The hobby that lasts a lifetime
I recommend collecting to all. Choose the category that suits you or take the plunge and collect a wide variety of unique and interesting treasures. It is always fun and can be profitable. Collecting brings you joy, knowledge, appreciation of and an understanding of how far our society has come and where we have come from. I started collecting some forty years ago and the enjoyment and thrill of interesting ‘finds’ still continues.
I hope everyone has recovered from the recent flood events. A lot of clean up required. It is wonderful how most people bounce back after disasters. Thank goodness for all those fantastic volunteers, helpers, supporters and those who are just there. We thank you all.
Our new shop, Antiques & Old Wares – 12 Isabella Street in Wingham, is keeping Dave and I both busy and entertained. Lots of variety, with many unique finds to be discovered. The collecting hobby has now continued into our retirement years. If you get a chance, call in and say hello. Whilst in Wingham also call in to our ‘best little MUSEUM’ anywhere which is on the corner of Bent Street. You will be amazed with the displays.
Another shop to keep you entertained is Sue’s Delinquent Funk with vintage, retro and antique items. Again, in Wingham, there are some delicious cafes, bakeries and eateries. Well worth the day trip.
Barry has Isadora’s Antiques in Victoria St, Taree and has a great variety of unique items. Darren, right at the school end of Manchester St in Tinonee, has wonderful antique clocks on display and for sale and is also deals a clock repairer.
Many old timers to youngsters enjoy collecting coins. Some advice for the new coin collector. DON’T CLEAN YOUR COINS, this can devalue them greatly. Pick up a magnifier or loupe to view your coins or potential purchases more closely. Store your coins away from PVC. Many coin storage accessories contain PVC so ask the question before you purchase albums, coin pocket pages or coin flips. “Are these PVC free?”
Collect what you like, not what other people tell you that you should be collecting. Coin collecting is supposed to be a hobby, and therefore enjoyable. If you are doing something because you’ve been told you have to do it, not because you’d like to and want to, makes you lose the enjoyment. Nothing kills interest and enthusiasm in a hobby like turning that hobby into something that doesn’t suit you. And if other people tell you, “those coins are useless junk, why are you collecting those”, your answer is simple: “I like them and I enjoy collecting them”. There are no rules about what you can and cannot do.
Stay connected with other collectors. Joining an Internet forum is a good start. You might want to consider joining a local coin club. Make friends with your local coin dealers. It has been scientifically proven that coin collecting is not a hereditary disease; this means it can be a lonely pursuit at times, with perhaps nobody else in your family or circle of friends understanding your passion. It helps if you have reminders now and then that you are not the only crazy coin collector on the planet.
Learn whatever you can about the coins that interest you. Again, Internet forums are a great place to learn. Other websites are good, too (let Google be your friend). Buy or borrow coin books and read them; the old guys at the coin club always say “first the book, then the coin” – meaning, spend money on books before spending money on coins, otherwise you are more than likely going to be wasting your money. Take every opportunity to examine and study coins, even coins that do not belong to you (this is where “making friends” and “joining a coin club” can assist you).
Beware of eBay; there are plenty of sharks in that ocean. In particular, be aware of things that sound “too good to be true”, because they probably are. Beware of clueless sellers selling valuable “mint errors” that are really just worthless damaged coins. Beware of coin sellers from China; that is where most of the modern fakes are coming form these days. If there is something you are not sure of ask questions before purchasing.
A valuable resource for any collector in this category is – Rennik’s ‘Australian Coin & Bank Note Values.’ – put out yearly.
If you have Antique or Old Wares, (from shed to fine display items), that you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals &/or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting treasures.
Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.
Take care and stay safe!