Quality Stamp Collecting Supplies Are Must Haves For Any Philatelist

It is almost impossible to visit all your dream destinations within your single lifetime. Stamp collecting is a hobby through which you can traverse into an imaginary world without actually going anywhere. Each country issues stamps that highlight special aspects related to the respective nation's history, events, personalities, flora fauna and much more! That's the reason why stamp collecting is considered to be one of the most popular hobbies of the world. Unlike other hobbies though, philately enhances your general knowledge to a great extent. Philatelists do not simply restrict themselves to adding stamps to their collection. They go a step further by learning about the imagery found on stamps and look up for information related to those images or designs. Experienced stamp collectors know the importance of investing in good quality stamp collecting supplies.

Stamp collecting accessories not only help in organising your collection, but also keeps them safe from any kind of dust. Quality stamp collecting accessories prevent stamps from getting folded or torn. This way you can maintain the market value of your stamps for a long period of time. Stamps which are folded or even slightly torn do not sell at the desired market rates. Also, stamps which are in contact with dust lose their actual freshness! So, the best thing would be to buy the right kind of philatelic supplies, so that you won't have to regret about anything, going forward.

Tips for Buying the Right Stamp Collecting Supplies:

There are several shops which sell philatelic supplies. Take care that you not buy any of those local brands. The problem with local brands is that they are not made of quality materials. They could be cheaper, but they wouldn't be as durable as branded stamp collecting accessories. In this modern day and age of internet, buying stamp collecting accessories online is just a matter of few clicks. They also offer different payment options to suit your needs. So basically, you wouldn't have to step out of your homes to look for stamp collection albums. Besides that, when you are shopping online, you have better and more options to choose from. Based on the size of your collection, you can go for an appropriately sized accessory. That's not all, many of these companies that offer branded stamp collecting supplies, also give certain discounts on their products. When you get a better product at an affordable rate, why should you go for local brands?

Why is it so important?

Although stamp collecting is considered as a hobby by many, there are some collectors who look at it as an investment. It becomes even more important for them to store their rare stamps safely. Besides that, there are many collectors who follow certain themes. Compiling and sorting stamps becomes much easier when you keep them in stamp stockbooks, stamp binders or stamp stockpages. It becomes much easier to find a particular unique stamp when your collection is more organised. Many philatelists also follow a practice of making an index page for their stamps. By referring to an index, one can easily spot any stamp in a huge collection.

The benefits of investing in the right kind of affordable stamp collecting supplies are many. So go out there and buy one as soon as possible.

How Different Postcard Collecting Supplies Can Nurture Your Hobby

Each one of us likes engaging in an activity that helps us rejuvenate and relax. Travelling is one such activity that not just allows you to explore new places, but also improves your family bond. Many people like buying souvenirs and postcards from the places they visit and many of them like me, even love collecting these postcards. Postcard collecting was a very popular hobby a few years ago when people used to write postcards for their loved ones. Over the years, even though the trend of writing postcards has died down, there is still a large community of people who engage themselves in this wonderful hobby. If you are looking to indulge in a joyful hobby, then you should definitely start collecting postcards as and when you visit a new place. Since postcards are made of hard paper, it is important to store them using postcard collecting supplies. Let's find out how to select the right kind of supplies for your collection.

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Choose quality over pricing:

There are many brands in the market which produce different kinds of postcard accessories. However, the quality of products manufactured by local brands is not really up to the mark. Many of these products fail to offer protection for your postcards and you might end up spoiling your collection in the long run. It is very important to choose the right brands so that your valuable postcards don't come in contact with any kind of dust or moisture. The feeling of looking at postcards from your old collection will definitely bring back fond memories. That's the reason why, it becomes essential to preserve your collection in the best way possible.

Types of postcard accessories:

Postcard collecting supplies come in different varieties and each one of them serves a different purpose. Let's take a quick look at each type of accessory and its usage.

1) Postcard storage album

A postcard album is commonly used by collectors to arrange postcards in a systematic manner. These albums contain several pages and each page contains multiple plastic pockets. You can insert postcards in each pocket and protect them. Moreover, since these pockets are made of transparent material, you can easily view both sides of a postcard which is placed inside the album.

2) Postcard plastic pockets

If you don't want to buy an entire album, you have the option to buy plastic pockets separately. They come in different sizes. But it is better to buy the standard dimension of 4 by 6 inches as most postcards will fit into these pockets.

3) Postcard plastic sleeves

Similarly, you can also buy plastic sheets separately. Each sheet contains multiple pockets. Once you slide in postcards in these sheets, you can use a binder to hold them together. Again, beware of local brands as these sheets might easily get damaged.

The basic motive behind this hobby is to keep travelling and exploring unseen locations. Always remember to enjoy the process and be patient when your collection is not growing. Try building a series based on themes and cities. Get in touch with fellow postcard collectors and see if you can exchange a few postcards. The idea is to share the joy of collecting and invite new exciting experiences in life.

Stamp Collecting Accessories And Their Uses

There are thousands of stamp collectors across the globe, out of which some take their hobby seriously while many others do it just for fun. Serious collectors always make sure that they have the right kind of stamp collecting accessories to take care of their collection. Many of them also invest in rare stamps of the world and auction them later for impressive amounts. Maintaining the condition of stamps becomes critical if you want to make money out of this hobby and this is possible only if you have quality philatelic supplies. Let's take a look at some stamp collecting supplies that genuine collectors buy.

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Stamp tongs:

When you handle postage stamps without any precautions carelessly, there are chances that you might fold or tear them accidentally. Moreover, old stamps are more delicate in nature and should be handled with more care. Stamp tongs can help you pick up stamps easily without folding or tearing them accidentally. Apart from that, these stamp collecting accessories keep your valuable stamps away from your soiled hands.

Magnifying glass:

Many a times, collectors have to take a closer look at texts and designs. It is difficult to analyse the minute detailing of stamp designs with your naked eye. In such cases magnifying glasses come in handy.

Stamp collecting albums:

These are the most commonly used affordable stamp collecting accessories by collectors all over the world. These philatelic supplies help in arranging stamps in a systematic manner based on themes or country name. You can affix your stamps in albums using a hinge or a mount. You can decide the number of stamps that you want to display on a page and arrange your collection accordingly. When you store stamps randomly in boxes or drawers, there are chances that you might misplace them. When it comes to albums, you can prepare an index and keep a track of every stamp in your collection. You can also leave space for a little write-up about the stamps on a particular page.

Stamp stockbooks, stockpages and binders:

Many collectors get confused between stamp albums and stamp stockbooks. Stamp stockbooks have plastic slits in which you can arrange as many stamps as you want. This is useful for the ad-hoc collector who simply wants to store their stamps safely, away from any kind of dust or moisture. However, these collecting supplies are not suited if you want to arrange a collection for a competition. You can also buy stamp stockpages separately and add them to your stockbooks in case you are running out of space. Stamp Binders are generally made of hard cover and are thicker since they have a circular metallic binder at the centre.

There are many other stamp collecting accessories such as a Perforation gauge (to measure perforation), watermark detector (to identify hidden watermarks), colour key (to categorise colour schemes) etc. that help collectors in different ways. If you are really serious about this hobby, then you will surely be more excited when you have the right tools with you.

Learn about various types of quality stamp collecting accessories used by serious collectors all over the world and how they come in handy to take care of your valuable collection.

Stamps Of India Collectibles And Your Own Likes

What defines a particular country? There are various aspects that can be considered when you are trying to understand about a country. One of it is its history; the other is its geography. Then comes other aspects like wildlife, sociology, culture, tradition and the list goes on. Every country has its own identity which makes it unique in some ways. Architecture also plays a major role here. That's the reason why Greece has its own style of architecture, Arabian nations have their own style and English countries can be distinguished by its unique architecture as well.

Many a times a country is ruled by emperors from a different land, who came in and conquered a particular area. Influences play a very important role here. People living in a particular area would be highly influenced by the culture and tradition of that location. So how do you go about understanding these beautiful aspects of a country? There are many ways of doing this. Some are extremely complex while others are outright simple. Let's take a look at one of the easier ways of approaching this subject. For example if you want to gain knowledge about a country like India then you could start studying about stamps of India from Mintage World.

Seems a bit illogical? Well, it is not really so. Indian stamps portray subjects that touch on an array of topics. The moment you start collecting rare Indian stamps, you will definitely feel the need to learn about the various depictions on them. Mintage World is the website where you can learn about Indian Stamps. If you are a topical collectors then rare Indian stamps is literally a sea out there. They cover different areas like personalities, science, technology, history. There are stamps of India that have shown dogs on them. So if you are a dog lover, then all you will have to do is start collecting them and start reading on all these breeds of Indian dogs. Then there is a series of Indian commemorative postage stamps which commemorate trains and engines. I know about a few friends who are absolutely crazy about trains. Now imagine if they find a stamp featuring old trains on them! They would definitely love them all.

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Understanding what you like as a person is very important as well. Many youngsters these days simply follow what others are doing just because it has become a trend. What happens when you follow a trend is that you don't analyse what it that you really like from the bottom of the heart is. You keep doing something you don't really like, all your life and before you even realise, it would be too late. So how you understand who you really are as a person? It is not rocket science. You need to sit back and relax first. You shouldn't feel the compulsion of doing anything. Close your eyes and think of your childhood days, what you liked doing back then and what your real strengths were as a person. You will slowly find a pattern in all those events of your life. All you have to do then is connect the dots search for truth. What brings a smile on your face, what makes you happy internally, what is it that charges you up? Once you find an answer to these questions, life becomes easier. Finally after you have arrived at a conclusion, you can start collecting rare Indian stamps based on your topic of interest. Not just Indian stamps, you can also stretch the barrier a bit and indulge in collecting stamps of other countries too.

So we have covered two things here. One is that you start learning about your own country India in a more fun way by collecting Indian stamps. The other is that you have also made that effort to actually find out what you really like in life. Almost like a self-discovery. I think that kids should be introduced to stamps of India at a very young age so that they are also aware of a new of learning things. Kids, being the way they are will be bound to get bored very easily. When you show them stamps of India, they will definitely start getting more excited and would want to learn with an alert mind. Not just kids actually, anyone and everyone who starts collecting stamps of India will soon fall in love with them.

The hobby not only enlightens you about different things in life but also doesn't allow you to sit idle. You can start gazing at your amazing collecting of stamps of India whenever you want and side by side also start reading about topics that have been showcased on them. In a way you are not whiling away your time doing something that is not very useful.

So be it wanting to know about your country, understanding your own likes or keeping yourself busy in a good way, collecting stamps of India taught me a whole lot of things!

How Coin Collecting Supplies Have Evolved Over The Years

 The past scenario was really a challenging one for coin collectors as they were driven by passion to collect coins for the joy of it. But their joy didn't stay for long as they used primitive methods to store their cherished passion. Due to which, everything suffered. However, the present scenario is favoring numismatists as they can rely on coin collecting supplies to protect their collection. From using plastic bags and plastic bottles to utilizing coin capsules, a lot has changed over the years.

There was a time when coin collecting supplies were not available at all, but when the need arises, people realize that something needs to be done to prevent something bad from happening. And, that's how coin collecting accessories came into existence. These accessories are really helpful in preserving all types of coins, whether ancient, medieval or modern. They can protect them from dust, mites and moisture, thus increasing the life of coins.

However, since we are in the age of technology, things are really easy and work too has been simplified. Coin collecting accessories is such a boon for collectors as they get to protect something that is of immense value to them. Preserving coins with the help of modern techniques is trending nowadays. There are numerous ways in which you can assemble your collection and stack them in a coin collecting album. Previously, there were few, who pursued such hobbies, but off late, this particular hobby has gained recognition worldwide. And people from all walks of life have developed immense respect of numismatists as they think, the field is rich and graceful.

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When it comes to coin collecting storage supplies, there are many online stores that provide discounts and also ensure quality product delivery at home. Therefore, Numismatists in India are going to various lengths to safeguard their collection. Some rely on coin collecting sheets as they are perfect shields against all types of negativity that can damage their treasured pieces. Many online stores are always coming up with new products and tools with enhanced protection.

Aspiring collectors, who want to enter the field of numismatics, should be prepared for challenging tasks and long nights to decipher rare coins. But, they should also keep in mind that these rare coins are very delicate and any form of rash or harsh treatment given to them, can have serious repercussions. Hence, it is really important to have full knowledge about protecting coins. They should purchase coin holder album as it is perfect tool to store wide variety of coins. But, when you're looking for the best, then money coin holder is surely an amazing choice.

It is really hard to separate a coin lover from his collection as their passion is limitless. You can see it in their glittering eyes when they speak about their favorite pieces and they cherish every ounce of knowledge and share it for the betterment of the society. Coin collectors are humble as they've explored unknown territories and heard stories that inspired them.

Age is Not a Barrier For Collecting Stamps of India

It is a very sorry state to see that we, as Indians are drifting away from our own cultures and traditions at a very fast pace. The influence of western culture on the young generation has deeply affected our heritage. There is a need to make youngsters aware about our country's richness, be it history, personalities, wildlife, or regional traditions, music, art and literature. Stamps of India represent this cultural diversity in the most beautiful way. Although, writing letters has become obsolete with the advent of technological advances in the field of communication, stamp collecting is a hobby that still survives.

Nurture Young Minds:

There is a need to encourage more and more youngsters to pursue this amazing hobby. When kids are introduced to various kinds of Indian stamps, they will get a fair idea about the important aspects of our country. After Independence, India Post has released so many wonderful stamps covering numerous themes and subjects, that you will be truly mesmerised! Children can be asked to pick up a theme of their choice and start collecting stamps in India. This will increase their general knowledge about various events from the past and personalities, multi-fold. Apart from that, the process of collecting stamps is joyous, not like reading boring school textbooks. Students will willingly want to learn about the imagery featured on stamps of India. Philately in a way, introduces a fun way to educate oneself about India's pride.

Problem with current education system:

There is no point forcing students to study just for the sake of scoring good marks in examinations. The education system in India itself needs to be revamped by making use of innovative learning tools and mediums. Philately is definitely one of those innovative tools indeed. There is no question of mugging up answers when students do their research on their own. Understanding concepts become much simpler when you are personally interested in learning something new. Moreover, things that you learn this way stay fresh in your memory for a long period of time. Education shouldn't be ideally restricted to only scoring good marks. Education is all about being aware and gaining more knowledge. Most parents pressurise their kids to score well thinking that good marks would fetch them a good job in the future. Instead they should take the initiative for helping them in collecting rare Indian stamps. When parents show kids a new exciting way of learning something new, children are quick to grasp the concepts.

The perfect website to learn about Indian stamps:

Finding the right kind of information is also essential when it comes to researching about Stamps of India. There are several websites out there where you will find data about different kinds of rare Indian stamps. The only problem with many of these websites is that the information is not well-categorised or formatted. Mintage World is a one-of-a-kind website where you will not face this problem at all. All the information you need about any Indian stamp is listed in an organised fashion. All you have to do is select the necessary category and search for data related to stamps of India based on various parameters like issue date, theme, subject etc. It is a perfect online reference guide for anybody who is looking to make an impressive collection of Indian stamps. Even if the school curriculum does not have stamp collecting as a subject, as parents you can always show your children this website from where they can gain knowledge about different kinds of Indian stamps.

It's never too late:

If you are thinking that stamp collecting is only for kids then you are wrong. There is no age to start learning something new. Collecting different stamps of India keeps you excited always. You also get a chance to meet likeminded individuals and collectors in your journey. When you network with new people, the chances of finding a new rare Indian stamp become much higher. There are some collectors who took up this hobby at a very later stage in life. The most fascinating aspect of this hobby is that there is something to look forward to in life apart from your daily mundane activities. When you go back home after a hard day at work, you can spend some good time gazing at your lovely collection of Indian stamps and reading about the subjects presented on them. The hobby keeps your mind busy in something fascinating and keeps you away from all your troubling worries. In this day and age when stress is something that you cannot avoid, collecting rare stamps of India can act as the perfect de-stress button. Also, when you have nothing to do after retirement, the hobby helps in keeping your mind active!

Stamp collection is so easy that you won't have to rack your brains to get started. Simply go to the nearest post office and check out the latest stamps of India released by India Post. No matter if you are old young, stamp collection is for each and every one! Start collecting Indian stamps right away!

Read why collecting stamps of India doesn't just increase the knowledge-base of kids but also spices up your life as you are growing older!

Journey of Ancient Indian Old Coins From Ancient Times to Colonial Period

Old Indian coins have a history that is unimaginably long and mysterious. In fact there are mentions about money and coins in ancient Indian vedic texts. But there are no strong evidences to support these statements and ensure whether they really existed in those days. Even then, Indian old coins are considered to be the oldest coins in the world. Experts and historians have debated on this topic since a long time. Some say that the Greek drachma of Aegina are the first coins while there are researchers who have said that the first that were stuck in Ephesus, Lydia in 650 BC. Ancient coins of India dates back to 6th century BC where You will find a lot of information about these online.

Doesn't really matter where the first coins of the world were struck, the matter of the fact is that Indian coins have always been extremely interesting to explore. That's the reason why collectors and numismatists from all over the world have shown so much interest in learning more about Indian old coins. Old Indian coins can be classified into three categories, namely, ancient, medieval and colonial. I go to know about this website, when I was doing my research on mughal coins. The website is easy to navigate and you will find everything you need to know about all kinds of coins of ancient India.

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Ancient Indian coins were minted when the Indian subcontinent was divided into various janapada. Each of these janapada had their own kings and emperors. Even today, coins that were issued by mauryan kings are sought after by collectors throughout the world. I had recently visited a coin exhibition which showcased very interesting collections of old Indian coins. I got a chance to buy a brilliant Chandragupta maurya coin. The moment I posted pictures of my latest addition to my collection, I started getting several enquiries about them. If it would have been someone else then he or she would have definitely made some quick bucks. But, I chose to not give in to the temptation of earning a lot of money. I am a passionate collector of coins and believe that the hobby should not be adulterated by bringing in this angle of money making. Because then, it only becomes an investment opportunity, not something that will help us keep in touch with our rich culture or roots.

When we talk about ancient coins of India that fall under medieval time period, then there are coins issued by famous emperors like Akbar, Jahangir etc. The inscriptions on mughal coinage are also extremely artistic to look at and study. There are certain collectors who are only interested in collecting, just because of their amazing designs. Who can forget the Marathas and its great warrior king, Shivaji. There are many other passionate collectors who are always on the hunt for old coins of India that were issued under the great emperor.

Then comes East India Company issues that were minted when the Britishers started creating colonies on this subcontinent. After the 1857 uprising, India came directly under the British rule and the fight for independence began. It is amazing how can reveal so much about these wonderful historical events and stories. Based on a collector's interests and likes, he or she starts collecting belonging to a particular type or era. When you talk about Indian old coins, you cannot forget about the princely state issues that were minted by various famous princely states. 

The journey of Indian coinage has been a long one indeed. From 6th Century BC to today, you get to explore so many different coins that were issued by our great rulers and kings. Passionate collectors always make it a point to keep researching and increasing their knowledge base. As the market for old Indian coins is booming, one needs to take care when it comes to understanding history for understanding the rarity of a particular old coin of India. Otherwise you might end up paying a higher value for a coin which is not that rare in reality. There are several dealers who make loads of profit by selling old Indian coins. It is always preferred to check with an expert before going ahead and buying an expensive old Indian coin. Research is the key for improving your knowledge. Apart from that, as a collector you must keep attending seminars and lectures on old Indian coins by great numismatists. This is bound to give you a whole new perspective.

The journey of Indian coinage explained in brief that will help collectors who are passionate about collecting Ancient Indian Old Coins.

Three Categories of Indian Notes That Every Collector Needs to Know

 Note Collectors or notaphilists who are new to notes of India, need to have a basic understanding about the different categories. Let's quickly go through the three main categories of notes in India, so that you have a clear direction and vision before you start putting together a collection.

Early Notes of India:

Private and semi-government banks like the Bank of Hindostan, the General Bank in Bengal and Bahar, the Bengal Bank issued some of the oldest Indian note in the 18th century. These notes were issued for three presidencies namely, Bengal, Bombay and Madras, for ease of administration. Old notes of India issued by Bank of Bengal featured designs only on one side and were termed as Uniface Notes. Commerce Notes featuring an allegorical female figure personifying 'commerce' were issued later with designs on both sides. Urdu, Bengali and Devanagari languages were used on these rare note of India. Note belonging to the Britannia series with better security features and complex designs were issued by the end of the 19th century. Bank of Bombay issued early Indian note from 1850 to 1860 and they featured Town Hall of Bombay, statues of Sir Mountstraut Elphinstone and Sir John Malcom. The Bank of Madras was established in 1843 by merging Carnatic Bank (Est. 1788), the Madras Bank (Est. 1795) and the Asiatic Bank (Est. 1804). Madras Bank was the first bank in India which issued old Indian notes from 1682. Bank of Madras notes depicted Sir Thomas Munroe, Governor of Madras.

5 Rupees Bombay Presidency Note

British India Notes:

After the Paper Currency Act of 1861 became effective, the Government took the complete responsibility of issuing notes in India. Presidency Banks became agents for the issue. Currency Circles were introduced to prevent liquidation. The agreements with Presidency Banks were terminated in 1897 and the Government took complete control. Currency note of India from the Victoria Portrait Series featured uniface designs and were printed on handmade paper manufactured at the Laverstock Paper Mills. These old notes of India were cut into half. The first half was sent to the receiver and the second half was sent again after the receipt was confirmed. The Underprint Series was introduced in 1867 with better security features to combat counterfeiting activities. The very first Indian notes from the King's Portrait Series were introduced in May 1923 featuring a portrait of King George V. All British India notes issued after this featured this design. The Currency Note Press in Nasik started printing currency notes in India from 1928. The Reserve Bank of India became the controller of Currency in 1935. Security features were improved further and multicolour printing was also used. Notes depicting a portrait of Edward VIII were supposed to be printed in 1937. But Edward was abdicated from the throne and notes featuring the portrait of King George VI were issued in 1938.

100 Rupees Portrait Note of Queen Victoria

Republic India Notes:

The reserve bank of India continued to issue extant notes even after independence until the republic of India was formed on 26th January 1950. The designs for the very first republic India notes bore the denomination 1 rupee and were issued in the year 1949. Initially, it was almost decided that these notes of India would feature a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. However, at the last moment, a design featuring the Lion Capital at Sarnath was chosen. Hindi language was highlighted on notes in India from 1953. Rs 1,000, Rs. 5,000, Rs. 10,000 were introduced again in 1954. The note size was reduced in 1967 to cut costs as the country was facing an economic downfall. A special commemorative series featuring a seated Gandhi and Sevagram Ashram in the background was released in 1969 to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Rs. 20 and Rs. 50 notes were issued in 1972 and 1975, respectively. High denomination notes were abolished in 1972. Themes like Science & Technology, Progress, Farm Mechanisation, Indian Art were highlighted through the designs featured on notes of India from the 1980s. Rupee 500 note with a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi was introduced in 1987 to support the rising economy of India. The 'Mahatma Gandhi Series' with better security features was introduced in 1996.

1 Rupee Banknote of Republic India

The currency notes of India has witnessed a lot of changes in terms of designs, denominations and security features. By closely studying the different categories of Indian notes, you will be able to create an exciting collection indeed!

Coin India - Simplify Your research by Understanding Basic Categories

 Considering the vastness of Indian Numismatics, it is very important for young collectors to break it down into basic categories so that it becomes much easier to explore the enormous varieties of Indian coins. If you are looking for the right start, then read on, this is the perfect snapshot for you!

Ancient Coins of India:

In the 6th Century BCE, the Indian subcontinent was divided into 22 different Janapadas and each Janapada issued coins of their own. Ancient Indian coin issued by Gandhara Janapada are considered to be some of the earliest coins of the world. These were rectangular silver coin which featured a six-armed symbol at both ends of one side. The other side of these ancient coins of India was left blank. These historic coin were minted using the punch-marked technique. Coming to ancient Indian empires and kingdoms, the Gupta Empire issued some of the most beautiful coins in India from 320 AD to 550 AD. When it comes to South India, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas and Pallavas were some of the most powerful dynasties who also issued various types of ancient Indian coin. Then came the coins of Ancient Invaders like Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythian, Kushans, Indo-Parthians etc. These amazing coins depict the unique cultures and traditions that these invaders followed.

Medieval India Coins:

When we talk about Indian coins, nobody can miss out on the wonderful coin that were issued by powerful and legendary emperors such as Akbar, Shivaji Maharaj, Tupu Sultan etc. Medieval India coin can be broadly classified into five major groups. Coin issued by the Sultans, the Mughals, Independent Kingdoms, Princely States and Hindu Kingdoms. Coins issued by the Sultans and Mughals featured Persian legends. Some of them even featured beautiful couplets like the ones issued by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Coins issued by Shivaji Maharaj were called as Shivrai. Introducing a new denomination at a time when the Mughals were extremely powerful is considered to be a great achievement. During Shivaji Maharaj's coronation, special Shivrai coins were minted in gold. These gold coin are extremely rare and are sold at auction houses all across the globe.

Colonial India Coins:

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, several European powers started exploiting trading opportunities in India. The most successful of them was the British East India Company who gradually started imposing their power and eventually, India was declared as the official colony of Britain. Initially, coins in India were issued by the East India Company for different circles like the Bengal Presidency, Bombay Presidency and Madras Presidency. After the revolt of 1857, British India coin were officially issued under the Queen's reign. These amazing colonial coin featured a portrait of the Queen or King on one side with the denomination an year of issue on the other side. Apart from British East India Company, several other trading companies like the Dutch East India Company, Danish East India Company, French East India Company and Portugal also issued different kinds of coins in India.

Republic India Coins:

Finally, Republic India coins are the ones that are issued by the Government of India after independence in 1947. Old British India coin were circulated as frozen currency until the first coin of republic India were issued in the year 1950. These Indian coins belonged to the Anna Series. Some of them were struck in different shapes like Square and Scalloped. The decimal coinage was adopted in the year 1957, after which both decimal as well as pre-decimal coin were circulated together for a short period of time. The 2 pice coins issued between 1957 and 1964 featured the legend "Naya Paisa" to differentiate them with the ones of the same denomination that were issued earlier.

The history of Indian coin is so vast that it is impossible to learn everything at one go. You will have to select a category and then dive deep into it, by covering one dynasty/ kingdom at a time. By following this procedure, you will get a fair idea about our glorious past.

Simplify the study of Coins of India by exploring the broad categories of Indian coinage in brief. If you are looking to pursue Indian numismatics seriously, this article is exactly what you need to get started. Understand the basics of Indian coinage so that you can research about the innumerable varieties of coins systematically.

Coin Collecting Supplies is a Blessing in Disguise For Numismatists

However, coin collecting is a tedious task and many perform a brilliant job at getting their hands on ancient or rare coins. But, sometimes, these coin lovers get so engrossed in their job that they forget to take care of their valuable collection. Coin collecting supplies are really beneficial to increase the life of coins, keeping them safe from dust, dirt, moisture and rust.

Therefore, it is really important to invest in coin collecting supplies; otherwise disaster just waits to happen. Savior your precious gems by purchasing really useful coin collecting accessories, in order to showcase it to your family and friends. It is definitely not an easy job to become a numismatist as there are so many struggles attached with the job, but the smooth part of the job is preserving your collection. Wouldn't you feel nice when people from around the world would appreciate you for your effort to collect coins? We are sure you would. Hence, it is necessary to protect them with the help of coin albums. It has been observed that collectors take great pride in doing all the things possible to maintain their coins, although there are a handful of people, who are laidback and instead of using coin collecting accessories, prefer using home accessories.

Always be careful of things such as plastic jars or boxes to protect coins as these materials instead of being a shield, can damage them. Therefore, experts always recommend using coin capsules to give your valuable items a safe home. Professionals, who are in the field since ages, clearly cherish their antique pieces as they carry a handsome value in the numismatic market. These coins should definitely be stored in coin storage boxes because if these items are placed in a haphazard manner in a random place, can cause serious problems.

So aspiring collectors, who want to make a name for themselves should be prepared to superlatively work hard and should possess a keen eye for detail. Also, it is really vital for them to secure their collection by going online and purchasing the best coin holders. The online market is a paradise for coin lovers because there are numerous items available at a reasonable price. Enthusiasts should make full use of this opportunity and buy coin pages that are ideal to secure your coins. And there are many new websites that offer a wide range of affordable coin collecting accessories are among the top items that are sold at an affordable price.

So, don't worry and be happy as there is a true savior for your coins. All you have to do is choose the right product that suits your budget and give your valuable pieces a shelter for life.

What Makes Stamps in India So Popular Among Philatelists

From the earliest Indian stamps to the latest ones based on intriguing themes, there is more than one reason to start collecting stamps of India. Let's find out what makes these stamps so fascinating.

Earliest Stamps of India:

The earliest Indian stamps were called as Scinde Dawk and were issued for the Sindh region on 1st July 1852. The word "Dawk" came from the Hindi word "Dak" which translates to "Post". These rare Indian postage stamps are considered to be the first ones to be issued in entire Asia. They bore the denomination one-half anna and consisted of red sealing wax with an embossed design. These circular stamps are have a very high market value as it's believed that less than 100 such stamps exist today. Since these stamps disintegrated quickly, they were replaced by a colourless design embossed on white paper. Towards the end, a blue embossing was applied on white paper.

First Stamps of Independent India:

The very first Indian stamp issued after our country got independence from the British regime on 15th August 1947, featured the Indian flag with the famous slogan "Jai Hind". They bore the denomination three and a half Annas and were meant for use only for foreign correspondence. These republic India stamps were released on 21st November 1947. The second stamp featuring the Ashokan Lions capital bore a denomination of one and a half annas and was issued for domestic use. A fifteen rupees stamp was issued on the second anniversary of India's independence on 15th August 1949 featuring the famous Satrunjaya, Jain temple complex near Palitana.

Rare Indian Stamps:

When it comes to rare stamps of India, the most famous one is the 10 rupees postage stamp featuring Mahatma Gandhi that was issued on 15th August 1948. A set of 100 such stamps were overprinted with the world "SERVICE" and were handed over the Governor General of India for official use only. These Indian rare stamps have been auctioned for thousands of rupees by auction houses all around the world. The inverted Head 4 Annas stamp issued in 1854 is another beauty to look out for. The portrait of Queen Victoria on his stamp is incorrectly printed in an inverted position and the error was discovered only in 1890. Experts believe that only 28 such stamps exist today.

Interesting Themes:

Modern stamps of India are based on numerous interesting themes as our country is known for its rich diversity. From cultures, traditions, languages, art to monuments, climate, natural wonders, wildlife, history and prominent personalities, a lot of subjects have been explored through Indian stamps over the years. Every postage stamp of India sheds light on various aspects about our country's evolution in various fields as science and technology, education, apart from other important milestones. Through the study of these Indian stamps youngsters can learn a lot about our country's identity and vibrant past.

Image Courtesy: mintageworld.com

Tips for Young Collectors:

As parents, you should encourage your kids to start building a collection of old Indian stamps. You can also take them to stamp exhibitions and seminars that keep happening around your city. By networking with like-minded collectors, they will certainly increase their knowledge in the long run. You can also let them join various types of communities and local clubs so that they maintain their interest levels in the hobby. Finally, you should also make them realise the importance of safeguarding their collection from any kind of dust or moisture by storing them in quality stamp albums.

Collecting stamps in India is always a satisfying experience for all collectors as there are so many interesting varieties to explore. So dive deep into the world of philately and start collecting right away!

Read and understand several fascinating aspects about stamps in India and their evolution. From the very first Scinde Dawk issue to the first Indian stamp after independence featuring the national flag to the latest colourful issues based on mesmerising themes, find out what makes Indian stamps so popular among philatelists.