Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> United States Notes

Paper money has a long and varied history that dates back centuries. Although we are used to dealing with paper money on a constant basis it was not too long ago that it wasn’t even used. Let’s take a look at the history of paper money so that you can gain a better appreciation of the money you use today. It’s one of the easiest ways of spending, but it wasn’t always that way.

Originally, paper money was developed by the Chinese, who called it “flying money.” This was due to the fact that the paper used was incredibly frail and light weight. If you didn’t have a good grip on it, it could easily be blown out of your hand by a strong gust of wind, hence the nickname. It can be dated back to around the ninth century, but there are some instances and some evidence that point to paper money being around as early as the eighth century.

Instead of having an actual standard, like today’s money, the first paper money was backed just by your signature and how much you had in the bank. In that way, it was very much like a check that we would use today. This is also where the term bank drafts came into play, even back hundreds of years ago. It wasn’t until many centuries later that a standard was developed in Asia for paper money and at that time, it’s worth was solidified by silk.

Eventually, the use of paper money dwindled, especially during the Ming period in China, when the notes became worth a set amount of money, making them harder to spend, especially on the daily necessities of life. It wasn’t until the middle ages that it would again be put into use, and even then, it took until the late 1800’s for paper money to become standard.

Today, we don’t think twice about whipping out a bill here or there, but in ancient times, paper money was quite rare. There are records of paper money being used in the colonies of the United States, but coins were generally used more and of course, gold and silver were quite common. That is now flipped, with the vast majority of people all over the world using paper instead of coins.

However, the introduction of credit and debit cards has hit the paper money market hard. Fewer people are using it and as a result, we may be going backwards in time a bit. While coin money may never become quite popular again, it is clear that our reliance on paper money is definitely dwindling. This has created quite a market for collectors interested in finding unique notes.

While you may not be able to get your hands on a paper note made in China from the 900’s, you can certainly find European, American and Russian notes that are quite valuable. The best place to find collectible paper money is at a coin shop or at an online auction.

Photo Credits: AMagill

Originally posted 2008-10-05 00:27:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors

Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry tiny mirrors with us, they’re one of the most common items found households today. But antique mirrors are set apart by their frames and the work and artistry that went into them.

Mirrors began as hand mirrors, used to look at one’s reflection, and were quite common in households by the end of the middle ages. The first large mirrors, big enough to reflect a person’s entire body, weren’t used until the 1st century AD. Often the mirrors were silver or polished bronze during their surge of popularity in the middle ages. Venice mirrors produced in the 12th and 13th century were of exceptional quality and craftsmanship, with their mirror-making secrets leaking to London and Paris, who became centers of mirror production in the 17th century. Few antique mirrors had survived, but even the new mirrors that were produced were very expensive, particularly the large ones used in places like the royal palace at Versailles.

From then on, mirrors became more than reflective pieces of glass, but rather were prized as decorative items. Frames were typically made from silver, ebony, ivory, tortoiseshell or veneered wood, though other frames like those from beads or crafted with needlework were produced, too. Carved frames became popular thanks to craftsmen like Grinling Gibbons, and soon it because vogue to put mirrors, often those in glass frames, above mantelpieces. Robert and James Adam are recognizable names from this period, as antique mirrors they designed usually stretched from the mantelpiece to the ceiling.

Antique mirrors from the late 18th century will often have painted frames rather than carved ones. And the movement began in France to creative oval or round mirrors with spots for candles on each side. Dressing mirrors made from cheval glass that stood alone also appeared as mirror-makers skills improved. The 19th century saw mirrors used in other furniture like wardrobes, because it was becoming less expensive to produce mirrors. Composition frames became common in less expensive mirrors. These were plaster frames on wire bases, that unfortunately didn’t hold up to long term use because of he easily damaged nature of plaster.

Antique mirrors that you can find today are typically valuable, especially those that are part of antique furniture. Things to watch out for are online auctioneers who use the world “antique” to describe a technique used in making the mirror, like antiquing as a finish. Ask about the history of the piece, and how they know it’s antique, because modern furniture can be made to look surprisingly aged and vintage. If you’re shopping flea markets or antique shops, be aware that a true antique mirror was made with more expensive materials than mirrors today. The glass is thicker, so antique mirrors weight much more than modern pieces.

Photo Credits: Nat Pikozh

Originally posted 2008-10-18 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Antique jewelry is a wonderful collectible that is not only valuable, but also very beautiful. Whether you are a fan of precious stones, interesting settings or you just have a love of everything vintage, buying antique jewelry is a lot of fun and there are many pieces out there that are beyond compare. When you’re looking for antique jewelry there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

Is the piece authentic?

If someone is trying to sell you an “authentic” ruby ring with a stone the size of an egg, and they are claiming it is real, it is vital to check. As an example, many “ruby” rings from the Middle Ages were actually made of glass, while others are the much more valuable spinel stone. It is important to have an independent jeweler or laboratory examine the stone, especially if it is a very expensive piece. Always err on the side of caution and make sure that you are dealing with a seller that you can trust.

What is the condition of the piece?

Some antique jewelry pieces can be restored, but there will be a few that are beyond repair. Take a hard look at the piece and see if it’s overly tarnished, cracked, missing stones or otherwise imperfect. If it is, the value of the piece will be greatly diminished. Unless you truly love the jewelry and you’re not buying as a collector, it is best to go with one that is in near perfect condition.

Know your Stones

While you don’t need to go to gemology school, it is a good idea to know a little bit about gem stones if you are interested in antique jewelry. There are many similar stones out there and the value can drop greatly from one to the other. For example, a white spinel looks like a very beautiful diamond, but it is not worth as much. It is also important to know when you are dealing with fakes, as well as stones that have been treated. Many amethysts, rubies, and emeralds are heat treated in order to achieve the desired depth of color. While this makes the piece look better, it does not add value.

Shop in the right places

If you’re looking for great deals on antique jewelry, estate auctions are a great place to start. You’ll have access to art deco pieces that are very rare, as well as many unique pieces that may have been custom made. Pawn shops will occasionally have some antique jewelry, but the prices may be over-inflated and the pieces may not be authentic. Online auctions are a great solution when you’re shopping for jewelry and they provide access to pieces that would otherwise be very hard to find.

No matter what kind of antique jewelry you’re interested in, browsing through online auction stores is like visiting the world’s best candy store, full of surprises.

Photo Credits: Le Petit Poulailler

Originally posted 2008-10-06 05:00:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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