Rare Finds is a bidorbuy blog about antiques and collectibles, including coins, stamps, gems and militaria

Collecting sneakers

by Lana on October 4, 2017

The history of sneakers goes back almost two centuries, but they became an object of interest to collectors only about four decades ago. This type of footwear saw the light of day in the 1830s, when the British Liverpool Rubber Company released simple, …

The R5 Griqua Town coin

Coins

by Lana on April 21, 2016

If you are a regular visitor to the bidorbuy Coins and Notes category, you may have noticed there is a relative new-comer: the R5 Griqua Town coin. This commemorative coin was issued in 2015 by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to mark the …

Grading notes in South Africa

Coins

by Mandisa on April 11, 2016

It's finally here! We are all aware of the note grading companies overseas. The problem with overseas grading is the cost due to the rand/dollar rate, the time it takes to send out and receive and of course, the shipping costs. All in all it …

Jellyfish on South African stamps

Stamps

by Lana on March 4, 2016

Jellyfish are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some find these creatures vaguely repulsive, probably due their mushy and squashy physique. Some find them positively terrifying, a state of mind that seems to be in close correlation to having been stung by a …

Royal Albert porcelain

Antiques & Collectables

by Lana on February 9, 2016

The name Royal Albert brings to mind delicate tea cups that Victorians might have used. For a good reason: Victorians did use them. If Thomas Wild and Co. wanted to win the favour of the upper British classes by naming their table and tea …

Rare and expensive

Top Rare Finds

by Lana on January 8, 2016

A Rolex watch can be much, much more always expensive, but this 9 Carat Gold Rolex Half Hunter pocket watch, to give it its full name, is what the seller justifiably calls “a rare find”. It dates from around 1920s or 1930s and, old as it is, still works …

Spade, lion, turtle

Coins

by Lana on November 3, 2015

And the first coin ever minted was… read on to find out! Today, you can’t trade if you don’t have money. Long ago, it was the other way around: you didn’t need money if there was no trade. That is why the first “true” coins …

Royal Doulton porcelain

Antiques & Collectables

by Alex on October 12, 2015

The secret of porcelain was closely guarded by the Chinese for generations. The method of its manufacture was highly coveted by Europe and when the Europeans finally learned the arcana of porcelain in the 18th century, a thriving industry immediately came …

Militaria cufflinks

Militaria

by Lana on September 21, 2015

Collect them on their own or as a part of a larger collection, for example of military uniforms and accessories; cufflinks in general; or cufflinks and men’s jewellery. There is something inherently gallant about cufflinks. And what to say …

Dreaming of Africana

Antiques & Collectables

by Lana on August 26, 2015

Some may miss the hunt and driving hundreds of kilometres to visit crafts markets and small stores. However, most of us will welcome the opportunity to find antique, vintage, traditional or derived South African and African artefacts on …

How to ship collectible stamps

General

by Bobbie on July 8, 2015

We must admit that the task of having to familiarise yourself with the right shipping process can be daunting when shipping stamps, especially collectable ones, because they can be very valuable. Bearing in mind the value of your rare find, you are likely …

RAREFINDS

Collecting sneakers

The R5 Griqua Town coin

Grading notes in South Africa

Jellyfish on South African stamps

Royal Albert porcelain

Rare and expensive

Spade, lion, turtle

Royal Doulton porcelain

Militaria cufflinks

Dreaming of Africana

How to ship collectible stamps

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