingly, and jeopardizing one's reputation as a dealer.
In my specific case, as someone who is still learning in this field and also buys and sells banknotes professionally, Amadeo's catalog allows me to:
- Learn in a structured way.
- Verify information before buying.
- Avoid acquiring fake or fantasy banknotes.
- Protect my reputation as a dealer.
- Better understand the real value of the pieces.
- Enjoy collecting and buying/selling with greater peace of mind.
A dedication that turns the catalog into a collector's item
There is also a personal aspect that holds great value for me and that I want to highlight. I have been fortunate that Amadeo Amorós Tari dedicated this catalog to me, and he did so practically without knowing me, a gesture that gave me special joy.
That dedication transforms the book not only into an indispensable reference tool but also into another piece within my personal collection of dedicated catalogs, something I particularly value as a collector.
These types of details further strengthen the bond with study, research, and respect for those who dedicate time and effort to correctly documenting our field.
An essential work for local banknote collecting
In conclusion, from the perspective of a collector starting in the world of local banknotes, the catalog "Los billetes municipales falsos de la Guerra Civil" by Amadeo Amorós Tari is not just a reference work, but a resource that is directly influencing the market and the way we buy, sell, and evaluate these pieces.
Its publication has helped separate the authentic from the fictitious, improved the quality of auctions, and provided a solid foundation for those of us who want to learn and collect rigorously.
For me, being able to consult this catalog is a true stroke of luck and one of those tools that make the difference between collecting blindly or doing so with knowledge.