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

The edge of a coin

by Lana on July 11, 2017

Have you ever noticed that many coins have engravings around their edge, usually in the shape of miniature vertical lines? These edges are usually referred to as reeded or milled in the United Kingdom, and ridged or grooved in the United States of …

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 …

Bottle openers and corkscrews for collectors

Antiques & Collectables

by Lana on June 19, 2015

Collecting bottle openers and corkscrews has a lot going for it. It is an engrossing hobby; the exhibits can fit into a shoebox; and it can be enjoyed on a shoe-string budget. The truth is that most people start collecting openers because they …

Porcelain – China’s gift to the world

Antiques & Collectables

by Alex on March 16, 2015

China is country of many firsts. It could even be said the much of mankind's history is the history of China. The Chinese invented what many historians consider to be most ground breaking inventions in world history: Gunpowder, Paper, Printing and the …

RAREFINDS

The edge of a coin

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

Bottle openers and corkscrews for collectors

Porcelain – China’s gift to the world

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