Return from documents to the Third Series note
Photograph the complete front and back first, preserving every corner and edge. Keep labels, sleeves and oral accounts in linked but separate records.
Map folds, tears, stains and foxing to one numbered banknote, using fixed orientation on every close-up.
Record the sleeve, album order and seal without allowing packaging text to supply missing note details.
No holder or transaction story replaces individual examination.
Keep dimensions, serials and corners together
Use a level camera and include the full margin; add located details of the prefix, serial, wording, designs and damage.
Under transmitted light, describe only paper structures or design positions actually visible, retaining the setup and original unit.
Sort denomination before variety
Copy the series, denomination, printed wording, front-back designs and serial from the subject note before using a market nickname.
The same number must appear on face images, dimension card, corners, edges and current sleeve.
Backlighting records observation, not expectation
Describe folds, splits, missing corners, stains, foxing, glue, holes, recolouring, repairs and flattening as separate located features.
Keep the first colour image because white balance and old plastic can change apparent ink colour.
Preserve the paper arrangement
Photograph bundles, serial runs, album pages and stuck notes in their original order before any safe individual handling.
Images can classify visible designs and faults, while paper feel, fine repairs and print layers may still require the note in hand.
Return each Third Series note to its numbered sleeve
Complete faces, dimensions, backlighting and observed condition form separate but linked evidence groups under the same note number.
Sleeves and album order belong to provenance, while denomination and design remain object observations; the first images stay available for rechecking.
A location such as lower-right corner or top edge makes a condition point repeatable, whereas a vague grade does not.
At handover, physical count, serials and packaging are reconciled, with family statements retained only as context.
Unresolved watermarks, repairs or hidden margins belong on a direct-review list, without ironing, washing or peeling the note.
