collecting blogs

No one can say for sure, but most historians believe that silver was mined several centuries before gold. Archeologists have found silver mines on the Aegean Sea that date back more than five thousand years. It was one of the first precious metals mankind learned to separate from lead.

In the early days, silver was not used in coin form. In parts of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria, they used ingots to facilitate trade. Ingots were really nothing more than small chunks of silver. This silver was given as tribute to rulers or as a sort of tithe to the local temples. It was not actually used as a form of currency until there was a leader everyone recognized.

The first ruler to invest in coinage was Philip II of Macedon (359-336 BC). As the head of the Greek city states, he had enough subjects to release some of the earliest silver coins. But it was his famous son, Alexander the Great, who would build his early empire on huge silver mines in northern Afghanistan. He used the precious metal to pay his vast armies and to remind them who their leader was. The concept of coinage gained acceptance as Alexander conquered most of the known world.

In later years, silver coins were used by the Roman emperors to pay their legions. In time, the coins were adopted by administrators, merchants and traders. As you might imagine, the silver coins of the ancient Greeks and Romans are among the most sought after coins in the world because they are the oldest.

Like most hobbies, coin collecting was first practiced by adults. According to a famous historian, the first emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus, was a coin collector. Coin collecting was practiced for hundreds of years without any thought of the value of history of ancient coins. But all that changed during the Renaissance.

During the 15th century, monarchs who were curious about the past suddenly started offering substantial sums of money for ancient coins. The pastime was so popular that it became known as “the hobby of kings.” Members of the European nobility amassed impressive collections that are in museums today.

Modern Collecting

Why do people collect coins? More often than not, the hobby is passed on from a parent or grandparent. Most amateur numismatists (coin collectors) who teach youngsters about starting a coin collecting do it to illustrate a few simple life lessons. First and foremost, they want them to appreciate the past. Each coin tells its own unique story. Not only does it feature the profile of a famous leader, but it also was minted in a certain city on a certain a certain date.

Collecting objects also teaches us the value of maintenance. Whether we are talking about stamps or silver coins, collectibles must be protected from the elements if they are to be preserved. Some collectors focus on coins that commemorate a special event, like the bicentennial.

Numismatics in America

As a relatively young country, the United States was thousands of years behind Europe when it came to coin collecting. Perhaps that is why it took several centuries for the hobby to catch on in America. It was not until U.S. began issuing sizable quantities of commemorative coins in the 1930s that the avocation became a hit. In recent years, the Internet has made it much easier for amateurs, professionals and traders to communicate. Online auction sites like eBay give numismatics of all experience levels the ability to buy, sell and trade coins.

Silver American Eagles

Issued by the U.S. government, the Silver Eagle is one of the most famous silver coins in the world. Not only they do they contain a full troy ounce of the purest silver, but they are also offered in limited quantities. Whenever new Silver Eagle coins are announced, coin collectors from across America line up. In fact, demand for the 2009 Silver Eagle was so high, it set a new mintage record at over 30 million coins.

Silver Canadian Maple Leaf

Released just two years after the Eagle, the Maple Leaf is the Canadian answer to the American bestseller. Because it was second, it may lack the cache, but it remains one of the most popular silver coins in North America. One explanation is the eye-catching design and the fact that the Maple Leaf is made from the purest silver, at .9999 pure. The Canadian government also keeps the mintage quite low, so supply is rarely enough to meet the demand.

Morgan Silver Dollars

As one of the rarest and most celebrated American silver coins, the Morgan is a favorite for both new and experienced numismatics. Minted between 1978 and 1904, and then again in 1921, the Morgan is not quite as pure as the aforementioned. The coins are about 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Of course, collectors prize them for their historical significance and rarity, not their purity.

When searching for the next showpiece in your coin collection, give these fascinating pieces some careful consideration.

About the Author

Christian Ruelas is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including collecting <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>silver coins</span>.

Sales of stamps are rising as younger people follow stars in taking up the hobby

The practice of stamp collecting has often tended to be seen as the interest of older generations.

Recently, however, there has been a surge in interest from a younger generation, with stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons noticing an increase in the number of its younger customers.

“Our customers generally used to be over 50 and male, but in the last six months the younger market has turned everything on its head” a spokesman told British newspaper The Telegraph.

The Royal Philatelic Society reports an increase in its membership too, and there have been significant increases in sales of both stamps and philatelic books in recent weeks and months, as noted by retailers such as eBay.

Why is this? Some suggest that the recession has led people to consider hobbies which can be started cheaply, and at a basic level all you need to start a stamp collection is a scrapbook and a pair of tweezers.

At the other end of the spectrum, rare stamps are worthy tangible investments for people whose faith in stocks and shares has been shaken. One very rare stamp, worthy of centring a great collection around, is the Tyrian Plum.

However, it is likely that the influence of celebrities declaring their interest in the hobby is at least as great an influence. President Sarkozy of France has a very respectable collection, for example, as does guitarist Ronnie Wood and ex-chess world champion Anatoly Karpov.

In terms of the changing demographic however it’s probably younger celebrity collectors such as the 22 year old tennis star Maria Sharapova who are having a greater influence. Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor also owns a collection.

Then there is the influence of emerging economies. In India, for example, stamp collecting is a very respectable pastime, and an Indian man recently broke a record for a collection which spanned the greatest number of countries – at the tender age of 20.

It has also been a very lively year in the philatelic world, thanks most of all to financial genius Bill Gross, who recently auctioned off part of his collection to raise $3.2m for the Smithsonian Museum.

Paul Fraser Collectibles

About the Author

Paul Fraser has been involved in high-end collectibles for over 35 years, selling more than $300m of rare items, including John Lennon’s childhood stamp album to the Smithsonian. Paul Fraser Collectibles offers a free high-end collectibles newsletter service with expert opinion and advice

Christmas is one of the most important days of the year, particularly for Christians. The celebration of Christmas means the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, or nativity, and this unique event has been depicted by many generations since, in remembrance of God’s love for man.

The first description of the events that surrounded Christ’s birth can be found in the Bible, particularly in the books Matthew and Luke. In these gospels, the story is told of Jesus being born in a cattle trough or manger, and then being visited by shepherds and wise men, who were guided by a bright star which shone directly over Jesus’ birthplace. The descriptions in Matthew and Luke have inspired the recreations of the nativity since, although some depictions contain minor changes, they all retain the essential beauty and love of the scene.

The first nativity scene was believed to have been created by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. It was a pantomime, using live actors, and its purpose was to inspire worship in Christ. Soon after, many communities had staged their own pantomimes, and this later evolved to become nativity sets, composed of static models that use materials such as wax or ivory, dressed in rich clothes, and often set against beautiful landscapes.

In more recent years, there are still pantomimes of the nativity done, but more commonly we see static nativity sets inside homes. The nativities are usually composed of small figurines, the most basic including Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus laying in the manger. Other sets feature a stable or cave, along with figurines of the shepherds, wise men, and even angels and animals.

Other versions of nativity sets have variations, often without any Biblical support. These may include figures of the apostles, Satan, or Adam and Eve. Although these characters are Biblical they were not at the original scene of the nativity. Although these sets are not factually accurate, they are still representative of the nativity’s significance in Christianity.

As Christmas day draws near, many shops begin to sell nativity sets, such as Jim Shore. These stores often carry a large and beautiful stock of figurines and ornaments, complete with everything one needs to set up the perfect nativity scene at home. Make your visit to these stores today.

About the Author

Mr. Malcolm Van Goodman has written many articles on Jim Shore nativities. You can find his informative site at Nativity Collectionsso visit him now.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Wee Green Seeds!

Depending on your experiences when you were growing up, you could have had a lot of contact with cannabis seeds and so will not be too surprised to consider purchasing them online at some point. However, you might have had no contact with them and have been led to believe that they are the spawn of the devil, a source of pain and suffering and something to be shunned. The truth is that they are completely legal little things and only have a bad rep from people who have never seen their positive effects.

To help you to understand more about cannabis seeds, here are a few reasons why some people are concerned about buying them.

Legality

It is legal to buy, sell and own cannabis seeds. This is by far the most common misconception about marijuana seeds as most people just assume that they are in the same bracket as cannabis itself. This is not the case. Until you actually germinate a cannabis seed, they remain perfectly legal.

Stigma

Some feel that if you are seen to be buying or owning cannabis seeds you must be a drug dealer and that you will be robbing and stealing eventually. This is certainly not the case. There are countless people who enjoy collecting cannabis seeds much in the same way people collect stamps. To aid you with your fears of people finding out about your collection, most online seed shops send your seeds in very discreet packaging.

Evil Intentions

A reason why people should be concerned is if they intend to grow their marajuana seeds into plants. The police have a range of techniques for finding and catching people who start cannabis factories in their basements. Heat signatures from hydroponics set ups for growing feminized seeds can be seen from the air, suspected houses will be monitored and phones (probably) can be tapped. Don’t take the risk! Even with legal highs.

Money

Some people are concerned about buying cannabis seeds because they worry that they are very expensive. Most online cannabis seed stores provide big discounts when you buy in bulk and will be able to provide you with all the information you need at the same time. Another thing to remember is that when cannabis is made legal, people with a collection of cannabis seeds already will be in prime position to get growing straight away. While people without a collection already built up will need to pay tax on their seeds and pay a higher price for all seeds and paraphernalia as more and more companies try to jump on the band wagon.

About the Author

Sam Qam is a supporter of many anti-drugs organisations. He looks forward to a time when the stigma attached to marajuana seeds and especially legal highs are eradicated.

I visited Costa Rica and did a lot of horseback riding there. Costa Rica has the boniest, most pathetic looking horses I have ever seen. I actually felt sorry for them trying to carry me and my family. Glue factories come to my mind when I look at them. In fact, my horse actually passed out while I was riding it. He had just carried me up a big hill. After he got us to the top, he walked over to the ledge of a 60 foot cliff and fainted. He fell right off the cliff with me on him. My family watched in amazement as me and my horse disappeared over the edge. Fortunately for me, I landed about 20 feet down on the steep hill with my face in the dirt and a very nice hoof print on the back of my thigh where he stepped on me as he tumbled over me and all the way down to the bottom. The Lord surely gave his angels charge over me that day. We both survived but we were pretty shook up.

It really gave me an appreciation for what we have here in the United States. Our horses are so beautiful. Whenever you mention horse country in the United States, most people think of places like Kentucky and Virginia. Don’t tell anyone this little secret but the most beautiful horses and most beautiful rolling hills and horse country are in north Georgia.

If that is hard for you to believe, then you have probably never driven through Cherokee County, Georgia. It is a huge county where the heavenly scenery never stops and you never get tired of watching the most beautiful, graceful horses. People here are serious about their horses too. The stables are seriously nice and they are everywhere. I have never shopped for a horse but I know the horses around here are not cheap.

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man”.

There is something so beautiful and majestic about these creatures that you just want to grab hold of them and take them home with you. And thanks to super-realistic details with Breyer horses, you can do that! Toy horse models capture the beauty of your favorite breeds so you can keep them with you at home or work.

Today hand-painted, realistic Breyer horses are available in a huge selection. My favorite breed is the blond haired Palomino but Breyer has just about every breed available.

But there is another reason why Breyer horses are the finest toy horse gifts. They have become valuable collector’s items. Rare model horse toys in good condition are worth a lot more than most real horses. This is a serious hobby and a lot of fun too!

About the Author

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Breyer horses. Click here to download a free toy horse guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Today, you will find thousands and hundreds of people that are enjoying coin collecting and these numbers are constantly developing, which is often a welcome transform on the situation that existed earlier to the 12 months 1999. The truth is, at any time considering the mid sixties, coin accumulating as an activity and hobby acquired been exhibiting symptoms of decline simply because of the alter in material from which US coins were being currently being created.

Base Metals Replace Silver

When silver was replaced with base metals it became considerably harder to discover appropriate old cash and so the interest in coin amassing declined. Nevertheless, the 12 months 1999 saw the advent with the 50 Talk about Quarters Program when the initial Think Quarters had been issued that honored the US state of Delaware.

This 50 Think Quarters Plan reignited interest in coin gathering also it led to much more people today getting up coin collections being a serious interest. On the other hand, the factors why persons become enthusiastic about coin gathering are as different and diverse because the coins themselves. People today might want to collect coins on account from the fact that those cash were being minted while in the yr that their children were definitely born, or they might start amassing cash having a look at to marketing them off after when their value appreciates.

The top instance of how coin gathering can prove to become a profitable exercise is exemplified from the case of 1 Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. whose collection of cash, right after his death, fetched his heirs a whopping forty-four million dollars.

One of the best method to start out the coin amassing activity is by means of creating a starting with date-and-mint coin collections. The Lincoln cent that is certainly issued every single yr is an instance of the way to go about including cash for your selection. Or, you could possibly prefer to gather cash based on certain coin types and rather than collect cash from each yr and according to mink-marks it may be a better thought to gather cash from a distinct series as well as from the special mint.

Mint error cash as well make perfect coins that every 1 that is enthusiastic about coin gathering really should think about including in their coin collections. To generate coin collecting easier why not also take advantage of coin collecting application of which you will encounter unique varieties although every will assist you with distinct factors of coin gathering.

Using a little little bit of luck, you may possibly even succeed in including some extremely beneficial and perhaps even uncommon coins for your selection and then you are able to reap a tidy income by offering them off after when they’re very much in demand and when their value appreciates sufficiently to warrant promoting them off of.

About the Author

Want to find out more about Hobbies Ideas, then visit Dennis C. Onputtha’s site on how to choose the best Hobby for your needs.

Many believe the butterfly knife first came to American shores in the early part of the 20th century with Filipino immigrants, but its popularity and infamy in the United States only really began after US soldiers returned with balisongs from the Philippines after World War II. The balisong is believed to be much older than this, however. Patents for knives that look very much like the butterfly knives produced in Batangas in the Philippines in the early 20th century existed in France as early as the 18th century, and similar knives were also produced in Germany, Italy and Spain in the 19th century.

It is plausible that the arrival of the first balisong in the United States was in the 18th or 19th century and that the fan knife was of European origin. It may have been a European immigrant or returning American citizen who brought a European butterfly knife to the US first, rather than a Filipino immigrant bringing a Batangas-made balisong to the US.

Some even believe the butterfly knife made it to the Philippines when Jose Rizal, one of the Philippines’ national heroes, returned to Spain from his travels with a European-made butterfly knife among his possessions. Such a statement would be considered blasphemy by many in the Philippines, who believe the design of the balisong is ancient and purely Filipino. Without proof, however, it is impossible to discount any of these theories, as the design may have been patented in Europe after European travelers and sailors got their hands on even older Filipino balisongs. The definitive truth, as is often the case with history, is obscured by the sands of time. Rizal may even have introduced the Filipino balisong to Europe!

The balisong became less popular in Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, but in the early 20th century, the pandays (metal craftsmen) of Batangas began producing the fan knife to meet local demand. These balisongs had karabaw (water buffalo) horn inserts and brass handles, and the blades were made of recycled steel, often from vehicle leaf springs. This perhaps lends credence to the theory the term “balisong” comes from two Tagalog words: “baling” and “sungay,” or “broken” and “horn.” The horn inserts were ‘broken’ pieces of karabaw horn, but the handles could also be rotated apart or “broken.”
The Batangas balisongs produced in the early 20th century strongly resembled the designs of the balisongs produced in Germany at around the same time (or vice versa). What we do know, however, is the popularity and ubiquity of the Filipino balisong surpassed that of any European butterfly knife design in the decades (and centuries) to come, and that the design became synonymous with the Philippines: Batangas in particular, although similarly designed knives known as mais-mais (corn-corn) also became popular in and around the island of Cebu in the 20th century. Balisongs were used for many everyday tasks, including shaving! Balisongs were far more common than straight razors prior to the Second World War.

Batangas in the Philippines was soon thought of by many, particularly in the Philippines, as the home of the balisong. Many of the towns and barrios around the province still have families that make the distinctively Batangueño knife with varying degrees of quality and success. These knives were so popular that they were mass produced around Asia in the latter part of the 20th century to meet growing US demand. Unfortunately, the small size, concealability and opening mechanism of butterfly knives (as they came to be known) led to their popularity with American criminals, much like the Italian stiletto, and the US Government introduced the Switchblade Act in 1958, which was later interpreted to also include the butterfly knife. Imports of butterfly knives and automatics were subsequently made illegal, but both continue to be commonly available on the US market today due to domestic production and continued importation from Asia and Europe.

Today, the butterfly knife continues to be maligned and connected with crime around the world and it has been made illegal in several countries, including in the Philippines, where it is considered a deadly weapon with no other use but in crime, according to law enforcement agencies. Sadly, the butterfly knife is no more dangerous than any other knife and is slower into operation than modern folders of legal design made by prominent manufacturers such as Benchmade and Spyderco, both of which continue to domestically produce butterfly knives to meet US demand. In Batangas, efforts have been made to promote the balisong as the quality working knife that it is-some have even stated that it is commonly used for circumcision there! Unfortunately, due to their relatively low cost and ubiquity in the Philippines compared to imported knives (the Philippines puts a hefty duty on virtually all imports), balisongs continue to be popular with Filipino criminals. Their image and unique opening mechanism is another factor that leads to their continued prominence, and modern balisongs are being made with increasingly better quality every day. Even in the Philippines, where balisongs were traditionally made with recycled brass and steel, aluminum and stainless steel is becoming more common in balisong manufacture.

About the Author

Jay Khilnani owns and operates pinoysteel.com. Pinoy Steel has both traditionally-made Filipino Handmade (FHM) balisongs and balicombs and also FHM balisongs with a twist: balisongs made with rare wood, mammoth ivory, damascus steel and European stag. You can find Pinoy Steel at http://www.pinoysteel.com

Before the era of the internet, putting CGC comics for sale was a bit difficult. Very often, you also had to look for dealers who are dedicated to selling or trading them. Sure enough, the era of the internet made it a whole lot easier to trade, buy, and sell your comic books. Listed here are some best auction sites where you can easily place your CGC comics for sale or you can buy one.
Certainly, EBay is number one on the list. It’s probably the most popular auction website online. Many certified dealers also go to EBay because they can really find buyers there. Besides, with just a few clicks, you will definitely find any type of CGC comics for sale that you want, if you are a collector. And if you are a seller, it’s a good site to post your comic books for sale.
Secondly, you can try the Heritage Auctions. This site is especially dedicated to comic book lovers and collectors. Furthermore, this site can be a little easier to navigate as it only specializes on very rare comics. And you can deal straight with the owners and they will handle everything for you like displaying your CGC comics for sale, for all the members to see. But there’s a little drawback here, they will take around 15% from the total sales that you made.
Third, there’s the Comic Link auction site. One nice thing about this site is that its owners are avid comic books collectors and enthusiasts too. In this site, you can give a list of your CGC comics for sale and you will be notified when someone is interested. Moreover, various other CGC graded comics are available here. This is ideal for people who are a little doubtful of purchasing self-graded comics.
But remember, you should take extra care when dealing online. It’s alright to ask questions or be a bit skeptical. When the seller is not willing to reply to any of your questions, you should avoid any further dealings with them.

About the Author

Alan provides information about CGC Comics for Sale
through his website on Graded CGC Comics for Sale

A gold bullion bar investment is the growing trend among today’s investors, but why? When it comes to the gold bullion bar, investors feel that such an investment is somewhat safer than other forms of investments, especially in light of today’s economy. What’s more, getting one or more gold bullion bar items helps in making your financial portfolio considerably diverse.

A prudent investor fully understands that a financial portfolio should not heavily rely on any one form of investment. Since stocks are extremely volatile, a gold bullion bar investment seems far more reasonable. The gold bar prices today are pretty stable which makes an investor more comfortable with buying gold over getting bonds or stocks. What’s more, gold has always performed impressively well throughout the years and even if the gold spot price fluctuates from day to day, the precious metal continues to remain coveted and valuable.

Even saving cash is less of an investment option than buying gold and that is because the economy today is having a dramatic and baneful affect on the American dollar. Gold however, continues to rise in price, and this makes gold a far more desirable form of investing. Gold bullion bars can be saved up, stored away, and easily liquefied into cash later on too.

The investment in a gold bullion bar is a way to balance out an otherwise well diversified portfolio. If for example, you have investments in bonds and/or stocks and the prices of such investments drop, often times your gold investments can help keep your financial portfolio balanced out since the price of gold often rises even when bonds and stock prices are dropping.

A gold bullion bar is commonly sold for roughly two to five percent over the present going price for gold. The all-time low premiums assigned to today’s gold bullion are making such bars ultra attractive investments. You can buy gold for just a bit of money over the gold bar’s original value, and hold onto the gold until you can make a decent profit on the gold yourself, if and when you liquidize your investment.

To learn more about Gold Bullion Bar, I recommend you checking out Gold Bar Shop. It is a specialized gold bullion bar for sale site, offering a great selection of gold bars for sale. This website makes finding your dream gold bars a million times easier. Be sure to try this website before you buy.

About the Author

Wilson Snyder is a freelance writer. Learn more about Gold Bullion Bar at Buy Gold Bars.

One of the most rewarding hobbies that you can get your child interested in is coin collecting. Not only is it fun to collect coins it is also educational as they are learning about the history of coins and how they are made. You may be thinking that this is great, but how do I get my TV addicted kids interested in coin collecting with all the distractions of Nintendo and football? I am glad you asked, because the following tips should help you answer that burning question:

Tip one:

The best way to get kids attention these days is to show them something that is either grotesque or pretty. With coins we will stick with the latter. If you have any rare or commemorative coins that have unique designs then show your kids these to get their attention. Tell them the history behind it and what it represents. Hook them with an interesting story and then you can reel them in.

Tip two:

One of the best ways to get your child interested in coin collecting is to give them a coin from your own collection. Get them started by offering them a challenge to collect a whole set and offer them a reward if they achieve it. Watch out for any interestingly designed coins that show up in your change and give these to your child. Discuss with them why this coin is so different to the rest. By taking a helpful and active part in helping your child collect coins they will become more enthusiastic.

Tip three:

Another great way to get your child interested in coins is by taking them to a coin collector show. Start of by checking out your local listings for a local event. Take them along to that and if they enjoy it then you can promote them by taking them to a national or international show in the big city.

Tip four:

Coin auctions are also great places to increase your child’s interest in coins. At a coin auction they will not only learn the history behind the coins but also their value as an investment.

Tip five:

Many coin dealers are passionate about coins and they enjoy passing on the vast knowledge they have about coins. By taking your child along to a coin dealer they will learn a great deal and will be excited to meet an expert who shares their passion.

About the Author

Charles Woodbridge has been writing articles for over 2 years on subjects he cares greatly about. Check out his new website at http://www.pramsforsalereview.com / which provides information relating to prams for sale listings.