In coin collecting, the condition of a coin is everything and is the key to determining its value. A coin in mint or uncirculated condition can be worth several hundred or even a thousand times more than a coin that … Continue reading
When it comes to samurai swords, there is quite a bit of terminology for the new collector to understand. But we want to make it easy for anyone to find a good quality samurai sword that will last a lifetime, … Continue reading
You may be surprised to learn I play contract, tournament bridge. I am a Life Master but I also have a life. So the tournaments I play in are local and sometimes regional. I’m not a fanatic but it is … Continue reading
Russian Nesting Dolls, also known as nesting dolls, are the most popular and best known of all Russian souvenirs. The russian dolls were first created in the late 19th century in Russia by Sergei Maliutin who was inspired by Japanese … Continue reading
Usually, I think that antiques are kind of silly. I do not understand why you would pay extra money for something that is old and used, when you can get something new and made of modern materials for much cheaper. … Continue reading
Many enthusiastic philatelist has reached a lull in collecting at some point. The affordable gems are coming less frequently and growing out of your price range. To keep the momentum going, you can start looking for the unusual. Perfins are … Continue reading
Determining the value of a stamp can be a complex affair. It’s made more so by the existence of forgeries. The motives for producing counterfeit stamps is no doubt very much the same as for forging currency: to increase the … Continue reading
Collectors have to sift through lots of information while tracking down and researching stamps. It can be helpful to have a handy list of organizations that in one way or another support that effort. American First Day Cover Society PO … Continue reading
How best to secure a stamp to a display medium is an ongoing debate. Hinges were used traditionally and many stamps have their value affected – up or down – by the size and nature of the ‘hinge marks’ on … Continue reading
Stamp collecting has grown in just over 150 years from a hobby for children to a worldwide phenomenon for collectors and investors. Today, thousands of collectors spend time and money to obtain everything from a mundane 1840 One Penny Black … Continue reading