Matchbox Labels: Themed

 

Themed Matchbox Labels...such a wide variety of these labels exist.. and each set tells a story of it's own.

This theme today: Animals

Coins: Errors: Off Minting, Double Strike, and so on

 Error coins.. what fun it was to go through a set of coins and see if we could find any errors.

Dad found these over the years... and what errors these are.. just see..

Coins shifted to left, off minting, double strike, an extra growth on the side of a 25 P coin, a coin with the head and tail at 90 deg to each other. Wow.

(Note: The handwriting in all these , is Dad's.. neat, precise, clear).

Some more of these coins coming up in a future post.

Matchbox Labels: Themed: Unique

 

Stamps, Coins, Notgelds... now, for an intro to Matchbox Labels:

This was a hobby that started long back - when we were kids - Dad encouraged me to write to the matchbox factories - the owners were so nice, they would reply back with a 'God bless you' and send matchbox labels in mint condition.(I think there will be some at home still with the handwritten notes).

From the giant collection, these are some of the key ones...so uniquely themed - Laurel and Hardy, Elvis, old movies....I wrote to the guy who would send them to us, as he sent us whole matchboxes with the matches.. he said he personally creates each matchbox .. amazing, indeed.

Some more on the topic in the coming days.

#Hobby #matchboxcollector #TimelessTreasures #numismatics #coins #philately #collection #Notgeld #telephonecards

Currency Notes : Grading

 Explanation of grading of notes, for those who are new to the topic:

Grading of Currency Notes is done by a pro agency.

The highest grading in PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) is 70 EPQ. Here's what it means:

PMG 70 EPQ

Grade Description: "Gem Uncirculated 70 Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ)."

Characteristics:

A perfectly preserved note, as fresh and crisp as the day it was printed.

No evidence of handling under magnification.

Perfectly centered margins and registration.

Bright colors and flawless paper quality.

PMG Grading Scale

PMG uses a 70-point numerical grading scale:

60 to 70: Uncirculated grades (no signs of wear, with higher grades representing better centering, color, and visual appeal).

50 to 58: About Uncirculated (AU) grades (minimal signs of handling).

40 to 45: Extremely Fine (light folds, minor handling).

20 to 35: Very Fine (moderate handling and wear).

4 to 15: Good to Fine (significant wear and possible damage).

1 to 3: Poor condition.

EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) is an additional designation that indicates the note has original, undisturbed paper quality, enhancing its value among collectors.

Currency Notes: Polymer: First Polymer Note: Australia: Commemorative

 

Polymer notes.. such a fascinating change from the traditional paper notes.

Featured: the world's first polymer note, (Year 1988) from Australia, designed to improve durability and security against counterfeiting. It was great to get this one finally, and with a good grade of 65.

Obverse (Front Side):

Design: Features an Aboriginal man in ceremonial body paint alongside traditional Indigenous Australian artwork and motifs, symbolizing the culture and heritage of the original inhabitants of Australia.

Hologram Window: Includes a distinctive see-through holographic window, a pioneering feature in banknotes at the time.

Reverse (Back Side)

Design: Displays the First Fleet ships, which brought the first European settlers to Australia in 1788. It also depicts colonial settlers and landscapes, showcasing the historical arrival of Europeans and their interaction with the land.

#Polymernote #Currency #Australia #Commemorative

Currency Notes: French India One Rupee : 1945

 We got this one recently- one of the rare one Re notes. Note that this is relatively better condition than the previous ones we had come across while searching... and, it's graded.

Description:

Year : 1945

A French India 1 Rupee banknote issued by the Banque de l'Indochine during the French colonial period in India. Here are the key details about it:

Issuing Authority:

The note was issued by the Banque de l'Indochine, a French colonial bank established to manage currency and financial activities in French colonies.

Region:

This specific note is from Pondichéry (Pondicherry), a key French territory in India. The date "8 Septembre 1945" indicates the issuance or circulation period during the later part of French colonial rule.

Denomination:

The denomination is 1 Roupie (Rupee)

#Currency #FrenchIndia #OneRupee

Stamps: Astrological Signs: Year 2011

 

Another exquisite set of stamps. Brought out by Department of Posts, Ahmedabad.

Astrological signs, complete with a set of 12 bookmarks, as well as a calendar.

Occasion: Gujpex 2011( Gujarat Philatelic Exhibition).

#Stamps #Philately #Gujpex

Currency Notes: Euro Specimen Notes

 

BIRTH OF THE EURO AS A CUIRENCY

When the Euro as a currency first came out in the year 2002, there was a great deal of excitement.. to familiarize the public, the Euro specimen notes were produced.

Many specimen notes have unique serial numbers or no serial numbers at all to differentiate them from real notes.

Though they are not legal tender, these notes have, over time become sought after by currency collectors due to their historical significance and rarity.

In Dad's collection: A dealer gave them to Dad, impressed by his collection of currency notes. And, impressive the collection is, indeed.

#Euro #Specimennotes #amazing #currency

Stamps: Miniature Sheets

 

An absolutely exquisite miniature sheet...scenes from the Ramayana...I was just flabbergasted seeing many such thematic miniature Sheets in Dad's collection...from Bollywood stars and singers to Indian Railways...our Post Office has done an excellent job bringing out these collectibles.

#Philately #miniaturesheets

The Kalakaua Coin: Hawaii: 1883

 Coin:

Kalakaua I (I know, unusual name) King of Hawaii

Year 1883.

This coin took quite some time to find.. first we found it as a tie clip.. coin not removable...and the search continued.

Finally we found this one (1/4 dollar ) some months back.

Known officially as the Hawaiian Silver Dollar, originally issued in denominations of 1 dollar, 50 cents, 25 cents, and 10 cents.

History: The coin was issued under the reign of King David Kalākaua, as part of Hawaii's brief effort to establish its own currency system.

The production was limited, and the coins were primarily minted for circulation within the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Approximately 500,000 coins of the silver dollar denomination were minted in 1883, but many were melted down after Hawaii's annexation, adding to their rarity.

The series was discontinued after Hawaii's annexation by the United States in 1898, making these coins a valuable collector's item today.

#numismatics #coins

A LARIN COIN

 

Featured : A Larin Coin

What is a Larin Coin?

The Larin was a type of silver currency shaped like a long, bent, or twisted piece of metal, resembling a fishhook or a strip of wire.

This distinctive shape was practical for carrying and served as a convenient form of currency in regions engaged in maritime trade.

Historical Context in Bijapur.

The Larin coins of Bijapur were primarily used during the 16th and 17th centuries when the Sultanate was a key player in trade across the Indian Ocean, dealing with merchants from Persia, Arabia, and East Africa.

Design Features

Material: Typically made of high-quality silver.

Shape: A curved, elongated strip of metal, often twisted or shaped into a loop or hook.

Inscriptions: The coins often bore inscriptions in Persian, the court language of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and sometimes featured the name of the ruler or religious invocations.

Weight: The weight and value of Larin coins varied, often depending on regional trade standards.

Introduction

 Absolutely Amazing - this hobby of collecting currency notes, coins, stamps, telephone cards, matchbox labels, brooke bond cards and albums. Here's hoping you all enjoy it - Dad started this hobby in the '60s, and it's absolutely amazing, the way the collection is, today.

To start, here's a Notgeld(The term "Notgeld" translates to "emergency money" in German).

History: Notgeld was most commonly issued during World War I, the hyperinflation period in Germany in the 1920s, and in other times of crisis when government-issued currency couldn't meet demand.

It was used primarily in Germany, Austria, and some neighbouring countries.

Materials:

Unlike traditional currency, Notgeld was made from a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, leather, aluminum, zinc, porcelain, and even silk.

The material often depended on local resources available at the time.

Interesting? More on this coming up soon.

Pic description: German notgeld issued in Strelitz depicting a ‘wealthy looking fat man’.