Good Quality Coin Collecting Accessories Matter to Better Collectors

They say you should respect and take care of your most priced belongings. A passionate coin collector invests his or her heart and soul into their hobby. Their collection means the world to them. Even a not-so-rare coin could have a special place in their heart. A true collector will always make it a point to invest in the right kind of coin collecting supplies. You will find many local brands which offer different types of coin collecting accessories. What differentiates local brands from other international brands is the quality of products. Branded coin collecting supplies like coin albums, coin pages, coin capsules, coin holders and coin storage boxes are definitely more durable. You will not have to worry about buying these coin collecting accessories for the next five to ten years. What would you rather prefer? Buying cheap coin collecting supplies once in a few months or investing in more durable quality coin collecting accessories? If you are smart enough, you will surely make a wise decision.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

There are many amateur collectors out there who are very careless. They wouldn’t realise their mistake till they lose their precious collection. Besides that, when coins are constantly in contact with moisture or dust, they lose their original lustre due to oxidation. This is a frequent phenomenon when it comes to silver coins. You might have also noticed that silver ornaments lose their lustre with time due to oxidation. If you do not take appropriate measures at the right time, then your coins would end up looking really ugly. And when that happens you wouldn’t be proud of showcasing your collection to anybody around you. I would advice to all those young and new collectors out there to buy good quality coin albums, coin pages, coin capsules, coin holders or coin storage boxes based on your requirements if they don’t want to repent later on. Moreover, if you still have the habit of storing coins in a haphazard way, the chances of losing them is much higher. If you are a responsible collector your will take the pains of arranging your collecting of coins in a systematic way based on themes, denominations etc.

If you really want to take this hobby seriously and want to go a long way in the field of numismatics then don’t think twice before buying the right kind of coin accessories for your collection. Like every child deserves a loving mother, coins too deserve your love and affection.

Why understanding historical significance of Rare Coins in India is essential?

Have you ever wondered why antique coins of India have a lot of respect among numismatic communities all over the world? That’s purely because of the rich historical stories that these antique Indian coins carry along with them. Even though the value of a coin majorly depends on its rarity and condition, there are several instances where the rarest coins of India have been sold for impressive amounts just because of their historical significance. That’s the reason why, every collector should be keen on researching about the historical facts hidden behind these coins. The more you dive into our glorious past, the more you would be amazed! Apart from ancient Indian coins, rare coins of British India and colonial coins have been in the spotlight for quite some time in the numismatic communities now. Being an Indian collector, you should definitely make the most of these wonderful opportunities. Collectors are willing to invest a lot of money into them since they can be easily sold for a higher value, a few years down the line.

You should always be wary of distributors who claim to offer the rarest coins of India. Only if you analyze them deeply, you might find out that they are not so rare. It is always better to take advice from well-known and experienced collectors before investing in expensive antique Indian coins. Expert numismatists can easily make out whether a coin is actually rare or not, since they are backed with sound knowledge about history. You wouldn’t want to put in thousands of rupees into so-called “rare coins of British India” and later realize that their actual market value is not that high.  
Apart from British Indian coins, there are many interesting colonial coins that were issued by other colonies that were established in India like Dutch, Portuguese and French. Many of these antique coins of India are highly sought after by collectors and investors alike. So follow the mantra of understanding history before adding new coins to your collection!

Coins of the world: Watching history through new eyes

Each country has an identity. This identity is defined primarily by that nation’s history. The world is thousands of centuries old and human civilizations started blossoming after a later stage. Human beings are social animals who like living in communities. During stone-age, human beings used to rely on hunting. They later started inventing many new things, including cultivation or agriculture. Barter system was used in the ancient times for exchanging goods. Soon, there was a need to come up with a standard monetary system to buy or sell goods. The earliest coins of the world is supposedly the Lydian Lion from present-day Turkey which were issued from around 600 to 610 BC. These amazing coins preceded Ancient Greek coinage and from there the journey of coins from around the world began. Each king/ emperor or dynasty issued coins for their own territory. They featured unique motifs and symbols that were somewhere related to their kingdom. After a point in history, coins of the world were struck with portraits of kings in different postures. They also featured inscriptions that praised these kings or emperors. 

Coins from around the world are the perfect mediums through which you can traverse back in time. Historians have traced various historical events, successions and conquests based on their research on valuable coins from around the time. Numismatists from across the globe have conducted various studies and researches to demystify those unknown aspects of history. Dating is a process in numismatics using which you can arrive at an approximate age of coins of the world. In one way, these coins from around the world act like time-stamps for identifying various events from the past. That’s the reason why coin collection is one of the most popular hobbies you would find anywhere. This definitely is a more exciting and unique way of learning history, far better than mugging up history text books!

How I found my calling by collecting Old Indian Coins

5 years back, I was a boring man with no particular interests in life. The moment I was introduced to the hobby of collecting old Indian coins, my life changed for the better drastically. I was pursuing a normal day job in the IT industry with a decent salary. I had everything in terms of material possessions and comforts, but I felt incomplete deep within. I was constantly searching for something that would make me happy internally. There was a sense of unrest within me when I realized that there was no meaning to the life I was leading. I had no sense of direction really with every passing day.

One day, my uncle showed me his collection of ancient Indian coins and my eyes lit up. He kept sharing the historical significance of the collection of old Indian coins that he had built over a period of ten long years.  The more we talked about Indian old coins, the more I was fascinated by them. I borrowed one the ancient Indian coins from my uncle to start my own collection. Suddenly, I started having something to look forward to in life. After a long day at work, I used to think of ways in which I could easily grow my collection of Indian old coins. I searched for websites and online communities and started engaging in worthy conversations with fellow collectors from all over the world. I also started devoting some time for researching about all kinds of old Indian coins.  Slowly and steadily, I not only started growing my collection of ancient coins of India but also started improving my knowledge about them.

I found a new direction in life as soon as I started indulging completely in this amazing hobby. I am much happier now since I think I have found my inner calling in Old Coins of India.

Quality Banknote Accessories can make your Hobby more Profitable

We see banknotes numerous times in our day to day transactions and activities. But, very few of us take the effort to look at them closely. Notaphilists and note collectors have a sharp eye and can notice unique banknotes very quickly even from a distance. There is a huge community of collectors who make a lot of money through this hobby. So if you thought that it’s going to be easy, you are wrong. You need to be dedicated as a collector and need to inculcate the value of patience. That’s because you might have to wait for several years to own a note that you have always dreamt of owning. Apart from that, you need to start investing in the right kind of banknote collecting supplies so that you keep your collection safe from any kind of damage. The condition of your banknotes is a crucial characteristic when it comes to market value. Notes that are crisp and fresh will fetch you a far better amount than notes of the same type which are soiled or folded. In a way, banknote accessories like a banknote album or banknote sleeves are essential for every passionate collector.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

The first thing that every collector looks for in banknotes is the rarity and condition. Even if your notes are old and rare, but are not in good condition, they wouldn’t carry a great market value. So always make it a point to buy affordable banknote collecting supplies that will take good care of your valuable collection. Since notes are made of paper, it starts degrading over a period of time. Even though you cannot completely stop this degradation process, you can definitely slow it down if you keep them away from moisture and dust. What’s the use if you have invested thousands of rupees in buying an interesting banknote but have not stored them in banknote accessories like banknote sleeves? You are in fact running the risk of lowering its value further. Forget earning profits, you might end up losing a lot of money when you are trying to sell it. To avoid such experiences, you must always store your priceless collection of banknotes in banknote collecting supplies.

There are many special stores where you would find these accessories. Since we are living in the age of internet, you can also look out for websites where you can buy banknote accessories online. Go for the top brands, as the quality of local brands cannot be trusted. I had once bought local banknote sleeves which tore within a few months time. Sometimes you don’t even realise when they tear and might have to regret after your notes are already damaged. It is a good practice to look for a branded banknote album which is not only durable but is also value for money. Investing a few hundred rupees more is far better than bearing the loss of a few thousand rupees.

Interesting Modern Coins of India to Look Out for as a Collector!

When it comes to numismatics and coin collection in India, ancient, medieval and colonial coins are more popularly collected. That’s majorly because these old coins of India have a historical significance. There is a perception that collecting modern Indian coins is not as exciting as collecting ancient Indian coins. That’s not really the case. There are several types of commemorative coins that you can look out for when it comes to modern coins of India. Modern Indian coins can be broadly classified into two types – the Anna series and decimal coinage. There are many rare modern coins in India as well, since their mintage limit was low. Even though the historical significance of modern coins of India could be low, rarity is something that makes them an interesting addition to your collection.

Did you know that even after India’s independence on 15th August 1947, old British coins were used as frozen currency? 1/2 Re, 1/4 Re, 2 Anna, 1 Anna, 1/2 Anna & 1 Pice coins introduced in 1950, belong to the Anna series.  India shifted to decimal coinage in the year 1957. Modern coins of India that were issued between 1957 and 1964 had the legend “Naya Paisa” on them.  In 1964, modern Indian coins of the denomination 3 paisa were introduced while in 1968, 20 paisa coins were introduced. Both these denominations were not popular. Famous Indian personalities, leaders and historic events have been celebrated with the issue of commemorative modern Indian coins. Look for coins unique commemorative coins that have a low mintage as they would be rarer and more sought after among collectors. 

There is another group of modern Indian coins that you can look out for – error coins! Error coins generally have a great market value since they are unique and extremely rare. But beware of dealers who sell fake error coins by deforming coins intentionally. Also, unlike ancient coins or medieval coins, chances of finding interesting modern Indian coins are higher. 

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.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

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.

Unique themes to look out in Stamps of India

There are many ways in which you can study about India’s rich culture, history and tradition. The best way would be to collect stamps of India because they reflect different aspects of our past in a colorful way. For collectors who are interested in unique themes, Indian stamps are a dream to collect. Themes like important personalities, events, inventions etc are featured on rare Indian stamps. Over the years, the market for old Indian Stamps has increased due to the kind of unique themes that they follow. One of the themes is horses of India, another one depicts Himalayan flowers. There is a beautiful set of Indian stamps that portrays the evolution of Indian railways through the ages. Locomotive engines are also depicted on another set of lovely stamps in India. Some of the rare Indian stamps featuring Mahatma Gandhi have been sold for an impressive amount. Apart from rarity, the condition of stamps also matters when it comes to auctions. Avoid adding folded or soiled stamps to your collection, since other collectors wouldn’t be too keen on acquiring them.

India post keeps coming up with unique themes and topics. This maintains the excitement levels of those who collect stamps in India. PM Narendra Modi recently released a set of stamps depicting various aspects of Lord Rama and Ramayana, one of the greatest Indian epics. Then there are scented stamps of India which come with the odour of sandalwood, coffee and jasmine. If you are interested in collecting unique and rare Indian stamps, these amazing scented stamps would be a great add on for your collection. Generally, all stamps are either square shaped or rectangular. There are some uniquely shaped stamps in India like the hexagonal stamp featuring turtles. It is really an ocean out there if you are interested in collecting stamps of India. Keep looking out for these wonderful stamps and add value to your collection.

How study of coins from around the world can bring countries closer

We have all become so self-obsessed that we love living in our own small world. Nobody today wants to explore and go beyond the obvious. In times like these, when climate change and terrorism has affected most of us, there is a constant need to be compassionate towards other countries, traditions, religions and ideologies. For that to happen, one needs to open up horizons and start learning about world history. This will help us in understanding where certain thought processes emerge from and where the future of a particular country is headed. Studying coins of the world is a great way to closely understand world history. Coins from around the world give us a fair idea about the kings and emperors who ruled a particular location. It also helps us identify cultural as well as traditional influences that might have occurred due to invasions and conquests.
 
Many think that collecting world of coins is merely a pastime. It is definitely not the case for serious and passionate collectors of coins of the world. They are keener on understanding and analyzing the historical significance behind world coin collection. There is another set of collectors who are only interested in investing in valuable coins from around the world, simply to make some quick money. There should always be a larger motive behind collecting coins from around the world. By studying coins of the world you are bringing people from different countries together. There can be nothing better than uniting the world through a fun-filled hobby!

It is only when we start accepting each other as citizens of one world that we will realise the true importance of peace. Communal hatred and wars have destroyed nations completely taking the lives of thousands of innocent people every day. We need to draw the line somewhere and start respecting people and their beliefs, the way they are.  

Currency Notes of India are a reflection of our country’s past!

There are different ways in which you can study the evolution of a country like India. One of those ways is by studying Currency Notes of India , right from the time when they were first issued. Old notes of India include the ones that were issued by princely states like Hyderabad as well. Then there were some Indian Notes that were circulated by the different presidencies like Bombay, Madras and Bengal. These notes were valid only in specific territories that were created by the British East India Company for the ease of administration. Currency Notes in India also feature special security features that have changed with time. The latest notes of India come with world-class security features that reduce counterfeiting to a great extent. When you start collecting and learning about Indian Notes from different time periods, you get to analyze the economic situation during those days.

Only passionate collectors of Old Notes of India will understand the true joy of the hobby. Yes, you can make a lot of money by collecting Rare Notes of India, but money is not the only thing you should expect from the hobby. The sheer knowledge that you gain from pursuing a hobby like this is absolutely priceless. Apart from the historical significance behind Currency Notes in India, there are some collectors who are interesting in collecting Indian Notes which feature special serial numbers. These Notes of India are given different names like solid number note, super solid number note etc. based on the kind of serial number that the banknote features. You won’t always find historic Indian Notes. You have to be patient and look out for modern Rare Notes of India with special kind of serial numbers. That’s how you keep the excitement levels high in this hobby!
So get going and start collecting!
   

How Postcard Accessories are valuable to a collector

Memories are to be cherished as no one ever wants them to fade away. Postcards are one of those things that are truly personal, they are feelings and emotions wrapped in a thick paper that have the capability to touch hearts. There are many people who collect postcards from different countries that are significant in their own special way. Some have interesting designs while some beautifully depict a country’s culture and tradition. But sometimes, people can get a little careless and may lose their postcards and therefore it becomes very important to have postcard accessories by your side.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com

Postcard collectors highly value their postcards and try different types of postcard accessories to preserve their collection. Travelers of the world always get fascinated by foreign countries, their cultures, traditions, customs and their history. However, postcards also play an important role in showcasing a country’s true character. Thus, it becomes very necessary to take care of them and this gives rise to postcard albums to guard them. New methods are always cropping up to safeguard postcards and even the online market has a wide range of products to preserve postcards. One way of ensuring your postcards remain safe is by using postcard plastic pockets.

Postcard collecting supplies are available online at an amazing price, making it a sort of a paradise for postcard collectors. Therefore, collectors should not delay any further and buy all the best quality postcard collecting supplies before it’s too late. The online market definitely offers a lot to its consumers as they truly understand how valuable accessories are to them. These accessories are really of durable quality and they can withstand anything. Hence, prioritize all your postcards and nurture them with care. Some people are truly passionate about their collection and leave no stone unturned in exploring different postcards of the world. It is just not a hobby anymore; it has become an intense passion. So, aspiring postcard collectors give your hobby wings and you’ll see how far you can fly. Also, make sure your postcards are well protected. 

Why are Stamps of India so Popular?

There are many reasons why collectors from around the world love collecting Stamps of India. Being a country which is so diverse in terms of culture, traditions and history, there are a wide range of topics that are covered through Indian stamps. Youngsters can easily upgrade their knowledge about our country by studying old Indian stamps in detail. There are many stamps of India that celebrate your freedom fighters while there are many others which showcase the rich wildlife of our nation. If you are a topical collector then there are varied subjects that can be touched upon. Apart from that, there are some rare Indian stamps which have been sold for impressive rates by auction houses across the world. This shows the genuine interest among collectors for enhancing their collection of rare stamps of India. So, whenever you get a chance, add old Indian stamps to your collection and do what you can to protect them.

If you are a first time stamp collector, the best way to start collecting Indian stamps is by heading straight to the post office. You can take a look at the latest releases and select the ones which you like the most. All you will have to do is pay the postal rates. Once you can added your first set of old Indian stamps to your collection, you can start building your network by connecting with like-minded collectors. There are so many online groups and social media communities out there, that talking to someone from the other end of the world also seems extremely easy. You can then step out and visit those exhibitions which display rare Indian stamps to learn more about them. You could also refer books on philately where you might find some handy tips for collecting stamps in India. The options are limitless really; all you need are good intent, passion, discipline and patience!

Why are Old Indian Coins so desired among collectors?

Exhibitions and auction houses all over the world are always very excited about showcasing ancient Old Indian Coins. Have you ever wondered why? That’s because Indian Old Coins have rich historical stories behind them. If you have an old coin of India in your collection, then you should consider yourself to be extremely lucky. The value of Old Indian Coins appreciates over a period of time, depending on rarity and condition. Coins which are in great condition but are not very rare might not fetch you much in the future. That’s the reason why when you are looking to buy ancient Indian Coins, always check if they are rare. For that, you must accumulate a lot of knowledge about ancient Coins of India. There are several online portals where you can find Information on Old Indian Coins. Mintage World is one of the best websites where you can find well-categorized information about all kinds of Old Coins India. Once you know about the historical significance of an old coin of India, you have a better advantage over other dealers and collectors who simply collect coins.

The next point you should consider after rarity is condition. Rare Old Indian Coins with a clean strike and lustre is far more desired than ordinary ones. Since many Ancient Indian Coins were die struck, it is very difficult to find coins that depict obverse and reverse designs in totality. Silver coins generally have a tendency to oxidize when they come in contact with moisture in the air. It is always advised to place these coins inside good quality coin holders so that they remain fresh as ever. You wouldn’t want to face a situation where an interesting old coin of India that you posses loses its market value due to oxidation.
Last but not the least, even if you are looking to collect old Indian coins just as an investment, it is crucial to keep acquiring knowledge from time to time.