September 17th, 2009 — Ancient Coins, Coin Collecting, Greek Coins, Morgan Silver Dollar, Rare Coins
There is something very special about rare coins. No matter where in the world they came from, they usually have a very rich history and collectors will search to the ends of the earth to find that special rare coin that will complete their collection. Many of these coins will go at a premium price at auction, worth far more than they ever were when they were in circulation. Let’s look at a few of the different types of rare coins.
First up, you have rare coins from ancient civilizations. Whether it was an early coin from Mesopotamia, a Grecian coin or a Roman coin, these are usually the most valuable. However, they are also the ones that may be copied. If you see a lot of coins and the seller claims that they are all authentic, but the price seems too low, you may want to rethink your purchase. Truly ancient rare coins are typically very expensive. It is all too easy nowadays to replicate these coins and mass produce them.
Next, look for coins that are oddly shaped or made from rare materials. This shows that they were handmade and are typically older in origin. These are not very easy to find, but Greek coins are the perfect example of this. These rare coins were handmade and will frequently be just a little off of perfect. Some may even include the maker’s signature or mark, and these are very valuable indeed.
Other rare coins that are fun to collect coincide with specific eras in history. For example, many collectors look for coins produced during the French Revolution. This was the time period when the first Marianne’s were made, and they are incredibly collectible. Other examples would include confederate coins, from the US civil war, or coins that were produced by governments that are now extinct.
Whenever you are shopping for rare coins, it also pays to look for any errors that may be present. These are usually incredibly valuable, and although they are hard to find, it is very special when you do come across one. Examples of error coins include coins that are missing something from a design, or ones that may have blatant errors. Examining coins for these flaws is always interesting.
The rare coins that are the most valuable are usually the ones where only a few are left. Using the Morgan Silver dollar as an example, there is one variety where only a handful are accounted for. This gives collectors a challenge and the ability to experience the thrill of the hunt as they try to uncover that incredibly rare coin.
If you have not yet begun collecting rare coins, it’s a good idea to start thinking about which era or type of coin you might be interested in. For example, many collectors start off by picking the year they were born, or the coin that commemorates an event that is special to them. Once you get started with rare coin collecting, you’ll see just how exciting this hobby can be.
Originally posted 2008-08-29 05:00:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 16th, 2009 — Chinese Paper Money, paper money
The Chinese actually invented paper money, and the process of making it dates back to the early 9th century. Collectors are always seeking Chinese paper money due to its rich history and value, and this is a currency that is very unique. Although it is nearly impossible to find many of these notes outside of a museum, Chinese paper money is very popular and if you can get your hands on a note, you may have a treasure on your hands.
Chinese paper money was originally called “Flying Money” because it was so light, and if the owner did not hold on to it, it could easily blow away. The first notes were made from very delicate paper and they were used almost like IOUs. The owner would write down on the note what they were willing to pay for something, and the recipient could then take that to the bank to cash it. This bank draft system is very similar to our own checking system now.
Chinese paper money changed slightly when the Mongols took over. Instead of paper, the notes were then produced from silk and they were backed by a silk standard, much like the gold standard that would later be used in the Western hemisphere. This was a new idea, and in order to use the notes, the owner would have to actually deposit a set amount of silk yarn in the bank.
The silk form of Chinese paper money endured, and was used throughout the world. It has been discovered in far flung parts of the world by archeologists, but it is very rare to find any that are available to private collectors. After this period in Chinese history, the Ming Dynasty changed the currency, moving back towards paper.
The main problem they faced with this new Chinese paper money was that there was only one set denomination. This forced many to rely on coins since the notes were hard to use for smaller purchases. Due to these problems, paper money actually fell out of use and inflation rose. It wasn’t until modern times that paper money would return and become widespread.
We can thank the Chinese for our current paper money system and their innovations which are centuries old are still in use today. Collectors of Chinese paper money will typically be able to find notes for sale from other private collectors or at auctions. The advent of the internet made it easier to locate many of these notes and business is booming on online auction sites.
For those interested in collecting Chinese paper money, it is best to find notes that are in good condition. The most common are the ones from the Ming Dynasty period, but every once in awhile you can find older notes. The paper is very thin, so these notes should be treated with extreme care and sealed off from air and dust. They are an important part of monetary collectibles and should be treasured as such by collectors.
Originally posted 2008-09-29 14:00:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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