Coin Collecting Opens the Door to the Past
Coin Collecting Opens the Door to the Past
Amateur coin collectors generally start their coin collection by collecting coins that belong to their own country, as this is the easiest and the most cost effective way to start a coin collection. With time this may give way to specializing in collecting coins that belong to a particular type. Coin collectors may specialize in coins of a particular country or of a particular period or metal. Commemorative coins, such as those released during sporting events or those that mark the independence day of a country, can also make an appealing collection. Coins with faults or defects are also popular among serious collectors.
As with any other hobby, the coin collection market is flooded with fakes and if you are not an expert in this field it is very difficult to separate the original genuine coins from the counterfeit coins. Before buying expensive coins it is a good idea to get the coin authenticated by reputable coin grading and coin authentication services. The condition of a coin is denoted by a coin grade. For a detailed study on coin grades, read Photograde by James Ruddy. Currently, the more reputable coin grading services are Professional Coin Grading Service, Numismatic Guarantee Corporation of America, ANACS and Independent Coin Grading Co.
The best places to buy coins are reputable coin dealers, auctions, coin shows or from other collectors, though you should avoid buying from the internet as it is hard to judge online whether the coin you are interested in is genuine or counterfeit. Coins may be stored in coin cases, coin trays and coin albums. However, you should avoid storing coins in jars, as keeping them in a jar may scratch the coins.
Amateur coin collectors may mistakenly think that cleaning coins is an important part of caring for the coin collection. However, the opposite is true; it is best that coins are not cleaned at all. Collectors prefer the original look of coins and cleaning coins may bring down their value. If your coins need any cleaning, you should first consult a professional or an expert. Olive oil or soapy water may be used for cleaning coins. Harsh cloths should never be used to clean, and tap water is a strict no-no as they contain minerals that may harm the coins.
The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
A full-colour global guide to world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, featuring coins and collectables from up to 200 countries.
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Review by Kavan U. Ratnatunga for The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
Rating:
I purchased a copy of “The Complete Illustrated Guide to Coins and Coin Collecting” by Dr James Mackay. This is a paperback edition of encyclopedia with similar cover. I found it a beautifully illustrated book but was Shocked to read the text of the introduction to Sri Lanka. It contained many factual errors and reflected a total ignorance of the History and Numismatics of Sri Lanka.
Let me point out a few.
1) Lankan coinage is documented from 3rd Century B.C.
2) The Chola were from south India and invaded Lanka only in 985 and subjugated the Sinhala who migrated and took over the island from the indigenous Veddahs in the 5th Century B. C.
3) Images [1-2] is a Portuguese Tanga counter-marked by dutch
4) The rupee was not in par with the Rix dollar
1 1/3 (i.e. 4/3) rupees equaled 1 Rix Dollar in 1821
5) The 1/3 Farthing did not circulate in Lanka.
6) Images [3-4] is a half cent from 1870 not a fraction of farthing
7) There was no Local currency from 1839 to 1868 - Indian Silver was used along side British brass.
The new emblem was adopted in 1972 coins.
9) Images [13-16] were of commemorative coins issued after 1990
10) The Images [13-14] is slightly smaller than actual size.
In view of these numerous errors in a short bit of text of which I am an expert, I have lost all confidence in the text printed in the guide. I strongly suggest that like Krause, Anness publications, get experts in the numismatics to review and correct the text for each country.
In views of these errors I have corrected the text below and hope this modified text will be used in any future reprints of this Guide or Encyclopedia.
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A number of islands in the Indian Ocean, which were formerly part of the British or French colonial empires, issue their own coins. They range from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), which has a coinage dating back to the 3rd century BC, to the territories that have adopted distinctive coins only in quite recent times.
Following the capture of the island of Ceylon from the Dutch in 1796, and its proclamation as a British crown colony six years later, copper coins were issued by the British in 1802. They bore an Asian elephant on one side and the value or the effigy of George III on the other.
SRI LANKA
The earliest coins were Punch Mark silver of northern India. The Ancient coins of Lanka had the railed Swastika. Medieval Gold, Silver and Copper coins with Standing King “Ceylon Type” were issued from 9th to 15th Century. Coastal area of the island was under Chinese control from 1408 to 1438. Portuguese arrived in 1505. They, in turn, were supplanted by the Dutch in 1658, who counter-marked the Portuguese silver tangas [1-2].
The British took over the Dutch territories in 1796 and made the island into a crown colony in 1802. The British retained the Indo-Dutch currency system, based on the rix-dollar, divided into 48 stivers, or 12 fanams. From 1839 to 1868 British half and quarter farthings and silver three-half-pence also circulated in Ceylon, in addition to Indian silver coinage. In 1872 the currency was decimalized, and the rupee of 100 cents was adopted. Bronze coins of this series [3-4] bore the profile of the reigning monarch (obverse) and a palm tree (reverse) while the silver, or later nickel, coins had the value in numerals in an ornamental reverse [5-8].
Ceylon became a dominion in 1948 but continued to issue coins with the monarch’s effigy until 1957. Thereafter the national emblem was substituted in a series introduced in 1963, with name of country in Sinhala and Tamil in addition to English [9-11]. In 1972 the island became a republic under the name of Sri Lanka (“resplendent island”) and adopted a new emblem on obverse [12]. A few commemoratives have been produced since 1957, when the 2500th anniversary of Buddhism was celebrated, and many more since 1990 [13-16].
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Review by Robert Hamulka for The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
Rating:
great book about coins around the world, many images, coin history facts and collecting guide for every collector, sure increase coin collector knowlegde
Review by Donna Marie Ellis for The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
Rating:
This is a great book, beautifully illustrated. Bought it for my niece who has just started collecting foreign coins. It is easy to use, fully illustrated, and gives great background on foreign countries and their history as well as information regarding the coins themselves. Would highly recommend this book.
Review by Sandi Ackerman for The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
Rating:
I gave this book to my nine year old granddaughter, she carred around and read it and showed it to her friends. They were amazed at the beauty of the coins and did not have any idea that coins could be interesting as well as useful. The book was written in high interest and easy understanding style. Coin collecting is an old but facinating hobby, I loved the fact my granddaughter is interested in it and it gets her up and doing something other than sitting and watching TV or playing video stuff. She loves the book and took it to school and it recieved great amount of praise. Sandi Ackerman
Review by S for The World Encyclopedia of Coins & Coin Collecting: The definitive illustrated reference to the world’s greatest coins and a professional guide to building … featuring over 3000 colour images
Rating:
This was a gift so that is why I only rated it 4 stars. The person who received the gift really enjoys reading this book and uses it as a reference constantly.