Today, the most common objects for collecting are coins and award badges (medals and others). This hobby still unites people into quite large clubs of interest. The most ardent collectors, they say, are ready to sell an apartment to buy a very rare coin or historical award badge. Interest is also returning to such areas as orders and medals of the USSR – usually, the more time has passed since the minting of a coin or awarding a certain order, and the fewer identical copies exist in the world, the more valuable these artifacts are considered.
Also, in clubs and forums, active discussions are held on controversial issues, the history of coin minting is discussed, and the history of monetary circulation in different countries is raised in various archives.
It is worth remembering: a coin is not just a metal bar. It is distinguished by its shape (it can be not only round), weight, denomination, and the circulation area where it was legal tender.
Orders and Medals
Besides coins, orders and medals are of great interest today. And if the last major hoards consisting of ancient coins on the territory of the USSR were found in the 80s, such a value as the Medal for the Capture of Budapest can be found by anyone today – by inheritance, or discovered when moving into an old house or apartment.
By the way, events dedicated to this theme are still being held. In 2014, this primarily includes the XXXIII FIDEM Congress – the International Federation of Medallic Art. In September, in Bulgarian Sofia, not only collectors but primarily researchers as well as artists from literally all over the world will gather. A rich exhibition of valuable awards is also promised – at the congress, visitors are planned to be introduced to almost 1000 various medals.
Interesting Hobby or Something More?
Surprisingly, besides being an interesting hobby, collecting coins or orders and medals can turn into a quite profitable activity. Experts in this field are highly valued, and every investment in an award or coin will pay off over time. That means future generations will receive not only an original collection but also tangible investments in the form of ancient coins or awards – they only increase in value over time.
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