Just wondering if anyone collects other non-numismatic objects or has an interesting object(s) that they would like to share. It could be historically significant or outright weird. Just curious to see what other things Numista members collect.
I'll start with this souvenir match holder made from the teak of HMS Warspite. I believe it was made from salvaged timbers when the grand old lady was broken up after WWII. Particularly interesting today since she took part in the Battle of Jutland. Although I doubt that this piece of wood was at Jutland due to the refitting's that she had throughout her service life.
I've got a fairly sizeable collection of postcards from my home city, around 75 of them dating from around 1900, with most of them being between 1900 and 1920.
Quote: "neilithic"I've got a fairly sizeable collection of postcards from my home city, around 75 of them dating from around 1900, with most of them being between 1900 and 1920.
I also got into postcards recently, far less interesting than coins, but it's something
I mostly collect from the cities i travelled to.
I used to collect telephone cards and have a large collection of Croatian 90s cards but that's a dead hobby, mobile phones killed it
Other then that I have a large number of USSR, Yugoslavian and Italian post cards, most of them unused. I don't actively collect them but I have them saved up, might be worth something some day.
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
Quote: "cmaclean"Nice. Are any of them WWI related?
No, most of them are of street scenes and prominent buildings from round the city, it's interesting to compare them to what the city looks like now to see how it's changed. Some of them show the main street in the early 1900s and there are horses, bikes and trams on the streets.
Quote: "neilithic" No, most of them are of street scenes and prominent buildings from round the city, it's interesting to compare them to what the city looks like now to see how it's changed. Some of them show the main street in the early 1900s and there are horses, bikes and trams on the streets.
Must be interesting to see how much or how little your city has changed. I visited some of the WWI western front battlefields a few years ago and one of the most fascinating things about it was comparing the photographs I had taken to photographs from WWI and before. Its amazing how quickly cities can recover from war.
Quote: "oggy"I collect 16th-18th century colonial naval Militaria - Naval swords and duelling pistols.
Also, other ship related random stuff.
Funny you mention that, my cannonball arrived today. Was sold as being from the 17th-18th century, no idea how you would date such a thing. weighs about 3lb so I'd assume it was for a light field gun of some kind.
I also collect Ping golf equipment. I have been playing Ping since 1993. Have all Ping irons ever made since 1961, lots of putters, wedges pretty much anything Ping I try to collect.
I collect sooo many different things that it irks my wife . I tried the "norm" stuff that most red-blooded American collects including stamps, rocks, baseball cards, and comic books. But those eventually died out when I was much younger. Nowadays it all coins, historical artifacts, manuscripts, and banknotes. You can look at some of the stuff I have in the link on my signature...
This is an area of collecting I started many years ago. The two shells with the green projectiles, belonged to my grandfather. After he passed away they disappeared but luckily for me, my auntie had them. I pestered her for some time and finally they became mine, so started this little collection.
They range for .303 & 7.65mm to the large one at the back which is a Germam 150mm shell case dated 1915.
My eldest shell, if you can find it, is the shell case to the right of the aluminium case with two red stripes. The shell has been silver plates, although blackened now, and has been engraves with a crest, which I do not know its origin and is engraved 1901.
Other items in the photograph are a Remington bayonet (left joist) and a Wilkinson bayonet (right).
On the shelf, left to right, Genman field fork, Luftwaffe spoon, Luftwaffe belt buckle, Luftwaffe dagger, Hitler Youth dagger, WWI cigarette case (Iron Cross is missing) and a Lusitania medal
I used to collect phone cards (not very seriously, and I hadn't seen any in years) and Moscow subway tickets (for a while they had all kinds of assorted ads on them).
Still kind of collecting sugar packs (again, not very seriously).
Used to collect chocolate coins as well, but they're a lot harder to get a hold of lately. (Fun fact: Colnect does not have a chocolate coin section.) Still looking for several types (the chocolate Dutch ducat, in particular) that used to be common in the early 2010s but apparently not recently.
Quote: "COINMAN1"
This is an area of collecting I started many years ago. The two shells with the green projectiles, belonged to my grandfather. After he passed away they disappeared but luckily for me, my auntie had them. I pestered her for some time and finally they became mine, so started this little collection.
They range for .303 & 7.65mm to the large one at the back which is a Germam 150mm shell case dated 1915.
My eldest shell, if you can find it, is the shell case to the right of the aluminium case with two red stripes. The shell has been silver plates, although blackened now, and has been engraves with a crest, which I do not know its origin and is engraved 1901.
Other items in the photograph are a Remington bayonet (left joist) and a Wilkinson bayonet (right).
On the shelf, left to right, Genman field fork, Luftwaffe spoon, Luftwaffe belt buckle, Luftwaffe dagger, Hitler Youth dagger, WWI cigarette case (Iron Cross is missing) and a Lusitania medal
Wow, nice collection. What is the strange shell on the far right of the photograph? What period are the two long bayonets from? I like the layout of your collection, it looks like some sort of shrine to war.
I used to collect WWI/WWII stuff when I was around 12-13 (I was a weird kid, now I'm a weird adult). Here is some of it:
The British and (maybe) Italian rounds are unused WWII issue (deactivated of course).
And a PPSH41 drum magazine and pouch.
I've also got a German WWII style bullet pouch. I don't know if its German or original, but it was used as a prop in the production of Band of Brothers.
The shell on the right is a modern (1980's) shell that had many uses. The brown area was painter different colours to denote type. The paint from mine has been stripped off, so do not know original colour. I was informed that this one was a fairy light shell. After launching, it travelled for a certain length of time, according to timer at the top, (grey part), then internal explosion broke it in two pieces. The fairy light then glowed as it parachuted to the ground.
The bayonets are both from WWI period although the Wilkinson (right) is dated prior to 1914
Pictures of a rack of 72 bullets. All dated in late 60's
I like your items too.
Further to above, 100 years ago yesterday, I knew exactly where my Grandfather was, as he was at the Battle of Jutland
I collect old pre-1900 firearms in general, plus just got an 1850's Sumatran dagger in which is pretty fascinating!
On the side i do like old cameras and binoculars too!
Quote: "AngHol"I collect old pre-1900 firearms in general, plus just got an 1850's Sumatran dagger in which is pretty fascinating!
On the side i do like old cameras and binoculars too!
Any chance you could help ID this rifle? Found it a while back but I don't know anything about it, don't need the exact model or anything like that just a age estimate if possible:
I have a tendency to collect everything old I come across, my house if full of old documents, books, furniture, lamps etc, got a old camera somewhere too just need to find it. It's kind of getting out of hand and I'll probably have to take some of it to the local antique shop just to make room for more
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
Quote: "AngHol"I collect old pre-1900 firearms in general, plus just got an 1850's Sumatran dagger in which is pretty fascinating!
On the side i do like old cameras and binoculars too!
Any chance you could help ID this rifle? Found it a while back but I don't know anything about it, don't need the exact model or anything like that just a age estimate if possible:
I have a tendency to collect everything old I come across, my house if full of old documents, books, furniture, lamps etc, got a old camera somewhere too just need to find it. It's kind of getting out of hand and I'll probably have to take some of it to the local antique shop just to make room for more
Not sure about it because the pictures aren't too clear but the double-trigger probably implies it's a shotgun rather than a rifle!
Quote: "AngHol"Not sure about it because the pictures aren't too clear but the double-trigger probably implies it's a shotgun rather than a rifle!
Yeah, I took the pictures with my phone, don't have a decent camera. It was found in a old vine cellar and has no visible text or marks on it to help id it, would love to find out just how old it is one day... Anyway, thanks for looking!
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
Quote: "AngHol"Not sure about it because the pictures aren't too clear but the double-trigger probably implies it's a shotgun rather than a rifle!
Yeah, I took the pictures with my phone, don't have a decent camera. It was found in a old vine cellar and has no visible text or marks on it to help id it, would love to find out just how old it is one day... Anyway, thanks for looking!
It honestly could be anywhere from 1800-1950's. I'd guesstimate at circa 1850 but i'm not very knowledgeable.
I'm just saying that it's an interesting crossover. People collecting both coins and ammo/firearms. I have a couple of rifles and various ex-army ammo but it's mostly for use rather than collecting.
Quote: "COINMAN1"The shell on the right is a modern (1980's) shell that had many uses. The brown area was painter different colours to denote type. The paint from mine has been stripped off, so do not know original colour. I was informed that this one was a fairy light shell. After launching, it travelled for a certain length of time, according to timer at the top, (grey part), then internal explosion broke it in two pieces. The fairy light then glowed as it parachuted to the ground.
The bayonets are both from WWI period although the Wilkinson (right) is dated prior to 1914
Pictures of a rack of 72 bullets. All dated in late 60's
I like your items too.
Further to above, 100 years ago yesterday, I knew exactly where my Grandfather was, as he was at the Battle of Jutland
It's photos like that that bring history to life. Really makes you feel for the poor guy that had to carry thousands of rounds of ammo around, must have weighed a ton. Sorry if this is too personal, but do you remember your grandfather? It must be amazing to hear recollections of the Battle of Jutland from people who were there.
All of my family members that experienced WWII died before I was born but my great aunt recorded her memories in a book (was full of oral testimony from old people in the Glasgow area). Thanks to her I have a lot of stories that would have otherwise been lost forever. She served as a nurse and was on duty in the hospital that Rudolf Hess was held in after he dropped into Scotland. She recalled that she saw him up close but did not speak to him. I also met a soldier who served as a guard at the Nuremberg Trials. He was responsible for guarding lower ranked SS members. I met him when I was around 13 so I don't remember most of the details but he was clearly shocked by the testimony that he heard from his prisoners.
Quote: "neilithic"I'm just saying that it's an interesting crossover. People collecting both coins and ammo/firearms. I have a couple of rifles and various ex-army ammo but it's mostly for use rather than collecting.
They appeal to me because I think that they help bring history to life. There is an awesome feeling when you hold a coin that was minted at the Tower of London during the reign of Edward I. Or from holding shrapnel that was expended during the Battle of the Somme etc.. I was mainly interested in WWII when I was younger so I was drawn to items from that period. Now that I'm interested in coins I find myself buying coins from whatever period I'm interested in at that current moment. For example, I'm currently reading 'The Romanovs 1613-1918' by Simon Sebag Montefiore so I'm not surprised that I have recently bought a few Imperial Russian coins. I ultimately end up with a varied coin collection from all sorts of different places and periods.
Yes,
I remember my grandfather well. He died when I was 14. I had at that time little interest in the wars, so never spoken to him about it. Really regret that now.
A few years later, when my father was treasurer of the local British Legion, I would go with him and meet all sorts of ex-servicemen.
Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, Lancaster bomber crew members and many others who were able to talk of there experiences.
Being nearly 64, I suppose I was in the right place at the right time.
I have my grandfathers, my grandmother's and my father's medals
Quote: "Quant.Geek"I collect sooo many different things that it irks my wife .
I feel your pain my friend. There is something about women and collecting which just doesn't jive. My dear wife dismisses my coin collection in the most depressing of terms. "Oh, he buys money".
It's fortunate that she's a red blooded Southern girl who grew up with firearms. I can spend $500 on a nice shotgun and she won't even blink but spend $5 on a coin and she's all eye rollin'.
She collects porcelain dolls, the most expensive ones are kept in cardboard crates with cheesecloth face masks and paper gloves protecting their fingers. All I see is a big ole pile of cardboard boxes but she did manage to pick up a pickaninny doll from the 1920's which is worth several thousand $ so it's all good.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
As this turned into some rememberance discussion, I could resist and add my story. Well, not entirely mine, but I regard it interesting.
I also regret never asking my Grandparents about the war. They both passed away only year and 4 years ago, but I never had the chance as gradpa was the type of no-talker and grandma suffered greatly from Parkinson disease.
Grandma was born in 1937 in Austria and lived later part of the war in the Vienna. During one of the bombings, whole family was forced to run on the street, only to see the whole building going down behind them several moments after. (Several members of her family fought in the war, one still lays unburried somewhere in the Russian Kalinigrad enclave)
Grandpa was another matter, born still in Austria-Hungary in 1918 (few months before creation of Czechoslovakia), and thus in his 20's during the war was enslaved by Germans and sent to Austria for forced labour. Sent home after the war, he got a farm from Germans we forcefully expulsed from Czechoslovakia.
By some twisted fate, there was hunger and no work in after war Austria, so my grandma made a decision and run to Austria. Arrested by communists and treated as a spy, she was put to jail with minimal care and food for 7 weeks. Thankfully, her sister was already in Czechoslovakia (made a run here few months before and was arrested and jailed the same way) so she was at least cared about a little. She was released on precondition of work on the farm - where Grandpa was working, and you know it, love, even when they were almost 20 years apart... While her sister returned after she got the chance, grandma stayed in Czechoslovakia.
Both of them had stories to tell, and I regret not asking more. (Know this from documents and from my grand-aunt)
As a student of history, I would like to say I am collector of memories. This one is mine, and as if it was my coin, I am giving it to you.
I really liked your post Jarcek. I’ve never thought about it in that way but I’m probably also a “memory collector”. As far as I can remember I have been fascinated by the past and listened eagerly to old people's stories.
In my family there is a lot of stories but when they are translate into english they lose something. So maybe I will show some pictures of my great grandfather. He was fighter pilot and a military instructor at the military airport in Toruń before WWII:
Two first pictures my great grandfather and great grandmother, and some meeting in front my house (Im still live in it).
The rest pictures also from my great grandfather colection - the beginning of history of Polish airmen. Many of them was fight after that for Great Britain... and forgotten.
I collect to much, everything. But here is an odd one Sewing needles. For you younger ones, at one time sewing as a every day thing. And needles were an important part of life.
here is a wood case for sewing machine needles from the Boye company
here is a metal sewing kit with two spools of thread. in the middle tube take off lid a place for needles and room for some buttons : It is "The Ladies Toggepy
And here is a metal box to put your needles in The Torrington company
Here are some needles , yes , Made in England
the odd thing is I really don't go out an look for them. They just find away to me. Have some needles from Germany too. The adds from the 1950's are interesting to But collect milk bottles , milk bottles tops <LIDS> And everything elseto yours daryl
Further to the on-going discussion of war memorabilia, I also collect medals from WWII, and below is one of my favourites.
It was not won for bravery or even being in a certain place, as are most medals, especially German.
This medal was given to people who helped set up the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Only around 39,000 were issued and I am the proud owner of one of them, and with its original box.
I try to collect all my passports, boarding passes and ID's from all the countries I have lived... So far I request a new passport every 2 years, and get about 50-80 boarding passes every year... I have a shoe box full of crap!!!
Many years ago, I used to collect soda/beer cans... I think this was a big thing in the eighties/early nineties... Then I did telephone cards, Coins were there since I was a baby as my mom had a small collection and she always showed to me, I helped out with few coins but nothing serious until 2-3 years ago.
Nice to see I am not the only nutcase around... Well a sane one, at least I am not crazy with some ammo around...
I guess I can see some of you walking around the house in white underwear with your guns saying Pew Pew Murrika
I would now like to add another of the medals that I have acquires over the years. The ribbon is not original, but have taken me over 25years to find the correct one.
The medal is German, WWI, and is a Military Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swordsin original box.
Love stuff like this as it have a hidden history which make the brain work overtime to workout who could possibly have received it, and what did he/she do, to be awarded such a medal.
Photographs below
My Grandfather was a "prospector" in Northern Quebec and Ontario during the 1920's and 30's. In short, many months alone in the wilderness searching for the "mother lode".
This was his Dipping Needle.....
Essentially a very large compass which one held vertically, rather than horizontally. He could then map the ore vein horizontally.
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure, that just ain't so. Mark Twain
Nice medals, particularly the 1936 Olympics one. I often wonder if the participants/spectators had any idea of the coming storm. I've got a few fairly common medals stored away somewhere, I'll post them if I find them. How high up was the Military Merit cross on the pecking order and what would a soldier need to do to be awarded one?
I have attached the pages of my Great Aunts account of the two world wars. Its relatively brief but there are a lot of interesting details. She sets out her own experiences and the experiences of my Great and Great Great Grandfather (plus their respective brothers) in WWI and WWII. The oldest brother in the navy that she refers to is my Great Grandfather. She gave this account in 1994 and died a few years later in 1997.
She refers to quite a lot of stuff in a short account, including attitudes towards German POWs in Scotland, the Clydebank Blitz, nursing the wounded, the Holocaust and her family members war experiences.
I ironically owe my existence to smoking. My Great Granddad survived a sinking (one of 3 according to family stories, only 2 are referred to in this account) because he was smoking on deck at the time the ship was hit. If he had died then my gran would never have been born. I guess smoking doesn't always kill (I preemptively apologise for that awful joke).
Yes, I have also wondered what the recipient of the Olympic medal thought a few years later.
As for the Merit Cross.
It appears to be known officially as Military Merit Cross (Bavaria).
Found information on Wikipedia
Great fotos, thanks for sharing Geralt. My grandfather was shot twice by Polish airplane during the invasion of Poland.
If you like coins, medals and tokens with ship motives follow my new instagram account with regular updates @numisnautiker
From time to time I sell some coins on Ebay make sure to follow me @apuking on Ebay.
Yes, I have also wondered what the recipient of the Olympic medal thought a few years later.
As for the Merit Cross, I have yet to find any information on it, so it is a continuous investigation.
If any one has any ideas, then please let me know
Quote: "cmaclean"I have attached the pages of my Great Aunts account of the two world wars. Its relatively brief but there are a lot of interesting details. She sets out her own experiences and the experiences of my Great and Great Great Grandfather (plus their respective brothers) in WWI and WWII. The oldest brother in the navy that she refers to is my Great Grandfather. She gave this account in 1994 and died a few years later in 1997.
Thanks for that article. I'm very glad that the account exists, otherwise I would have no idea about most of the events. Just shows how valuable and fascinating the experiences of the war generation are. It's a shame that most stories are never heard or preserved.
My granddad's war story is not that great. He went to sign up, got turned down because he had flat feet, then spent the rest of the war mooching around at home in New Zealand
My one grandpa's war story comes down to "born a month before the war, somehow managed to be evacuated". I don't know enough about my other grandpa to take a guess at his war story (don't even know how old he would have been).
I did get to hear my great uncle's war story, or some of it at least - he mentioned the specific place his part of the army went through, Nyiregyhaza (sp?) in Hungary. I have no idea what they were doing here, and obviously it wasn't the only place they went through, but he never mentioned any other.
Quote: "neilithic"My granddad's war story is not that great. He went to sign up, got turned down because he had flat feet, then spent the rest of the war mooching around at home in New Zealand
I once collected plastic soldiers around 40 years ago but that is as far as it goes regarding war memorabilia.
What I do keep my eye out for is anything made of gold, silver or platinum that has been given or awarded for an achievement or an action, excluding war medals.
I especially like to find anything associated with a sport, this is getting much harder nowadays though
Here is something I picked up a couple of weeks ago, I had to buy a bulk lot of silver to get it but that wasn't a problem due to the price of the lot.
Not sure yet what it was awarded for or it may just have been an item purchased but that's why I like items like this, it cant just be identified by clicking a few buttons
The Golf tournament only ran for 5 years with 92 being the last year so information is limited,
A silver dish engraved - Volvo open, Firenze ( Florence ) 26 - 29 Marzo ( March ) 1992
Hopefully it wont take too long to figure it out but I don't care if it takes 10 years
I deny nothing but doubt everything, opinions are made to be changed, how else is the truth to be gotten at.
Quote: "muygrandeoso"I have some Santa Clara pottery from the 1930's, and I collected and cut gemstones many years ago....Still have some around.
Nice gems. I have a collection of minerals and fossils. I start to collect them when I start my geological studies.
Besides coin collecting I also drink beer as my hobby I try to drink as many different beers as possible and I take a picture of each bottle. So far I have around 160 pictures of different beer bottles. Not bad for about year and a half of drinking/collecting
My grandad was born in a very small village called Jagostica in Serbia. He was the oldest of 6 children and only he was old enough to go to the war once wwii started (I believe he was 18) Serbia was fighting agains several different enemies at once and also there was a civil war at the same time where communists were fighting king's army. He was originally recruited by Cetniks (kings army) but later during the war (I don't know the reason and details) ended up fighting for Communist Tito's Partisans. I know that he was captured by Cetniks once after that but was given freedom because my granddad's cousin was famous Cetnik fighter. I also know that he was wounded in his neck but I don't know in what battle. He told me that once he saved a life to an older Bosnian Muslim who fought in the same unit with my granddad. That man had several daughters and he wanted my granddad to marry one of his daughters after the war. My granddad agreed but the man got killed before the war ended so my grandad had to look for another wife I also know that my grandad mostly fought in Bosnia and I know that he was there when Sarajevo was liberated. He said he arrived after fighting was over and he slept in an apotechary for days. That's where he stayed until the war was officially over. He was asked to play soccer for FC Sarajevo and he accepted the offer. He said it was so interesting to travel from town to town just to play a game of soccer, but adventaully he gave up on his soccer career and quit.
My grandad had no education and finished "a reading course" after the war. His village was completely disconnected from the rest of the Serbiaso he has never seen things like watermelon or lemon before the war. Also he did not know that other languages except Serbian exist. He was so surprised to hear some arrested Germans speak in a tong he does not understand :)
My granddad was great man, loved by everyone and by all his grand children. He died in 2012 and he was about 90 years old ( o yeah, he doesn't really know his birthday date but he knows he was born during a winter. His ID says he was born in January 29th but he made up that date)
Our grandparents lived in more interesting times. War is an awful thing and I'm glad that subsequent generations have largely been spared. It does create great men though who rise to the moment.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Great men indeed and women.
If you are ever in London, go and visit The Imperial War Museum. As part of the museum, you will find Lord Ashcroft's collection of Victoria Cross winners and other distinguished people who have gained other highly decorated medals.
If, like me, you like to read the history of each winner, please be aware that you could be in the museum for quite some time.
There is plenty of other things to see and a great little cafe, so you can give your brain a rest.
Attached is just a sample photograph.
If you are into medals, war history, then this is the place to go. Brilliant museum and its free
It seems there's a lot of crossover between coins and weapons! I also have a small bullet collection, just a few shells from my grandfather. He used to enter sharpshooter competitions.
It makes sense though, we're all historians in one way or another, it's reasonable that other aspects of the field would interest us.
When you talk to other collectors, it is easy for us to explain what we do and why we do it.
Others ask why I collect stuff from the past. My answer is quite simple.
I AM UNABLE TO COLLECT THINGS FROM THE FUTURE.
This confuses them even more.
That's a fascinating story PajaSkot. You are very lucky to have known such an interesting man.
There is something awesome about seeing a Victoria Cross in person. I've seen a few at the National War Museum of Scotland and my university museum has one on display. I'd like to visit the Imperial War Museum someday.
Quote: "COINMAN1"Great men indeed and women.
If you are ever in London, go and visit The Imperial War Museum. As part of the museum, you will find Lord Ashcroft's collection of Victoria Cross winners and other distinguished people who have gained other highly decorated medals.
If, like me, you like to read the history of each winner, please be aware that you could be in the museum for quite some time.
There is plenty of other things to see and a great little cafe, so you can give your brain a rest.
Attached is just a sample photograph.
If you are into medals, war history, then this is the place to go. Brilliant museum and its free
I don't think you'll find many New Zealanders wanting to go into a British war museum. English officers were not New Zealand's favourite people...especially in world war 1
. I tried the "norm" stuff that most red-blooded American collects including stamps, rocks, baseball cards, and comic books. But those eventually died out when I was much younger. Nowadays it all coins, historical artifacts, manuscripts, and banknotes. You can look at some of the stuff I have in the link on my signature... 
. She loves Sponge Bob and didn't like my QG username. So, I went with it 
I try to drink as many different beers as possible and I take a picture of each bottle. So far I have around 160 pictures of different beer bottles. Not bad for about year and a half of drinking/collecting 
