What's the most unusual item in your collection?

Einhard

I thought it might be interesting to start a thread on the unusual items in our collections. Obviously the term unusual is itself pretty subjective, so I think the standard should be pretty broad- an artefect might be unusual in itss own right, or else just have an unusual story behind it.

I'll start with something I posted about a few months back. It's the lead bulla from the papal bull of Pope Innocent IV. I think it's unusual because, although they're not tremendously rare, they're not exactly something one sees all the time. The manner by which it came into my hands is also somewhat odd- my granduncle brought in a few coins that he said I could have. He's been collecting for years but in a very haphazard, uninformed kind of way. When I saw the bulla I knew straight away it wasn't a coin, and when I informed him he said I could keep it. Happy day!

Anyway, please share your more unusual items.

Blade

I posted these a while back but seeing as you're asking here, I'll repost them. Here's some Trench art made with Irish coins:

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/159780.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/159781.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161424.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161425.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161426.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161427.JPG

And here's a post I made ages ago with some of my Roman coins and artifacts:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65005969

MasterSun

A gold plated silver bar

Blade

MasterSun wrote: »

A gold plated silver bar

I have that particular one too, pretty unusual too I thought.

Einhard

Blade wrote: »

I posted these a while back but seeing as you're asking here, I'll repost them. Here's some Trench art made with Irish coins:

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/159780.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/159781.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161424.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161425.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161426.JPG
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/35/161427.JPG

Wow, they're really wonderful. So simple yet so evocative. Do you know anything about the person who made them? I wonder why he would have carried Irish coins with him to the trenches? To remind him of home maybe?

And here's a post I made ages ago with some of my Roman coins and
artifacts:


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65005969

Very nice collection there. Do you buy online, or do you get them at fairs/auctions and antique shops? I doubt there's a large market for Roman coins at Irish carboot sales!!:pac:

Blade

Einhard wrote: »

Wow, they're really wonderful. So simple yet so evocative. Do you know anything about the person who made them? I wonder why he would have carried Irish coins with him to the trenches? To remind him of home maybe?

Well in my own mind I suppose I'm imagining these people were Irish and crafted these items with pride for their country, but the reality is I haven't got a clue who made them. I've actually got quite a number of these items made with Irish coins and all were got from different sources, that pot came from France for example! So all different people made them. Those were just a few I had photos of on my hard drive, but I've loads more which I plan on entering (someday) for the Numismatics Society's display competition. It's based on themes and to be honest I'm sure I'll win with this collection! I'm just such a lazy git.

Einhard wrote: »

Very nice collection there. Do you buy online, or do you get them at fairs/auctions and antique shops? I doubt there's a large market for Roman coins at Irish carboot sales!!:pac:

Again, that's just a few of my Roman coin collection that I happened to have pics handy for. Yes all were bought online mainly from a reputable dealer in America. I must add though that even reputable dealers can get caught out with fakes, but that's usually on higher end coins. It's really down to you as a buyer to educate yourself on how to spot them. Beware with some of those 'ancient' coins on Adverts, especially the Greek ones of high grade!

MasterSun

Blade wrote: »

I have that particular one too, pretty unusual too I thought.

I got mine from a Spaniard, but i have no idea where and when it was minted. Do you know it?

sweeney1971

We found a boulder whilst ditching in one of our fields, it was covered in moss and mud but something caught my eye. I cleaned it up and it has a carving about 12 inches high of what looks like a gingerbread man shape, with a face and its arms outstreched, on its body is a criss cross. I have only found one picture on the Internet like it and it was carved on top of a Cornish Celtic Cross. Has anyone any idea's?

Wibbs

Pics would help sweeney1971. That sounds really interesting.

Wibbs

Blade wrote: »

I must add though that even reputable dealers can get caught out with fakes, but that's usually on higher end coins. It's really down to you as a buyer to educate yourself on how to spot them. Beware with some of those 'ancient' coins on Adverts, especially the Greek ones of high grade!

Plus a thousand. IMHO(and I'd not be the only one to think it) at least half of all Roman, Egyptian and Greek antiquities online and especially on ebay are fakes. On ebay I'd say the percentage is even higher. Places like the Saddigh gallery that advertise all over the place especially in US based magazines are famous for being pretty much all fake. Some collectors/dealers use their catalogue to learn about fakes.

Blade

MasterSun wrote: »

I got mine from a Spaniard, but i have no idea where and when it was minted. Do you know it?

I got it from the same Spaniard as you

Those were the only 2 I've ever seen, so no idea of mintage. Haven't checked cause it's put away but maybe there's a hallmark that can be traced?

Einhard

Blade wrote: »

Again, that's just a few of my Roman coin collection that I happened to have pics handy for. Yes all were bought online mainly from a reputable dealer in America. I must add though that even reputable dealers can get caught out with fakes, but that's usually on higher end coins. It's really down to you as a buyer to educate yourself on how to spot them. Beware with some of those 'ancient' coins on Adverts, especially the Greek ones of high grade!

Would you mind sharing the details of the American dealer, either by PM or here? I understand if you don't.

I bought coins recently from Forum. They're recognised as being highly reputable and have a 100% guarantee, so buying from them was reassuring for a newb like me. However, they charge a premium on their coins, so I wouldn't mind venturing further afield in future purchases, and having a list of reputable dealers would be handy for this. Thanks.

Oh, and to sweney1972...would you mind uploading a photo of your find? Sounds really fascinating.

Blade

Einhard wrote: »

Would you mind sharing the details of the American dealer, either by PM or here? I understand if you don't.

I bought coins recently from Forum. They're recognised as being highly reputable and have a 100% guarantee, so buying from them was reassuring for a newb like me. However, they charge a premium on their coins, so I wouldn't mind venturing further afield in future purchases, and having a list of reputable dealers would be handy for this. Thanks.

You're exactly right there, the Forum is a safe place to buy but the coins are way too expensive. So you could educate yourself about fakes with all the info on the Forum, then chance your arm on ebay from reputable sellers there. Again keep in mind even they can let a fake slip through but generally that will be with higher-end coins. I also find this happens a lot with the Greek ones. In my area of Roman Imperials of lower value you don't see as many fakes and when you do you can usually spot them a mile away. Well I suppose I studied fakes of Roman Imperials so I feel comfortable with them but personally I find them easier to spot than the likes of Greek fakes. You need to study the fakes of whatever area you're into.

I'll PM you about the other thing...

Judgement Day

I've had many unusual items through my hands over the years but now in my dotage I collect more run-of-the-mill items so this thread left me scratching my head - then I thought of my crockery collection. Pride of place in terms of being unusual must surely go to my Bord na Mona part dinner service! Made by Arklow Pottery (1934-99) but I'm not sure how old these are. As far as I know these weren't given away with briquettes and must have originated from HQ or one of the regional operations like Blackwater? Anyway, they came to me via the Society of Friends (Quakers) Meeting House in Enniscorthy where they were still in regular use in 2005. I have a number of mint pieces but rarely use them these days to spare them any wear and tear. Not particularly beautiful but quirky.