Stamp Collecting Basics
Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby in the world. Philately is a broader term for the study of stamps, and it is frequently - but wrongly - equated to stamp collecting.Through stamp collecting, people find information about history, currency, science, politics, arts, architecture and customs of different nations and countries of the world. All stamp collectors have fun with their stamps because no collection is ever complete, and there is always a challenge.First, decide whether you would like to collect unused (mint) or used (canceled) stamps. If starting a mint stamp collection, purchase unused stamps from the post office. And if you see interesting stamps coming in the mail - collect them...
Start Your Own Coin Collection
Coin collections can be prized possessions that can be handed down from generation to generation. There are even coin collections today that can fetch a prize up to hundreds and thousands of dollars. Coin collecting, more importantly, can be a very engaging hobby to follow. Anyone can enjoy collecting things as a hobby. So why not collect something that can appreciate in price as time goes by? That is just one thing that a coin collection can reward its collector. Such a collection can increase in value in time.People may not be aware of it, but most may have a start of their own coin collection. It is a wonderful hobby worth taking. Coins should not be that hard to collect since there are plenty to...
A Primer on Coin Collecting
Coin collecting has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the world. The earliest coin collecting hobby can be traced back to about 1300 AD when Francesco Petrarca, an Italian scholar and poet, started saving coins and realized the growing value of his collection over time. Coin collecting differs from numismatics in that the latter is focused on the study of different types of currency including coins, notes and other monetary objects.Coin collectors specialize in different types of collections. Often this is determined by the financial resources that can be invested as well as ease of availability of the type of coins. Collections vary from focusing on a specific country (often the...
Coin Collecting on a Shoe-string Budget
Probably everyone at one time or another has collected coins. Some people save old wheat pennies they find in change and throw them in a jar. Other people collect state quarters, and some others collect certain coins like nickles or dimes, and try to build a complete collection over time. A lot of folks think coin collecting is the hobby of king's and truthfully, it's often called that. A king may be able to build a giant collection of coins, but I promise you, that the small collection a young boy has that may only be worth a couple of dollars, is worth just as much to that boy as a King's coins are worth to him.I can tell you right now, anyone can collect coins and you don't have to be rich. In...
Antique Camera Values
Collecting something in the free time was a favorite pass time for people of all ages. Stamps, coins, bottles, etc are favorite collectible items for many. Collecting something in the free time has been a favorite pass time for people of all ages. Stamps, coins, bottles, and arts are favorite collectible items for many. Many people attach great value to things that were used in the past. Collecting of antique cameras has been taken up as a hobby by many-a-people. Many of the cameras that came in the past have a good antique value today. Hearing the word antique need not make one turn his/her face away. It is interesting that there is growing appreciation for roll cameras in this age of digital...
Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways
When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn't end there. You can start in your own attic to see what treasures you find. Then you can check out some of the more unusual ways to go treasure hunting.Diamonds In Parking LotsTemperature changes getting in and out of cars and buildings cause diamonds to come loose from their settings. Because of this, parking lots are one of the most common places diamondare lost. An older couple I read about became experts at telling the difference (from a distance!) between the sparkle of a diamond and bits of glass. Now they regularly take early morning walks in mall parking lots for a second income.Desert...
Cooking With Cast Iron
Cast iron cookware is an extremely versatile and economic alternative to expensive copper and copper clad cookware. If you aren't currently using at least a couple of cast iron pans in your kitchen, you really should consider it.Cast iron has several advantages over other cookware. Cast iron pans have excellent heat conduction and retention, so you get even heating over the whole surface of the pan. If there are no wooden handles on your cast iron cookware, you can use it either on the stove, or in the oven. Properly seasoned and cared for, cast iron is just as non stick as any fancy non-stick pans. Cast iron is very durable. Some of you may have cast iron pans from your grandmother's kitchen that...
Coin Collecting - The Top 10 List
Coin collecting. An associate of mine remembers receiving as a child a big paper bag of old US silver dollars, some going back as far as the late 1890s. Sometime between then and today he has misplaced that old paper bag. To this day he wonders if any of those coins might have been worth something.There is no arguing that coin collecting is one of the biggest and most expensive hobbies in the world. The price tags of some old coins would turn your hair grey. In this article we're going to review the 10 most rare coins in existence. Wait until you see what some of these are going for.Starting at number 10, there are the "proof gold" coins. Today the mint strikes millions of these coins every...
How to Invest in Coins and Precious Metals
With the numerous investment opportunities available in the world today, some of the most basic investments are often overlooked. Take for example the often-ignored art of investing in collectable metals such as rare coins, silver bars, and other precious metals. Literally practiced for centuries around the world, many investors are now beginning to see the advantages of investing their money in physical objects to complement the investments that they might make in the stock market or other investment fronts.If you've ever considered investing in coins and precious metals or if you'd just like to learn more about this alternative to stock investment, then the information below should get you well on...
A Primer on Coin Collecting
Coin collecting has become a multi-billion dollar industry across the world. The earliest coin collecting hobby can be traced back to about 1300 AD when Francesco Petrarca, an Italian scholar and poet, started saving coins and realized the growing value of his collection over time. Coin collecting differs from numismatics in that the latter is focused on the study of different types of currency including coins, notes and other monetary objects.Coin collectors specialize in different types of collections. Often this is determined by the financial resources that can be invested as well as ease of availability of the type of coins. Collections vary from focusing on a specific country (often the...
Web Search R Us
Is there anything you can't find with a web search these days?It seems like it's all covered. Buying, selling, news, stock quotes, song lyrics, recipes, addresses & phone numbers, you name it. You can find it on the web. Using or or or any of the other major search engines, you can find everything.Nowadays when we are looking to buy or sell something, most of us check the web. Ebay is the big one. You can find nearly anything you've ever wanted on Ebay and then some! You can find stamp collections, binoculars, furniture, curtains, jewelry, rugs, fishing gear, computers, and electronics. It's all there. And the prices are usually excellent once the bidding is closed. If you haven't tried it yet...
Scranton, PA; A nice place to live, work or play
Scranton, PA who has copied the Painted Horses from Casper WY to draw in tourism has a few tricks still up their sleeves. For a town with a lot of old history, it is having some good growth in newer parts of the city and surrounding areas. One college age student we had a chance to talk to says most college age kids try to figure out a way to make thier place in the world outside of their hometown of Scranton, this maybe why these kids would good family values choose other cities to make their way in. Scranton of course known for it's history in coal mining and it's closeness to the Pocono Mountains, which are still and East Coast Favorite get away. .Coal mining in PA goes way back to the middle of...
Coin Values
One of the most enjoyable parts of coin collecting is learning about coin values. After all, as enjoyable as coin collecting is on its own, seeing the investment potential of a coin collection is also enjoyable. Besides, when you can see your coins increase in value, it makes your hobby feel functional. And, when you can see how many coins your current coins are worth, it is a self-expanding hobby. However, to enjoy this aspect of coin collecting, you are going to need a way to look up coin values.One of the best places to go for coin values is to a coin dealer. These people are experts in their field and they are likely to stay abreast of prices, auctions, information and news related to coin...
Coin Collecting on a Shoe-string Budget
Probably everyone at one time or another has collected coins. Some people save old wheat pennies they find in change and throw them in a jar. Other people collect state quarters, and some others collect certain coins like nickles or dimes, and try to build a complete collection over time. A lot of folks think coin collecting is the hobby of king's and truthfully, it's often called that. A king may be able to build a giant collection of coins, but I promise you, that the small collection a young boy has that may only be worth a couple of dollars, is worth just as much to that boy as a King's coins are worth to him.I can tell you right now, anyone can collect coins and you don't have to be rich. In...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
Collecting only unique Chinese Antiques - the What, How and Why
Firstly, we had decided that we would only collect antiques that we considered to be beautiful, secondly, the craftsmanship had to be outstanding and thirdly we preferred to collect really unique treasures! By unique, we mean hand crafted, rather than mass-produced antiques such as rare postage stamps. We also were inclined to prefer the small Asian antiques that could easily be safely stored without taking up too much space.ANTIQUE SNUFF BOTTLES, PENDANTS AND JADE So we have been collecting (mostly at the top end of the market) Chinese snuff bottles, pendants and jade carvings. All of these antiques are truly unique works of art, not always just because of being hand made, but also because of...
A Guide to Forex Trading
Market knowledge and ability to understand analysis will only get you so far in Forex trading, but without the nerve to actively compete risking your own money in the process you can never become a successful trader.Wagering huge volumes of money in a market as susceptible to change is liable to cause a whole range of opposing emotions; fear, excitement and anxiety just to name a few. Battling against your emotions in order to complete a successful deal is one of the major hurdles, which must be overcome if you are to become a trader able to close huge deals and earn vast sums of money. If you can overcome or even use these emotions to make trades on the Forex then a successful career may be...
Coin Collecting Values! What Is Your Coin Collection Worth?
There are so many things that can affect the value of your coin collection. A lot of these are obvious like the condition your coin is in or how old it is. How many coins were produced is another item that will affect your coin collecting values. Other things to keep in mind are factors that are beyond your control such as how much desire there is for the coin you own. While you do not have any control over all the things that affect your coin collecting values like the state of our economy there are many things you can watch out for. The more knowledgeable of a coin collector you become the easier it will become to spot the winners. Here are a few things you could keep an eye on when determining...
Selling Old Typewriters On eBay
Typewriters are popular collectibles, especially very early models, and typewriters with past famous owners or a particularly interesting pedigree, which often fetch very high prices on eBay.Because they're bulky, often dirty, need lots of careful cleaning and sometimes repairs, most typewriters, old and modern, are overlooked and fetched low prices at local offline auction houses.Despite this, anyone prepared to spend time cleaning, researching, repairing and eventually packing a typewriter, will find ready bidders on eBay in both the UK and USA, and no doubt other country sites, too.Typewriters don't always fetch fabulous prices, but most early typewriters, from the late 1800s and early 1900s...
Collecting only unique Chinese Antiques - the What, How and Why
Firstly, we had decided that we would only collect antiques that we considered to be beautiful, secondly, the craftsmanship had to be outstanding and thirdly we preferred to collect really unique treasures! By unique, we mean hand crafted, rather than mass-produced antiques such as rare postage stamps. We also were inclined to prefer the small Asian antiques that could easily be safely stored without taking up too much space.ANTIQUE SNUFF BOTTLES, PENDANTS AND JADE So we have been collecting (mostly at the top end of the market) Chinese snuff bottles, pendants and jade carvings. All of these antiques are truly unique works of art, not always just because of being hand made, but also because of...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
eBay and How to Tell If Your Product Is Valuable or Worthless Junk
When is a book not a book? When it's autographed, for example, or in pristine condition despite being centuries old, and other factors that make it stand out from the crowd.These are a few of many reasons an item - not just books by the way - may be worth nothing and another virtually priceless:* Is it dated? Dated items are usually provenance proved, not subject to guesswork. But, consider: is it original or a reproduction or reprint? Be careful, if it's dated, give the date, but don't testify to age. For example, a book dated 1900 may indeed have been printed that year, and be 105 years old, or it could be a modern reprint. If you're unsure you could say: 'Dated 1900, in good condition...
The Different Coin Grading Systems for the Different Countries
For a person who collects coins, there is always the need to have good coins in the collection. While it is easy to buy the various coins that you want to have in your coin collection you do need to make sure that these coins are valuable and if you need to sell them they can be sold without much problem. The best way to find out the value of your coins is by the coin grading system. There is a different coin grading system for coins from various countries but these are for the most part similar. The coins are inspected to see what the condition of the coins are like. These coins will be given a coin grading depending on what the coin dealer, or coin collector's knowledge of coin grain is like. As...
Separation And Divorce: The Top 12 Mistakes A Woman Should Avoid When It Comes To Divorce Planning
A matrimonial divorce settlement is NOT an exact science. If a financial divorce settlement was a straight mathematical equation, we wouldn't need courts and lawyers to resolve matters. Courts are usually required, under Family Law legislation, to take into account a range of factors in deciding who gets what. Too many women settle for a 50% split of the matrimonial property WITHOUT taking into account matters such as significant disparities between what your husband earns and your own weekly /monthly income and any restrictions your age or health might have on your capacity to earn income.Another mistake is letting the other spouse retain the matrimonial home EVEN IF you have the ability to buy...
Coin Collecting on a shoe-string budget
Probably everyone at one time or another has collected coins. Some people save old wheat pennies they find in change and throw them in a jar. Other people collect state quarters, and some others collect certain coins like nickles or dimes, and try to build a complete collection over time. A lot of folks think coin collecting is the hobby of king's and truthfully, it's often called that. A king may be able to build a giant collection of coins, but I promise you, that the small collection a young boy has that may only be worth a couple of dollars, is worth just as much to that boy as a King's coins are worth to him. I can tell you right now, anyone can collect coins and you don't have to be rich. In...
Wine Storage is the Key to Preserving and Aging Your Wine
Wine storage is key to the success of any collection. If you enjoy collecting fine wines then you will want to look into the best of all wine storage options. There are many different ways to store your wine but no matter which wine storage solution you choose you will need to keep the conditions constant.The temperature of any wine storage space needs to be at a constant 50-60 degrees. There should also be plenty of ventilation of the area and this wine storage should be far away from the main area of the house. You do not want to have your wine collection suffering due to too much vibration and you need to keep any source of light to a minimum. No sunlight should be permitted into the wine...
Sell Hobby Items by Mail
You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks researching that hobby. You must learn what collectors want and how much they are willing to pay for it. You should also know what other dealers are willing to pay forthe merchandise which they sell. And you must be willing to pay the same amounts. Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you...
Why You Should Consider An Antique Appraisal For Your Collection
Antiques are widely collected and, as such, are very valuable. Everything from glassware to paintings and even furniture, antiquities are the hobby of choice for many collectors. If you collect antiques of any kind, you will want them to be protected just as you would any other item in your household. This is one of the reasons why you may need an antique appraisal.When it comes to protecting your investment against theft, fire or other misfortune, you may need your antique appraisal to secure insurance for your prized antiques. Because collections are not always covered under a general home insurance policy, many individuals are unaware that they may need to purchase a separate rider policy if...
Estabishing the Coin Collecting Value of Your Coins
For the coin collector there is nothing more exciting than finding an exceptionally valuable coin. To help with finding the many different values that can be found with coins there are guidelines that have been set up. These guidelines will help you in finding the coin collecting value of your coins. Since each type of coin is different you should expect to see that these coins have a different value. The best way that you can get an opinion on your coin collection is to see a coin dealer. These people will have the knowledge and the experience to help you with your coin collecting value findings. These findings should be based on the price that you can expect to pay when you decide to sell your...
Scranton, PA; A nice place to live, work or play
Scranton, PA who has copied the Painted Horses from Casper WY to draw in tourism has a few tricks still up their sleeves. For a town with a lot of old history, it is having some good growth in newer parts of the city and surrounding areas. One college age student we had a chance to talk to says most college age kids try to figure out a way to make thier place in the world outside of their hometown of Scranton, this maybe why these kids would good family values choose other cities to make their way in. Scranton of course known for it's history in coal mining and it's closeness to the Pocono Mountains, which are still and East Coast Favorite get away. .Coal mining in PA goes way back to the middle of...
The Successful Coin Collector
So you want to become a successful coin collector. Well you have some simple concepts that you must learn in order for you to become a good coin collector, and let's face it, if you don't learn some key rules for collecting coins, you are not going to enjoy collecting coins. -Well I would say that EDUCATION would be the most important factor for anyone to be a successful coin collector. Learn as much as you can about this wonderful hobby. Buy as many books and reading material on all aspects of coin collecting that you can get your hands on. This may even include subscribing to a few coin collecting magazines like Coin World. There are many online organizations, some listed on this site, and you can...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
Scranton, PA; A nice place to live, work or play
Scranton, PA who has copied the Painted Horses from Casper WY to draw in tourism has a few tricks still up their sleeves. For a town with a lot of old history, it is having some good growth in newer parts of the city and surrounding areas. One college age student we had a chance to talk to says most college age kids try to figure out a way to make thier place in the world outside of their hometown of Scranton, this maybe why these kids would good family values choose other cities to make their way in. Scranton of course known for it's history in coal mining and it's closeness to the Pocono Mountains, which are still and East Coast Favorite get away. .Coal mining in PA goes way back to the middle of...
eBay: PowerSeller Profit Tips to Help You Make More Money on eBay-#3 of a Four Part Feature
Sometimes just a few small tasks make all the difference between making a few dollars profit on eBay and generating a small fortune each month. These ideas will help you make more from your listings.* I find a scanner sometimes produces far better pictures than a digital camera, albeit some items are too big or heavy and might damage our delicate equipment. Use it for smaller, lighter items and place them gently onto the bed to avoid scratching the surface. DO NOT SCAN POINTED ITEMS OR OTHERS WITH SHARP EDGES - that is a definite shortcut to disaster.* Don't write or price directly and indelibly onto delicate items. For example, write in ink on a stamp or book, append a price label onto a...
Basics Of Coin Collecting
Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins. The value of gold coins is usually higher than the value of their weight in gold bullion, making them a better investment than the gold market alone. Collectors covet the unusual and uncommon above all else, and these minor...
Niche Marketing : A Mini Tutorial on Starting a Business
The role of marketing in business may surprise you. Many books and seminars on marketing begin on how to develop the Marketing Plan. I believe this to be a mistake.You shouldn't begin thinking how you are going to market something until you first determine if you have something to market. You also need to have the ability to develop and service your product; will it work the way you say it will work; are there no adverse legal ramifications? Finally, can you sell of offer it for a profit?Finding your Niche MarketTo begin, you need to find a product that people need. Think back in your life. Was there any problem that you felt was not resolved completely? Was a solution presented to you that could...
Home Inventory: Important Tips For Making One
Every home needs a home inventory updated at least once a year. Homeowners who live in hurricane stricken areas like Florida, coastal regions of Alabama or Louisiana and Texas are used to putting together a home inventory on a regular basis, but for those homeowners who live in the Midwest or in regions of the country without hurricane season abounding, they may think there is no need for a home inventory. This just is not the case!No matter what part of the country you live in, a home inventory is a must have because fire, flood, and wind or tornado damage as well as theft or lost property can happen to anyone at any time. Not having your home inventoried can make the process of dealing with...
Kenny G At Last... The Duets Album Smooth Jazz CD Review
Kenny G, the smooth jazz icon saxophonist for almost 20 years now, has released his first all guest star CD entitled At Last...The Duets Album.This release finds the smooth jazz saxophone superstar paired with vocal giants ranging from Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan to pop stars including LeAnn Rimes, Daryl Hall, Richard Marx, Brian McKnight, and Earth, Wind and Fire just to name a few.He also enlisted some instrumental industry heavyweights to pitch in as well. Including trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist David Benoit, and the legendary composer Burt Bacharach.The CD formula largely works, coming off as a breezy, laid back concert with G adding soft...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
Excuse Me, Where Did You Say That Hotel Was Again?
My rather shrill and decidedly temperamental Thai alarm clock surprised me immensely by sounding at 5am. Prior to this morning's unexpected accuracy my contender for the world's cheapest and most unreliable alarm clock had both completely failed to activate, and also gone off at 3.45am without my having any recollection of setting it for that ungodly hour. On that notable occasion I was on my way from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, and was sharing a first-class sleeper compartment with perhaps twenty fellow backpacker's and a handful of wealthy Thai's. Thankfully I had my curtain drawn across so no-one realised the source of their nocturnal interruption.Where was I? Oh, yes, Vientiane the capital city of...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
Coin Values
One of the most enjoyable parts of coin collecting is learning about coin values. After all, as enjoyable as coin collecting is on its own, seeing the investment potential of a coin collection is also enjoyable. Besides, when you can see your coins increase in value, it makes your hobby feel functional. And, when you can see how many coins your current coins are worth, it is a self-expanding hobby. However, to enjoy this aspect of coin collecting, you are going to need a way to look up coin values.One of the best places to go for coin values is to a coin dealer. These people are experts in their field and they are likely to stay abreast of prices, auctions, information and news related to coin...
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. By the time I was done with it, I had more than 3,000 stamps in my collection and sold it for the princely sum of 7.50 in 1958. I don't remember what I did with the money. I think I treated my family to supper at the neighborhood burger joint.I gave up on the hobby for about seven years and took it up again as an adult. Where before I collected anything I found, I started to look for stamps in better condition and in sets. The first such set I bought was from Vatican City for the 1962 Christmas celebration and paid all of 50c for it.Though a mere trifle, it...
When I was 10 years old, one of my favorite outings was to attend a local coin show with my uncle and the local minister. I remember my uncle's advice then, a caution that is very familiar to those in the coin-collecting hobby, "Buy the book (first), then buy the coin." The meaning of the phrase is to suggest that one ought to familiarize oneself with the book value of a coin, in light of its rarity, condition, and demand by collectors. The book would presumably also educate the collector on the strong points and weaker points of the coin, and its desirability in the current market. The collector who had purchased a recent annual guide to coins would presumably be a step ahead of those who had...
Selling Old Typewriters On eBay
Typewriters are popular collectibles, especially very early models, and typewriters with past famous owners or a particularly interesting pedigree, which often fetch very high prices on eBay.Because they're bulky, often dirty, need lots of careful cleaning and sometimes repairs, most typewriters, old and modern, are overlooked and fetched low prices at local offline auction houses.Despite this, anyone prepared to spend time cleaning, researching, repairing and eventually packing a typewriter, will find ready bidders on eBay in both the UK and USA, and no doubt other country sites, too.Typewriters don't always fetch fabulous prices, but most early typewriters, from the late 1800s and early 1900s...
Collecting only unique Chinese Antiques - the What, How and Why
Firstly, we had decided that we would only collect antiques that we considered to be beautiful, secondly, the craftsmanship had to be outstanding and thirdly we preferred to collect really unique treasures! By unique, we mean hand crafted, rather than mass-produced antiques such as rare postage stamps. We also were inclined to prefer the small Asian antiques that could easily be safely stored without taking up too much space.ANTIQUE SNUFF BOTTLES, PENDANTS AND JADE So we have been collecting (mostly at the top end of the market) Chinese snuff bottles, pendants and jade carvings. All of these antiques are truly unique works of art, not always just because of being hand made, but also because of...
Antique Coins Collecting for Fun & Profit
You only have to look at how busy the coins section is on Ebay to know that coin collecting is an incredibly popular activity. It's one of the most popular hobbies around and one of the most profitable too.Finding coins to collect is easy but finding ones that are actually valuable to collect is the challenge faced by most collectors. As a rule of thumb, the older the coins is the more collectible it becomes as often they are more rare than more modern coins.The best place to find Antique coins include auction houses, coin shows, coin fairs and malls. But if you are more serious you should visit historical sites where antique coins are more likely to be found. You should bear in mind that the value...
Start Your Own Coin Collection
Coin collections can be prized possessions that can be handed down from generation to generation. There are even coin collections today that can fetch a prize up to hundreds and thousands of dollars. Coin collecting, more importantly, can be a very engaging hobby to follow. Anyone can enjoy collecting things as a hobby. So why not collect something that can appreciate in price as time goes by? That is just one thing that a coin collection can reward its collector. Such a collection can increase in value in time. People may not be aware of it, but most may have a start of their own coin collection. It is a wonderful hobby worth taking. Coins should not be that hard to collect since there are plenty...