Banknote Collecting Supplies and Their Evolution

There is a huge community of people out there who have been collecting banknotes since a lot of years now. The hobby itself might have seen a lot of changes over the years. The items of desire in this hobby also keep changing with time. With respect to general inflation, market value of these banknotes has also shot up gradually. 20 dollars meant a lot back in those days; however, you won’t get to make a decent purchase with that amount today. Amidst all these changes, a few things have remained constant in this hobby. That one thing is the importance of condition and rarity. Banknotes which are preserved well will definitely fare better at auctions a few years down the line. That’s the reason why, the importance of banknote collecting supplies has not faded throughput the years. Every collector wants his or her collection of banknotes to stay as fresh as ever so that they can reap better benefits later on.

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There were limited types of banknote collecting supplies and banknote accessories some thirty forty years back. Today there is a wide variety of banknote albums and banknote sleeves that you will find in the market. Not just that, there were fewer options to buy back then because only some dealers used to sell these items. These days you will find all kinds of varieties online when it comes to selecting a banknote collection album. Quality would vary depending on the brand you choose. There are certain highly trusted brands in this category which have made their mark in producing good quality banknote collecting supplies. Pricing would also vary accordingly. There is no point in opting for a poor quality local brand. I knew a friend who bought a banknote album from the local flee market. He had to pay the price for it later when some of his precious banknotes got spoilt after coming in contact with moisture. Spend some money now so that you won’t have to repent later on.

When you are living in the 21st century, why not make the most of the technological developments that these times are offering in the field of notaphily as well!

It’s time to revive Stamp Collecting with good quality Stamp Collecting Supplies

Stamp collecting has sadly become a dying hobby. There was a time when kids were enthusiastic indulging in this hobby. If fact, I too used to take some time out and immerse myself in this amazing hobby of stamp collecting. Times have changed quickly in the recent decade with digitization. The web-world has engulfed each one of us and nobody has time for one’s own loved ones, forget about philately. People don’t really understand the benefits of making kids involved in stamp collecting. Through this medium, kids learn faster and enjoy the whole process of learning. Stamps in a way define a particular country. There is no better way of learn about these interesting aspects. Stamps depict everything from important personalities, historical events, wildlife, science, sports and more.

The moment you acquire a new stamp from someone, you would naturally want to learn about things that have been depicted on them. Another aspect that one should always consider is investing in the right kind of stamp collecting accessories. Good quality stamp collecting supplies will ensure that your stamps are way from any kind of dust or moisture. It also helps in organising your collecting in a better way. There are different kinds of philatelic supplies like stamp stockbooks, stamp binders, stamp stockpages etc. in the market. All you have to do is identify the best ones based on your requirement.

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Stamps also have a lot of emotional sentiments attached with it. There are cases when a collector has to wait for several years to acquire a certain stamp from someone finally. That can happen only when you are slowly building your network the right way. You can use the web-revolution to stay in touch with someone who is at the other end of the world. Once you have made a good network of fellow collectors then building your collecting becomes even easier. As and when your collecting keeps growing, maintaining them starts becoming even more difficult. So it all depends on the kind of stamp collecting accessories that you invest in.

There is definitely a need to revive the beautiful hobby of stamp collection and also remember to get the best stamp collecting accessories so that they stay special always.

Investing in Good Quality Philatelic Supplies is a Trademark of Passionate Stamp Collectors!

Stamp collection is more than just a hobby for many. Non-collectors will not understand the joy of collecting stamps. Passionate collectors realise the importance of keeping stamps safe from any kind of moisture or dust. That is where good quality stamp collecting accessories come into the picture. There are many kinds of stamp collecting accessories that you would find in the market like stamp stockbooks, stamp binders, stamp stockpages. Depending on the requirement, you should select the most appropriate philatelic supplies. One should not go for cheap accessories as they might not last long. If these accessories are of poor quality, then there are chances that your stamps will not be protected well. Like they say, there is no point in crying over spilled milk, it is always better to be prepared for any kind of unfortunate events right from the beginning. A stitch in time saves nine. So, it is never too late to invest in good quality philatelic supplies so that the freshness of your priceless collection stays intact.

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Many hobbyists do not value the seriousness of philately. Taking things lightly might sting you back in the long run. Take good care of rare stamps in your collection by storing them in stamp binders or stamp stockpages so that when you look at them after several years from now, they are still fresh and colourful. People who come to visit you and take a look at your collection will also have much more respect for you when they see your dedication. Fellow collectors will have more confidence in you and will easily trust you while handing over their stamps to you. Also, when you store your huge collection of stamps in an organised manner, the chances of losing any of them would be even less. Stamp collecting accessories bring in a quality of responsibility within you to ensure that the quality of your stamps never degrades with time.

Enjoying a hobby is one thing and taking it more seriously is another. Who knows you might find one of those rare stamps that not many posses. With dedication, discipline and patience, you can easily scale new heights in philately.

How Stamp Collecting Supplies Can be Your Saving Grace!

Times change and with that change trends as well. Stamp collection was a very popular hobby at one point in time when letters were the only means of communication. But with the advent of technology, connecting with someone has become just a matter of few clicks. That’s the reason why there is a sharp decline in the number of people who engage themselves in this exciting pastime. Youngsters should be encouraged to revive this dying hobby and that I guess is the need of the hour. There is so much to learn when you study about postage stamps. From culture, traditions, history to inventions, people and places, every stamp depicts something which represents the true essence of a country. Along with the importance of the hobby, kids should also be told about the importance of keeping their collection of stamps safe from any kind or dust or moisture. And for that, you would have to invest in quality Philatelic supplies.

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Stamp collecting accessories come in different shapes and sizes like stamp collection albums, stamp stockbooks, stamp binders, stamp stockpages etc. Based on what your requirements are, you will have to pick the right ones. This will ensure that your priceless collection of stamps stays fresh with respect to their colours. Moreover, stamps that are stored in quality stamp collecting supplies would not get folded or torn. If your stamps have even the slightest of folds, they will not be looked at or even considered by potential buyers. If you start collecting stamps now, there could be a time when you will acquire a really rare stamp. You might want to sell them off after a few years. If you are negligent and are not disciplined, then there are chances that you might lose this precious stamp. But if you have taken the effort and purchased quality stamp collection albums, then you can be rest assured that your stamp will remain the same even after many years.

What I always advice young philatelist is that collecting stamps should be considered as a long term investment. You never know what you will add to your kitty or who is going to come looking for you just to buy a special stamp that very few own. When there are so many ifs and possibilities, the only thing you can be responsible about is storing your valuable stamps in good quality stamp collecting accessories!

Change With Time: Upgrade Your Coin Collecting Supplies

Change is the only thing that is constant. One must change with time otherwise they will have to be ready for the consequences. The hobby of coin collecting has also changed over time. It is believed that kings and rulers form the ancient times also liked collecting coins of different types. This is evident from the ancient hoards that have been discovered since ages. Back in those days, there were no ways of preserving your collection. Today however, you will find all kinds of coin collecting supplies that will take care of your precious coins like never before. Apart from that, Coin Grading is a more recent process. Latest technology is being used by various coin grading companies to rate coins. Which is why, it becomes even more important to safeguard your collection at all times.

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The trend has evolved with time when it comes to coin collecting accessories as well. Today you will find several options when you are looking for coin albums, coin pages and coin capsules. What makes the difference is the brand. Local brands would generally be of poor quality. There is no point in investing in these kinds of coin collecting accessories. When condition of your coins has become so important, you cannot really take the risk. There have been several examples when coin lovers have taken things too lightly had they had to pay the price for it. Coins that are exposed to dust and moisture lose their original shine over a period of time. There are high chances that silver coins might get oxidised as well when they are kept unsafely out in the open.

When it comes to investors who are looking to make money through the hobby, more precaution must be taken. A lot of money is at stake in such cases. You definitely wouldn't want to degrade the condition of your coins. In such cases, you might have to end up selling your coins at a lower value. It is always better to invest in good quality coin collecting accessories. When there are so many options available in the internet, you wouldn't have to physically go to stores either. With time, the ways of shopping have also changed. Gone are the days when you have to go from one shop to the next, all day long. Today you can simply click a few buttons and shop online from the comfort of your home. Branded coin holders and coin storage boxes come in different sizes and shapes online. Choose the one that suits your requirements in the best way.

There are many collectors who have been following their hobby from a long time. But they forget to upgrade themselves from time to time. They are generally busy in researching about coins and in that process, do not pay attention to their coin collecting accessories. So the idea is to stay updated regarding the latest products that are out in the market to keep your collection as impressive as ever before!

Misconceptions while Investing in Coin Collecting Accessories

If you love something or someone from your heart, you will leave no stone unturned to keep them safe and happy. Coins may not mean a lot for many of us, but for any passionate coin collector, coins are their world. They put in a lot of effort into research about coins. They also invest a lot of time and money into building their unique collection. That’s the reason why, they will also make sure that their coins are in safe hands always. Understanding the importance of quality coin collecting accessories is essential for every collector. Those who do not value their collection, end up degrading their coins over a period of several years.

There is a general misconception among collectors that since coins are made of metals, they would not be affected by anything. But the fact remains that when coins come in contact with any kind of moisture or dust, they turn blackish due to oxidisation. This is more commonly seen in silver coins. Experts from the field of numismatics have always advised that coins should be stored in quality coin collecting supplies. Rare coins should be handled with utmost care because you might have put in lakhs of rupees for buying them.

Another misconception that collectors have is that coins can be cleaned up later to revive their original sheen. What they forget is that cleaning by using corrosive methods can further degrade their value. It is best to be cautious from the beginning. Think about it. Would you stop taking care of your baby by saying that you would rectify problems when he or she grows up? 

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There are different kinds of coin collecting supplies that you will find in the market like coin albums, coin pages, coin capsules, coin holders, coin storage boxes etc. all of which, have their own functionalities. First, analyse your requirements and then go ahead buying the best affordable coin collecting accessories for your beloved collection.  This will preserve the sharpness of your coin designs for a lifetime.

If you don’t have a habit of storing your coins correctly and methodically, then there are chances that you might lose them as well. When you collection keeps on growing over a period of time, storing coins based on different categories becomes even more important! That’s where these amazing coin collection supplies come into the picture. 

So don’t live in your old bubble of misconceptions, buy quality coin collecting accessories right away!

Stamp Collecting Accessories and Their Two Main Categories

Everyone owns certain valuables that they love treasuring. Apart from jewellery and expensive objects there are other things that are priceless because of its emotional value. It could be a gift that a special someone has given you or it could be something that you have collected over the years. For a philatelist or a stamp collector, their stamp collection is their most prized possession. It takes several years to build an impressive collection of stamps but it doesn’t take even a moment to spoil or misplace them. That’s the reason why stamp collectors know the importance of taking care of their collectibles using quality stamp collecting accessories. You can categorise stamp collecting supplies into two main groups.  Let’s take a look at both these categories today.

Measurement and Analysis:
This type of philatelic supplies comprises of accessories that help collectors in handling, studying and measuring various aspects of a stamp. Tongs can be used to handle delicate stamps in an appropriate manner. A Magnifying glass can be used to study the intricate details of a stamp design while a perforation gauge can be used to measure and identify stamp perforations.  There are special Colour Gauges that allow you to classify stamps based on their colour schemes.

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Storage and Organisation:
These stamp collecting accessories are basically used to protect stamp collections from unwanted external elements such as dust and moisture. A stamp collection album or stamp stockbooks not only keep your stamps away from dust and moisture, but also help you in organising your collections based on different factors such as country names, themes etc. New stamp stockpages can be added to stamp binders so that you can safeguard your rare stamps dynamically as and when your collection keeps growing.

Non-collectors will never understand the hardships and troubles that a collector goes through while building an interesting set of stamps. They will also never understand what makes a collector pursue their hobby so seriously. If you are a passionate collector, you will pay no heed to people who de-motivate you or put you down. Simply keep believing in what you love doing the most and keep nurturing your collection. 

Two Rare Stamps of India Every Collector Dreams of Owning

Rare stamps of India have always captured the attention of collectors and philatelists all across the globe because of their extremely high market-value and demand. Let's take a look at two of the most iconic stamps of India that are world-famous because of their rarity and historical significance.

10 Rupees Gandhi Stamp 1948:

When it comes to Indian stamps, the 10 Rupees Postage stamp featuring Gandhiji, issued in 1948 is world-famous in the field of philately. They were issued to celebrate the first anniversary of our country's Independence. With this release, Mahatma Gandhi became the first Indian personality to be honoured on a postage stamp of India. As few as 100 such pieces were overprinted with the word "Service" and offered exclusively to the then Governor General of India, C. Rajagopalachari. This version of the famed Gandhi Stamp is considered as one of the rarest stamps of India.

The initial idea was to print stamps with a picture of Mahatma Gandhi along with the text "Bapu" in Hindi in January 1948. The India Security Press in Nashik was asked to manufacture a set of four such stamps. However, Gandhi was killed before the stamps were issued. The plan was changed and the Government thought of releasing them as a tribute to the father of our nation. However, this time, they wanted to use a photogravure press to print the issues. The Swiss printers, Helio Courvoisier, Sa. LaChaux De Fonds were asked to print them as the India Security Press did not have the required technology for photogravure printing. Also, the text "Bapu" was depicted in Hindi as well as in Urdu to denote communal harmony. Four sets in denominations 1.5 annas, 3.5 annas, 12 annas and 10 rupees were produced and released on 15th August 1948. 

The 10 Rs postage stamp of India had a reddish background and Mahatma Gandhi's image was in grey in colour. 250,000 such stamps were printed in sheets of 50, containing 5 rows of 10 stamps each. These rare stamps of India had a perforation of 11.5 mm. The mintage limit of service stamps are considered to be the least in the world. Some of them were handed out to important personalities. A sheet of 50 is showcased at the National Archives, Postal Museums, etc. According to experts, only eight such rare Indian stamps are owned by individual collectors.

On 5th October 2007, one set was sold for 38,000 Euros in the David Feldman auction sale. Another example of these Indian rare stamps was sold by the same company for 1,44,000 Euros in 2001. By this time, 18 such stamps were known to collectors. A block of four overprinted 10 Rs Service stamps was sold in Australia for 500,000 in April 2017.

Inverted head 4 Annas 1854:

Here's another Indian stamp that every philatelist dreams of owning. The 4 Annas stamps were issued in red and blue colour in 1854 and are considered to be one of the earliest multicoloured stamps. The error stamp was accidentally manufactured during the production process and features an inverted portrait of Queen Victoria.

The lithography process was used to print the rare Indian postage stamps at Survey Office in Calcutta. The red frames were printed first and the sheets were left to dry for a day. The blue-coloured portrait was printed inside the frame over this sheet on the following day. 206,040 such stamps in India were manufactured using Head Die I and Frame Die I on 13th October 1854. Each sheet contained just 12 stamps. Six sheets were placed inside the press backwards, leading to this invert error.

Only 28 examples of these old Indian stamps exist today and all of them were used. Two or three examples are cut in square while the rest are cut in an octagonal shape. The error was discovered much later in the year 1874. Three octagonal stamps are a part of the Tapling Collection and are showcased at the British Library, London. The Royal Collection and The Government of India Collection have one example each of the octagonal version. Two square shaped versions were in the collection of Desai.

If you ever get a chance to catch a glimpse of these amazing rarities of Indian philately, don't miss it!

Discover the designs and history behind two rare stamps of India that every philatelist dreams of owning. Find out how the famed 10 Rupees Gandhi Service Stamp and Inverted Head 4 Anna stamps were issued. Know about their market value and provenance.

Why Professional Coin Collector Should Invest In Quality Coin Collecting Supplies

The difference between an amateur and a professional is nothing but the way in which one conducts oneself. An amateur will not take his tasks at hand seriously and will do things without following the set rules. Same is the case with the hobby of coin collecting. There are several coin collectors across the world; some of them are serious about pursuing their hobby, while there are others who are doing it to pass their time. Many of them are not even aware about the benefits of collecting coins. There have been several instances where an ancient coin has been sold for millions of dollars. Apart from that, the hobby is not just about collecting coins or making a lot of money. It is also about enriching your knowledge about history and traditions. If you want to take this hobby more seriously then you should have good quality coin collecting supplies with you as well. This will keep coins safe from all kinds of moisture or dust. Let us find out why it is so important to buy branded coin collecting accessories.

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Coin grading is a process that is undertaken by recognised agencies. These agencies grade coins based on various international standards. Coins which are highly graded naturally have a better market value than the ones which are averagely graded. Whenever you add a new coin to your collection, always make sure that you are maintaining the quality of coins by storing them safely in coin collecting supplies like coin albums, coin pages, coin capsules, coin holders, coin storage boxes etc. Today, you don’t need to even make an effort to visit markets to buy coin collecting supplies. You can instead directly buy good quality coin collecting accessories online with just a few clicks. There is no way you can put the blame on your busy schedule. It has become so easy that you can order the best coin collecting accessories online using your mobile phones even when you are on the move!

The reason why you should invest in branded accessories is that they are much more durable than the local ones that you find in the market. These coin collecting supplies will make sure that the quality of your coins remains intact even after several years.

Collect Coins of The World to Live Beyond Four Walls

We generally live a life which is generally constricted within the four walls of our job and responsibilities towards our family. Rarely do we take effort in exploring the world around us. Our lives are very short and I think that we must take some time out in understanding the variety of cultures that are existent around us in the world. Travelling to each of these destinations can be very impractical. Nobody has the time or the money to do something like that. But that doesn't mean that we should be negligent about what is happening around us.

Today, when the internet can provide so much information, nothing can really stop us from enhancing our knowledge about the world we live in. Maybe, some of these stories might inspire us to do something new and give us a bigger or better perspective about problems that we are facing. Another way of doing this is by collecting coins of the world. In fact the hobby of World Coins collection is very popular across several countries. These rare coins give us a deep insight into the history of that particular issuing entity, nation or empire.

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Ancient coins of the world were issued thousands of years ago. Numismatists have been studying them to trace back to those historical times. Imagine the number of empires that were existent in the world, back in those days. This very day is related to events from our past. That's the reason why youngsters need to realise the importance of learning our history. If we forget about our roots and where we have evolved from, we will definitely have an unpredictable future. Many of these ancient world coins have also been sold by auction houses for impressive amounts every now and then. But for a passionate collector, money should not be on the mind. It should purely be the love for the hobby of collecting coins from around the world to increase your knowledge.

Another important aspect about this hobby is research. Whenever you get some time, it is important to read up about the various rare world coins. Referring to authentic website is crucial for any kind of research. Right knowledge is anytime better than half-baked knowledge. There are thousands of websites on the internet which shares information about different types of coins of the world. It is very difficult to trust one particular source of information. Mintage World is one of the very few trusted online platforms where data about coins of the world is presented in a systematic and well-categorised format. All you have to do as a researcher is use the appropriate filters based on time period, ruler name, dynasty, denomination, type of coin, shape of coin etc.

Apart from ancient world coins, Mints from across the globe are reinventing and reimagining coinage in a whole new way. From platinum coins to coins that radiate light in the dark, there are several fascinating collector based world coins that can be purchased online. When it comes to innovation in world coins, Royal Canadian Mint and Australian Mint come in the forefront. Many of these beautiful and unique coins of the world are released as legal tender for small nations like Tuvalu, Niue etc. If you are finding it difficult to build a collection of ancient world coins, you can look out for these fascinating releases online as well.