Do numismatic protocols influence your non-coin life?
Weiss
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I think many of us are collectors of lots of things. I don't know that I've ever met a coin collector who didn't branch off into similar interests.
Coin collecting has one mantra that has been drilled into my head since I was a kid: You don't clean coins. Certainly there are exceptions. But as a rule, I think we tend to be incredibly careful with original skins. We know that even careful polishing damages fragile surfaces--forever and irreversibly.
I've noticed that "barn finds", and "unrestored" classic cars are (or were) the hot item recently. Lately I've heard more than one announcer on car auction and rebuild shows say "It's only original once". After a lifetime of seeing "fully restored, show-quality rebuild, frame off restorations" as the pinnacle of the auto world, I think this is a refreshing change.
I've been building a collection of antique silver mugs. When offered for sale, these pieces are shiny shiny shiny! Blast white. Fully polished. It's my understanding this is normal, and that polishing on a regular basis is considered proper care. Can you imagine an auction house or dealer doing this with coins? If I ever polish my pieces, it will be incredibly carefully so as not to damage the surfaces and especially the fragile 200+ year old hallmarks--that in many cases are literally worn away and lost forever after centuries of polishing.
I was doing some insurance documentation this morning and turned over this creamer we bought at auction about 10 years ago. The coin collector in me was delighted with this tone. But I'm sure most sterling collectors would be embarrassed by it:
Similarly, I restored a 100+ year old building 6 years back. We excavated the parking lot and found several privies, containing hundreds of intact antique bottles. Among them was this "For Pikes Peak" flask created in the mid-1800s. I still can't believe it survived over 100 years in the ground, next to other bottles, bricks, roots, and scrap metal only to be dug up by shovels and backhoes, to be found without a scratch.
Bottle collectors (correct me if I'm wrong), seem to desire bottles that have been tumbled and polished rather than those with original surfaces. I can't imagine ever cleaning this piece with anything other than warm water.
This is how a bottle dealer is offering a similar piece. It makes me cringe:
Are you a collector of other things, and has your collecting protocols been influenced by numismatics? Or is it vice-versa? Have the other things you collect influenced your coin collecting?
--Severian the Lame
Comments
What I carry into my non-coin life is honesty, integrity, and fairness.
Cheers
Bob
Start a shop on ebay called rainbow toned silver housewares ......
Buy it all up, start a trend and make yourself rich.....
Different collectibles have different rules. In Coins cleaning is a NO! In Sterling Silver cleaning/polishing is a YES! In Antique furniture cleaning/refinishing is a NO ... even though the refinished pieces often look much better than they did before the refinishing. In Cars there are tow trains of thought; one likes cars restored to showroom stock and the other likes their cars original (try fining a Korean War era car with pristine original chrome). I wonder just how the "rules" came to be?
Firearms for me. I want old guns to look I want to shoot them. Old airplanes should be flown and nice cars driven. Like coins, I have little use for presentation pieces or items made specifically for collectors. I guess that's why I don't care for proof coins.
That reminds me...... I have a pistol from WWI that I need to take out and shoot for its 100th birthday...... The workmanship, machining, and quality are truly outstanding.
I recently on Instagram put out a feeler, but didn't get any bites on selling and transferring the Ebay username of-rainbowtoners. Slightly similar and would almost work for auctioning some stunning toned pieces of silverware.
Chance favors the prepared mind.
You know I like the silver wares.
My YouTube Channel
Nice tone on that sterling piece!
My YouTube Channel
I collect books. They are preferred to be as printed.
fossil collector and i have 4 pieces of jade
graded coins for sake at link below
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iotDXQgJspiNsZYYA
I don't think the rules of one collectible niche carry over to others, each is independent.
as an example, and since most people have a certain Romantic draw to cars from their formative years, classics often turn up in rural areas that have been left unattended for decades. I couldn't see finding an old Impala with surface rust on the body, torn seats, a leaky carb, broken glass and a hole in the exhaust that I would want to drive around and ride in proudly. similarly, I'd clean that bottle, but that's just me.
Different hobbies, different rules.... I like my firearms to be clean and functional (I do not collect antique firearms), old decks of cards should be complete and not creased, marbles are preferred without chips and books should be undamaged. Cheers, RickO
I have always honored the 'confirmation', in my business and personal life. As a dealer, if you confirm 4 bags of 90 for Thursday delivery, it doesn't matter what the price of silver does in the meantime, those bags are yours......at the agreed upon price. It's a good platform for both business and real life.......
No.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
For the past two years at the Woodward Dream Cruise a car buff has exhibited, and driven, an original, unrestored cream and green 1902 Rambler automobile. (I seem to recall the serial number was 26.) It is complete and in amazing original condition. That kind of original condition I like. So far as rusted out junk from the 1960's goes ... no thanks.
What non-coin life?
Fan of the Oxford Comma
CCAC Representative of the General Public
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
That bottle is really cool.
I have always looked at old bottles at flea markets, etc., and find them interesting, but haven't pursued it.
I think storage/display would be an issue.
Very good thread; and I like the bottle with warts and bruises much better.