Guides
Guides and collector articles
Practical guidance for working out what an object is, how to document a collection, how to research market context responsibly and how to care for each material type.
Each identification guide works from what is physically on the object — inscriptions, marks, materials and construction — towards a documented catalogue entry, in the order that narrows the field fastest. Each step lists what to record and the mistakes to avoid.
No guide can tell you what an object is worth. If a detail cannot be confirmed from the object or a documented source, write it down as unknown rather than guessing.
Identification guides
How to identify a token, pass or check
Love tokens, businesses, admission marks, inscriptions and source-supported purpose.
How to identify a coin
Legend, portrait, denomination, date, mint mark, metal and edge — read in the order that actually narrows the field.
How to identify a banknote
Issuing authority, series, denomination, signatures, serial block and security features.
How to identify a stamp
Country, issue, watermark, perforation, printing method, plate and paper.
How to identify a watch
Case marks, dial, movement, escapement, serial numbers and later alterations.
How to identify a medal or jeton
Object type, inscriptions, occasion, medallist, metal and restrikes.
How to identify a clock or sundial
Form, case, dial, movement, power source and later conversions.
How to identify a camera or fountain pen
Maker and model markings, mechanism, lens or nib, serials and replaced parts.
Documentation, references and preventive care
Documentation
Photographing and documenting collectibles
Build a reliable object record: safe handling, clear photographs, literal observations, source citations and an image-rights trail.
Research
Reading inscriptions and catalogue references
A source-first method for literal transcription, uncertain readings, historical issuers, original dates and conflicting catalogue numbers.
Care
Paper collectibles: storage, handling and condition
Conservative care for banknotes, stamps, postcards and other paper objects: enclosures, light, support, condition records and when to stop.
Research
Provenance and source research for collectibles
Trace an object's documented history, assess independent evidence, distinguish specimens from types and preserve uncertainty in a research dossier.
Care
Metal and mixed-material collectibles: preventive care
Plan safe handling, supportive storage and condition records for coins, medals, watches and cameras without polishing, dismantling or home restoration.
Research
Historical issuers, calendars and dates on collectibles
Record issuing authorities under their historical names, read regnal, Hijri and era dates in their original form, and keep normalized equivalents and date ranges honest.
Research
Mint marks, printers and production marks
Read the small marks that record where and by whom an object was produced: mint marks and mint cities on coins, printer imprints on notes and stamps, and maker or assay marks on metalwork.
Research
Coins: legends, edges and reference disagreements
A source-first collector guide to legends, edges and reference disagreements, with photographed examples, comparison checklists and live catalogue holdings.
Research
Banknotes: issues, signatures and security features
A source-first collector guide to issues, signatures and security features, with photographed examples, comparison checklists and live catalogue holdings.
Research
Watches: model, calibre and service documentation
A source-first collector guide to model, calibre and service documentation, with photographed examples, comparison checklists and live catalogue holdings.
Build a comparison before naming a type
- Photographic record
- Record and compareKeep separate photographs of each face and any safely visible edge, mark or control, together with an overall view.
- Limits of the evidenceA photograph cannot establish hidden mechanisms, material composition or authenticity. Do not dismantle an object to obtain a view.
- Literal transcription
- Record and compareCopy inscriptions, punctuation, line breaks and mark positions. Separate what is legible from a proposed reading.
- Limits of the evidenceA partly visible name or number is not evidence for the missing characters. Record uncertain readings explicitly.
- Physical observations
- Record and compareRecord dimensions, material observations and construction without cleaning, flattening or operating the object.
- Limits of the evidenceScreen images have no dependable physical scale; appearance alone cannot establish an alloy, watermark or working condition.
- Source comparison
- Record and compareCompare the object with a named catalogue edition or museum specimen and note both agreements and differences.
- Limits of the evidenceA similar image is only a lead. A museum accession identifies that specimen, not automatically its wider catalogue type.
Collecting, value research and care articles
Coins
Collecting, researching value and caring for coins
A practical coin collecting guide covering scope, attribution, value research, storage and conservation-safe handling without publishing valuations.
Banknotes
Collecting, researching value and caring for banknotes
A banknote collecting guide covering issuer, series, signature, serial evidence, value research, archival storage and handling.
Stamps
Collecting, researching value and caring for stamps
A philatelic guide to collecting stamps by issue, watermark, perforation and use, with value-research checks and safe handling advice.
Pocket watches and watches
Collecting, researching value and caring for pocket watches
A horology guide covering pocket-watch collecting scope, maker and movement evidence, value research, servicing, storage and handling.
Cameras, fountain pens and other objects
Collecting, researching value and caring for cameras, pens and further collectibles
A practical guide for documented collecting fields beyond coins, banknotes, stamps and watches, including cameras and fountain pens.
Medals and jetons
Collecting, researching value and caring for medals and jetons
A practical guide to collecting commemorative medals, award medals and jetons: scope, attribution, restrikes, value research and conservation-safe storage.
Clocks and sundials
Collecting, researching value and caring for antique clocks
A practical guide to collecting antique clocks and sundials: scope, originality, conversions, value research, safe moving and care of movements and cases.
Wristwatches
Collecting, researching and caring for wristwatches
A wristwatch collecting guide covering scope, reference and serial evidence, originality of dial, hands and case, value research without price lists, servicing, storage and safe handling.
Decorative objects
Collecting and caring for snuff boxes, spoons, fans, netsuke and sword fittings
A guide to collecting small decorative objects, from snuff boxes and silver spoons to fans, netsuke, inro and tsuba: scope, marks and materials, legal limits on restricted materials, value research and conservation-safe care.
