If you read any of this blog, then you know that the necromancer approach to collecting is not about conjuring angry or evil spirits. Rather, it is about recognizing the magic in coins that come by their history honestly: they were spent, saved, spent again, maybe lost for awhile, and after all of this, you have it in your hand. Coins like this spark a childlike wonderment that many of us have lost.
Relic coins -- those that show the ravages of time -- are like the rusted bits that archeologists dig out of the dirt. They come directly to us ... from the hand of the poor bloke who lost the coin on a dark and rainy night. Yes, they have a story to tell.Relics give us all the history and none of the anxiety. Many worry too much about condition grading, value, or showmanship. Relics, on the other hand, are honest bits of history, signposts of action that occurred long ago. For the most part, a shiny coin from a mint bag just cannot compare.
The introduction to this collecting philosophy is included in my book: Lost Cents, Dead Owners. I know you will like it. It is heartfelt. It represents an aspect of collecting that is free and steeped in the history of everyday life. It is the book that I wanted to read but could not find. And now that I have written it, I still enjoy reading it and musing about how a crusty old coin, caked with corrosion, can be so fascinating.
The book is offered by Wasteland Press for $24.95. This is not expensive for a coin book. It is a book for readers, not for looking up values, discerning grades, and other boring stuff.
To order it go to books123.org -- If the book come up on the main page, just click on it. If it does not come up on the main page, check under "best sellers" and you will find it.
Go ahead and try something different this holiday season. Tell others about it. I priced it to break even, so that we all can enjoy it. All the pictures are in color and are mesmerizing.
And then, I urge you to go out an find the coin that you imagined finding in the dirt when you were a kid. No slab, no value, no worry. Just a cool piece that is fun to own, fun to pass around to friends, and fun to keep on your bed stand as a "wonder" coin. I dare you!
