Protect Stamps in Stamp Collecting Accessories to Revive Philately

Stamp collection is a fun hobby that excites people from all generations. Young or old, collectors find joy in learning about various kinds of postage stamps from around the world. The hobby gives you a deep insight about the various traditions and cultures that are followed in different countries. However, with the advent of technology, stamp collection has slowly lost its popularity as nobody writes letters these days. There is a need to revive the hobby among the younger generation so that they increase their general knowledge about the world. Many collectors do not take any effort in preserving postage stamps. If the hobby has to thrive, existing collectors need to know the importance of storing their valuable stamps in quality stamp collecting accessories. 

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Types of stamp collecting supplies:

When you go shopping to buy philatelic supplies, it is very important to know about the different types of stamp collecting accessories that are available in the market. A stamp collection album allows collectors to classify stamps based on different themes and countries. You can also buy stamp stock pages separately if your collection is growing. These stock pages can be later added to stamp stockbooks as well. These stamp collecting supplies not only make viewing more convenient but also keep stamps away from any kind of moisture or dust. Same is the case with stamp binders which allow you to easily update tour collection.

Quality matters:

Quality of your stamp collecting accessories is very crucial. Philatelic supplies manufactured by local brands do not last long as they are made of poor quality material. It is very risky to store your valuable stamps in such kind of stamp collecting supplies as your collection might not be completely protected. Stamp binders and stamp albums produced by well-known brands such as Lighthouse are ideal as there is no kind of compromise on the Quality front. Once you store your stamps in these stamp collecting supplies, you can be sure that they would never lose their original charm.

If you really want the hobby to become more popular, you must encourage your friends and relatives to start collecting postage stamps. At the same time, you must not forget to take care of your own collection by storing it safely in world-class stamp collecting accessories! Consider the hobby to be a legacy which needs to be continued.

Medieval Period Coins of Sultans and Mughals

Coins of medieval India come in different varieties. If you understand their categories, you would be able to build an interesting and unique collection for sure. Medieval period coins of India can be divided into four main categories namely, coins of sultans, Mughal coinage, coins issued by Princely sates and the ones that were authorised by Hindu kingdoms. Let’s take a look at some medieval coins from the first two categories.

Indian Sultanates

The Ghori kings ruled certain parts of north India and Delhi from 1103 to 1206. The Mamluk or Slave Dynasty overtook the regime from 1206 to 1290, after which the Khaljis ruled Delhi from 1290 to 1320. The Khiljis were followed by Tughluq Dynasty who ruled from 1320 to 1414. Then came the Sayyid dynasty who ruled Delhi from 1414 to 1451. The Lodi Dynasty ruled Delhi from 1451 to 1526 while the Suris took over the regime from 1538 to 1554. There were different sultanates in different territories as well like Jaunpur, Malwa, Sindh, Kashmir, Ahmednagar, Deccan region, Bengal, Madura, Gujarat Sultan and Kalpi.

These Billon medieval period coins were struck under the regime of Muhammad Bin Sam and carried the denomination Jital. It weighs around 3.5 grams and has a diameter of 15mm. These coins followed the Anno Hijri calendar system and were die struck. These commonly found coins followed the theme of a horse, horseman and an Arabic legend. The obverse features the Arabic inscription Al-Sultan Al-Azam Muhammad Bin Sam while the reverse depicts a Horseman to the right.

Mughal coinage

The Mughals ruled different parts of India from 1526 to 1540 and then later from 1555 to 1857. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb were some of the greatest rulers of the Mughal empire. Out of them, medieval coins of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan are extremely popular all over the world.

This beautiful gold mohur of Akbar weighed around 10.8 to 10.9 grams and had a diameter of 21 to 26 millimetres. This is a Kalima type coin which dated 978 as per the Anno Hijri calendar. They were Die Struck at Agra Mint and featured name and title of Akbar, Date between two parallel lines, Mint name, and the text Khallad allah mulkahu on the obverse. The reverse featured the Kalima within ornamented quarter-foil with looped corners and name of four caliphs around.

We have only talked about a few coins of medieval India here. There are several others which you can explore to build an impressive collection of medieval period coins.

Be Careful When You Buy currency Notes Online

Internet and the World Wide Web have become very important parts of our lives. From booking train tickets and hotels to shopping, gaming, networking and more, we have come to a point where we can’t imagine life without internet. The field of Notaphily has evolved over the years with the advent of technology. Gone are the days when collectors had to make small groups and meet up every weekend to discuss about their hobby. Today, every collector can upload pictures of their interesting collections online and look for buyers as well. You can also reach out to experts for resolving your doubts or queries. The best part is that you can now easily buy currency notes online and build your collection in an impressive fashion. However, there are some issues when you go with any random website that offer world currency notes for sale. Let’s take a look at some of them today.

Authenticity
The problem with selecting a any website that offers old note collections for sale is that you cannot be hundred percent sure whether the website is authentic. Many of these websites sell fake notes while several others list notes with a higher value. Before you buy currency notes online, it is always good to take an opinion form an expert. They might be able to evaluate a note by looking at the picture and tell you its exact market value.

Amateur collectors
We often find amateur collectors who get excited when they find an interesting banknote. They share pictures on the internet enthusiastically without doing their research. You shouldn’t believe these collectors at the first instance when they offer banknotes for sale. You must do your research and find out whether the note is rare or in good condition. 
When you buy banknotes online, you get to choose from a wider range of options. You can also check out reviews of these dealers or websites before taking that final decision. There are many trusted websites like Mintage World which offers different types of amazing world currency notes for sale at reasonable rates. It is much better to buy banknotes online from these websites rather than buying them from eBay or any other random website.

Why Banknote Accessories Bring a Sense of Calm Among Collectors

Do you collect interesting banknotes? If yes then let me go ahead and ask you another dreaded question. Have you ever folded or torn any of your favourite banknotes accidentally? Skipped a beat already? I really didn’t mean to scare you and can totally understand your reason for being anxious. No collector on earth would want their precious collection to be spoilt. But if you really think that your collection is priceless then nothing should stop you from buying good quality banknote accessories. They are your only saviours really. What’s the point it putting so much effort and then spoiling it all at the end! If you truly love your hobby then you will also take appropriate measures to ensure that your collection of banknotes stays away from any kind of dust or moisture. You will also see to it that they do not get folded or torn.

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It is in-fact a thumb rule for every collector that they should invest in quality banknote collecting supplies like a banknote collection album or banknote sleeves. Unless you store your valued notes in a banknote album, there are chances that you might misplace them somewhere. Apart from that, you will not be able to arrange them based on different categories. Finding a particular banknote can be very time-consuming when you don’t keep them in banknote collecting supplies. Organised and disciplined collectors will not only buy banknote accessories like a banknote album but will also have an index using which he or she can quickly spot a particular note form their own collection. You won’t have to maintain an index if your collection is small or fairly manageable.

You might be aware that the condition of your banknotes is the most crucial factor when you are trying to sell them back again. The market value of banknotes depends a lot on their condition. Even if you have a rare note but it’s not in a great condition, you might not get the desired amount. For those who are considering this hobby as an investment, buying a good quality banknote album is a must. So go online and buy banknote sleeves and other important banknote accessories so that you are always safe and happy!

How modern-day collectors are benefitted from an online museum of coins

Museum is a place where you physically get to see ancient relics and artefacts. A lot of effort goes into restoration and maintenance of these priceless objects from out past. Historians, students and researchers gain a lot of knowledge and information by visiting these museums. Coins, banknotes and postage stamps can also talk a lot about our history. Aspects like religion, culture and traditions can be analyzed through the study of these items of currency. There are very few museums in the world that are dedicated to coins, banknotes and postage stamps. Many-a-times, researchers and collectors find it very difficult to gather information. There are numerous websites that provide information about coins, notes and stamps, but most of them are unorganized. Moreover, you cannot be sure if the information is coming from an authentic source. Mintage World is the best online museum of coins, banknote museum and stamp museum where you will find all the information that you are looking for in a systematic manner.

 The best part is that all the data about coins, notes and postage stamps is classified into different groups based on time periods. Browsing through the website becomes absolutely easy by following these categories. The online museum of coins presents vital statistics about coins like mint name, obverse/reverse descriptions, high resolution images, year of issue, dynasty, ruler name etc. The banknote museum presents information about national and international currency in a similar manner. The stamp museum has a wide array of postage stamps of India that were issued before and after independence too. Another important feature in this online museum of coins is the filter functionality. You can simplify your searches based on filters like metal type, dynasty name, ruler name, time period, year of issue etc. Similar kinds of filters are present in the banknote museum and stamp museum as well.

There are very few websites that lists so much information in an organized way. You will definitely have to refer different websites to learn about coins, notes and stamps. Mintage World is the first and the only online platform that caters to all three fields of numismatics, notaphily and philately. So, make the most of it!

Interesting Antique Indian Coins from the Colonial Era worth Collecting!

Antique coins of India were issued by various European powers like the Dutch East India Company, Danish East India Company, French East India Company, British East India Company and Portugal during the colonial period. Apart from that, The British East India Company also issued separate antique Indian coins of Madras Presidency, Bombay Presidency and Bengal presidency. Let’s take a look at some rare and interesting colonial coins of India.

Dutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company issued Gold coins of the denomination Pagoda from 1747 to 1784.These coins were Die Struck featuring a degenerated Vishnu on the obverse and a granulated reverse. This is one of the rare coins in India that were issued during the colonial period.

Danish East India Company
The Danish East India Company issued copper coins of the denomination Royalin under the regime of Christian VII in the year 1780. These beautiful antique Indian coins were Die Struck featuring the crowned C7 monogram on the obverse while the denomination, date and arms lion in between on the reverse.

French East India Company
The French East India Company issued silver rupee coins under the regime of Alamgir II in 1170s AH. These Coins were die-struck at Arkat mint featuring the inscription Alamgir in Persian on the obverse. There are many other rare coins in India that were issued by the French East India Company.

British East India Company
The British East India Company issued Gold coins of the denomination two Mohurs under the regime of Queen Victoria. These 11.66 grams coin had a diameter of 32.5 millimetres and were die-struck at Calcutta mint in the year 1854.  These Extremely Rare coins in India were struck as Proof coins with a plain edge and were not struck as currency. The obverse features the bust of the Queen facing left along with the inscription VICTORIA QUEEN 1854, within a raised, toothed rim. The Reverse depicts a standing lion with a palm tree above. Other inscriptions include EAST INDIA COMPANY, the denomination in English and Persian, all within a raised, toothed rim.

East India Company
The East India Company issued copper Cash coins for the Madras Presidency in the year 1740. These coins were die-struck at Fort St. David. The obverse featured the legend Sri in Tamil while the reverse depicted the text Kumpini (Company) in Tamil.

Look for these amazing rare coins of India and make your collection more vibrant.

4 Amazing Coins of India form 4 Different Eras

There is something about Coins of India that make them extremely desirable among numismatists and coin collectors form all over the world. Each of these beautiful Indian coins has a lot of historical significance. They also share a lot of information about the traditions and cultures followed during a particular era. Based on time period, Indian coins can be classified into four main categories namely, ancient, medieval, colonial and modern. Let’s take a look at some of the most amazing coins of India belonging to each of these four categories.


Ancient Coins of India

Gandhara Janapada was one of the earliest Janapadas that existed from around 600 BC to 300 BC. The silver Shatamana coins issued by Gandhara Janapada are considered to the earliest coins of the world. These coins were rectangular in shape and weighed around 11.5 grams. The weighing standards were maintained by using rati seeds. These rare Indian coins featured designs only on one side. The other side depicted two six-petal flowers on the two ends of the elongated planchets. The design was imprinted on the planchet using the punch-mark process.

 Indian Coins of the Medieval Period

The Gold Hon coins that were issued during the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are extremely rare. These beautiful medieval India Coins were made out of 2.9 to 3.5 grams of gold. These coins were die-struck and featured Devanagri legends on both sides. The Devanagri legend on the obverse reads Shri Raja Shiva within row of dots.  The Devanagri legend on the reverse reads Chhatrapati within row of dots. Many auction houses around the world have sold this coin for a very good amount.

 Old Indian Coins from Colonial Era

The British East India Company had issued Gold coins of the denomination 1 Mohur featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse. These extremely rare Indian coins issued in 1841 weighed around 11.66 grams and had a diameter of 26 millimetres.  These coins were die-struck at Calcutta Mint featuring the bust of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the continuous legend: VICTORIA QUEEN 1841, within a raised, toothed rim. The reverse depicted a standing lion facing left with a palm tree above. Other inscriptions included EAST INDIA COMPANY, ONE MOHUR and YEK ASHRAFI in Persian, within a raised, toothed rim.

 Republic India coins

The Government of India had issued a 50 Paise stainless steel coin in the year 2013 at Kolkata Mint. These Republic India coins are scarce and featured the emblem of India flanked by BHARAT in Devanagari and INDIA in roman on the obverse. The reverse depicted the denomination 50 PAISE in English as well as Devanagari. The word PAISE is also written in Roman. The year date 2013 is surrounded by flower scrolls. If you spot this Indian coin with no mint mark, you are lucky!

We have only talked about four Indian coins here. There are hundreds of other varieties to be explored!

Examples of Some Interesting Old Notes of India

We frequently use Indian notes for our day-to-day transactions, but we rarely take an effort to learn about the history of Indian notes. The earliest notes of India were issued by Bank of Bengal, bank of Madras and Bank of Bombay. They were circulated for Bengal presidency, Madras presidency and Bombay presidency respectively. Did you know that currency notes in India were issued in unique denominations like 16 rupees, 4 rupees, 250 rupees, 1 gold mohur, 25 rupees, 8 rupees and company 5 rupees by Bank of Bengal? Similarly Bank of Bombay had released old notes of India of the denomination 5000 rupees as well. Bank of Madras had issued rare notes of India of the denomination 15 rupees.

Uniface Indian notes featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria, of the denomination 20 rupees were issued on 10th June 1864 and were made of handmade white paper. It depicted a profile portrait of Queen Victoria in a floral wreath. Other texts included 'Government of India'; Serial numbers with prefix - One letter and two numerals; Denomination in words and numerals appeared in Bangla and Persian; the name of Sub-Circle was overprinted. The Watermark featured the text GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, denomination in words and numerals in a rectangle, signature of the finance member of legislative Council - Sir James Wilson, and that of the Governor General Lord canning.

The 5 rupees old Indian notes featuring King George V featured 8 Indian Languages on the language panel namely, Urdu, Kaithi, Bangla, Burmese, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Gujarati. The watermark consisted of a star with rays, 'Govt/Of' in two lines and 'India' in wavy lines and a flag on the right.

The pink coloured 2 rupees note featuring King George VI were produced using machine made paper and featured the signature of JB Taylor. The 100 rupees rare notes of India from the princely state of Hyderabad featured the Urdu text Sarkar-e-Ali' which means Government Currency Note. It also had two five digit serial numbers, Royal Coat of Arms, Denomination in words in Marathi, Telugu, O.S. Rs. ONE THOUSAND and Kannada. Promise text, EK HAZAR SICCA OSMANIA, Date panel, For the Government in Urdu, signature; denomination in numerals in Siyaq, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and English.

There are many other interesting and historically significant currency notes in India. Once you start researching, you will surely fall in love with them.

Invest in Quality Coin Collecting Supplies if You Truly Love History

Historical coins always deserve to be treated in a special way. They are treasures that hold innumerable unknown mysteries. They are not just pieces of metals; they have witnessed a different Era that was unknown to us before the coin’s discovery. Human beings from a different era had used them for their daily transactions. How were their lives like, without the modern comforts and amenities of today’s times? Every answer points to the fact that it is our duty to preserve and protect these valuable artefacts. It is absolutely disheartening to meet collectors who are not too keen on storing their coins safely. It is better not to collect historical coins if you don’t want to take up the responsibility of safeguarding them. One must invest in coin collecting supplies wisely if he or she is serious about numismatics or the hobby of coin collecting. These coin accessories protect your coins from external elements like dust and moisture.

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It is not very difficult to find good quality coin collecting accessories. At least, it is not as difficult as putting together an impressive collection of rare coins. So why does any collector even have to think twice in this matter? Coin albums come in various sizes and shapes these days. They will surely help you segregate your collection in an organised manner. Coin capsules are made of tough plastic, which eliminates the chances producing unwanted scratches or abrasions on coins. Coin holders are made of cardboard with transparent plastic sheets on both sides, so that the obverse and reverse designs are clearly visible. Finally there are coin storage boxes which come with special kind of holders and slots to preserve rare or precious coins. Coin collecting supplies are easily available on various online portals as well. Coin accessories of well-known brands like Lighthouse last longer as they are made of high quality material. They are like one-time investments that you need to make even before you start collecting coins.

If you genuinely have any kind of respect or love for history, then you will make sure that you keep your coins safely in good quality coin collecting supplies. Even if you wish to sell your coins a few years down the line, you will have to maintain their condition by storing them in coin collecting accessories for good returns.

Varieties of Medieval Period Coins That You Might Not be Aware About!

When we talk about coin of medieval India in the field of numismatics, the ones issued by popular kings like Akbar, Shahjahan, Shivaji etc are more popular. However there are several other interesting medieval period coins of India that have a lot of historical significance. These unique medieval coins can make your collection even more interesting. Let’s take a look at some unique coins of medieval India today.

Medieval coins of India can be broadly classified into five groups namely, the once issued by various sultans, Mughal coinage, coins struck under independent kingdoms, coins issued by princely states and finally the ones issued by Hindu Kingdoms and empires. The Indian subcontinent was governed by various sultanates like Delhi Sultanate, Malwa Sultanate, Gujarat sultanate, Bengal sultanate, Deccan Sultanate etc. in the medieval times. Apart from them, Kashmir, Ahmadnagar, Madura etc. were also governed by different sultanates. Each of these sultanates issued different medieval period coins featuring various designs and inscriptions.

Then comes the coins of Medieval India struck under the Mughals. Powerful emperors like Akbar and Shahjahan issued various types of beautiful medieval coins which are sold at auction houses across the world even today for impressive amounts.

When it comes to independent kingdoms, medieval period coins issued under the Marathas, Ahom dynasty, Mysore, Vijayanagar Empire and Sikhs come into the picture. As a passionate collector, you can research about these varieties and add value to your collection of medieval coins.

Coins issued by Princely states fall under another huge category. You can consider collecting beautiful coins of Bhopal, Bhavnagar, Awadh, Bikaner, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Mysore, Travancore etc. You will be able to understand the unique cultures, traditions and languages of India through the study of these amazing coins of Medieval India.

Finally you can look for coins issued by Hindu Kingdoms and empires like Nolambas, Yadavas, Hoysalas, Eastern Gangas, Imperial Cholas, Vaghelas etc. 
All in all, if you thought that medieval coins are only about the ones issued by Mughals and Marathas, then you are totally wrong! You must look to expand your horizons as a collector and keep researching about the different varieties of Medieval Period coins. 

Banknote Accessories of Well-known Brands Can Make a Big Difference!

Do you have an interesting collection of rare banknotes or are you planning to pursue this hobby? If yes, then you must take care of your collectibles so that they do not come in contact with dust or moisture. When banknotes are exposed to these external elements, there are chances that they would lose its original colours. Apart from that, there are chances that they could get folded or torn. You should be aware that the condition of banknotes matters a lot when it comes to auctions. The market value of a particular rare banknote not only depends on uniqueness or rarity. You wouldn’t want the market value of your precious collection to start deteriorating with time. That’s the reason why, you should always store your banknotes in quality branded banknote accessories. They will ensure that your notes do not come in contact with moisture or dust of any kind.

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Banknote collecting supplies come in different varieties such as a Banknote album or banknote sleeves. There are various brands and companies which produce banknote accessories. The problem with local brands is that the quality of these products is very poor. I have personally read many reviews of people who have purchased a banknote collecting album of a local brand and have regretted their decision. Yes, it is true that banknote sleeves and banknote albums produced by better brands are costlier, but they are more durable as they are made of high quality material. What is the point when you have to buy new banknote collecting supplies every now and then? It is always better to go with trusted brands whose products will invariably last longer. You will also find a lot of options online. There is no need to visit a store; simply click a few buttons on your mobile phone and the product will be delivered at your door steps.

Collectors who take things lightly might have to repent later. Like they say “prevention is better than cure”, it is always advisable to buy quality banknote collecting supplies so that you can earn good profits in the long run. And like mentioned earlier, always look for the best brands.

Coins of India that Everyone Desire

 “Coins of India” is a topic that is discussed widely among numismatists all over the world. The reason why they are so popular is because of the historical stories that they hold. Based on the time period, these amazing Indian coins can be categorized into four major categories namely, Ancient, Medieval, Colonial and Modern. Let’s take a look at some examples from each category.
Gandhara Janapada existed from 600 BC to 300 BC. They issued rectangular-shaped punch-marked coins of the denomination 1 Shatamana. These coins of India were struck on around 11.5 grams of silver and featured two 6-petal flowers at both the ends. These coins are also considered as the oldest in the world.

Magadha Janapada existed from 600 BC to 550 BC. They issued silver coins of the denomination Vimshatika weighing somewhere around 5.5 grams. These punch-marked coins feature Six-armed symbol, Sun symbol and two abstract symbols on the reverse.  If you are looking for a rare Indian coin, then you could add one of these to your collection. The Kashi Janapada issued punch-marked silver coins of the denomination 5 Shanas between 600 BC and 525 BC. These rare Indian coins featured two abstract symbols and two flowers. 
When it comes to medieval period coins of India, you can look for octagonal-shaped Ahom coins issued under Jayadhvaja Simha. They were denominated as rupee and were struck in the year 1570.  The Obverse featured the text Sri Sri Hari Hara Charana Parayanasya while the Reverse depicted the text Sri Sri Svarga Naraya Nasya Sake 1570. These are extremely rare coins in India which are very difficult to find.
Then there is the round Hon gold coin issued under Shivaji Maharaj the great. The obverse features
This is just the beginning; there are several other amazing Indian coins that can make your collection out of this world!

the text Shri Raja Shiva while the reverse depicts the inscription Chhatrapati. Won’t it be an honour to own coins issued by one of the greatest warriors of Indian history? You can also search for beautiful coins from the Paramaras of Malwa dynasty issued under the ruler Udayaditya. This Gold Dinar weighed around 4.07. The obverse featured Goddess Lakshmi seated with cross legs. The reverse depicted the Nagari legend 'Srimad Gangeyyadeva'.

Tips to Build a Unique Collection of Currency Notes in India

Notaphilists are always on the lookout for ways in which their collection can be enhanced. If you are wondering how you can make your collection of Indian notes unique, then you can start by adding different varieties. For that, you would first have to understand the broad categories of currency notes in India. The history of Indian Notes starts with early banknotes that were issued by various presidencies established by East India Company. Then we have British India notes that were issued when our country was officially declared as a colony of England. You can also search for Colonial issues that were released by other European powers. Hyderabad had also issued separate currency notes which are termed as Princely state issues. Finally we have the republic notes of India which were issued after independence.

If you are into collecting rare notes of India then you can make it more exciting by adding examples from each of these categories. You could also later segregate your collection based on time period or category. Among early banknotes you could look for the beautiful Bank of Hindostan issue for Bengal presidency. The 20 rupees note was unifaced and featured Intricate red design over a black imprint on the borders. The year of issue is absent on these Indian notes made of handmade white paper. The oval vignette on the left features a personified Ganga, while that on the right features a mahout on an elephant. A watermark shows Ashoka Pillar on the left.

You can also seek the 10 rupees British India Note issued for the Calcutta circle on 9th May 1862. The uniface note featured the signature of H. Hydes and a prefix A. The note features a portrait of Queen Victoria in a floral wreath. Other important texts include 'Government of India'. Denomination is featured in both words and numerals in two languages namely, Bangla and Persian. The watermark includes the text GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in bold letters on top. These rare notes of India also feature the signature of the finance member of legislative Council - Sir james Wilson and that of the Governor General - Lord canning.

There are hundreds of other varieties when it comes to old notes of India. You will have to keep researching about these wonderful rare notes of India if you really want to build an impressive collection.