Why do people love to collect fountain pens? First, as more and more people have whtie collar jobs getting to write with a fine writing instrument makes writing at work special. The feeling that people get when you write with a fine fountain pen changes the writing experience. Writing with a fountain pen makes people feel like an artist.
For me, I love collecting fountain pens for their aesthetic beauty. The craftsmanship of a handmade fountain pen, the beautiful cases and beautiful tips are masterpieces to me. I started collecting Montblanc fountain pens.
My father had a collection and when he died I was lucky enough to get his Montblanc fountain pen collection. This is how I began collecting fountain pens. Since then, I have collected Pelikan fountain pens, Dunhill fountain pens, Waterman fountain pens, and Conklin fountain pens.
Once you start writing with a fountain pen, it is tough to go back to the old Bic pen. Now, I still use a plain old ballpoint pen most of the time, but when I want something different, I reach for my fountain pens. Here are some tips for you to begin collecting fountain pens.
Beginners Tips for Fountain Pen Collecting
The first thing that beginner pen collectors have to understand is that scarcity creates value. When people begin collecting ballpoint pens or fountain pens, too often they just look at the aesthetics of the pen. While aesthetics are important, scarcity drives value. However, don't forget that fountain pens need to write well too.
The second thing to understand about fountain pen collecting is that typical older, vintage fountain pens are worth more than newer pens. People love holding a part of history. Vintage fountain pens can tell an unbelievable history lesson. What was going on in the world when that pen was being used? Who wrote with that fountain pen?
The third think that you need to understand is the most stores do not sell vintage pens. In order to buy vintage pens you need to buy from collectors, online stores, or online auctions. However, if you are buying a new fountain pen, just look for good prices.
Alloy a combination of two or more metals in a coin such as cupro-nickel or cupro-zinc.
Ancient refers to any coin minted before 500 A.D.
Bag marks nicks, marks and scratches resulting from coins in a mint bag being in contact with each other.
Bi-metallic coin a coin with the center made from one metal with its outer portion being comprised of a different metal.
Blank a round piece of metal made for subsequent minting into coinage.
Bullion a coin made of gold or other precious metal with little numismatic value apart from the current value of the metal from which the coin is made.
Cameo a coin with a frosted appearance.
Circulated coin a coin which has actually been used as money and shows some degree of wear.
Commemorative coin A coin with a design struck in honor of some historical or current event, famous person or special anniversary.
Error coin a coin minted by mistake or with a design different than intended.
Grade the condition of a coin determined by a set methodology.
High points the highest part of a coin's design where the first signs of wear and tear generally appear.
Legend the words that are inscribed around the outer edge of a coin, for U.S. coins, the legend inscription is E Pluribus Unum
Mintage the total number of coins of a particular denomination, date and/or type produced by a mint
Mint mark a symbol identifying the particular mint which produced the coin
Mint state an un-circulated coin in the same condition as when it was originally minted showing no signs of wear
Numismatics the study of coins, paper currency, tokens, medals, and other similar items
Obverse the "heads" side of the coin where a portrait of a president, king, queen or other national leader appears
Proof coins coins that are struck with greater pressure than normal using specially polished dies to make the design more highly polished or mirror-like
Reverse the back or "tails" side of a coin, the opposite side to the obverse side of a coin
Rim the outer edge of a coin.
Un-circulated coin a coin that has never actually been used as money and has no visible signs of wear
Variety any change in the design of a coin results in a new coin variety
There are many, many more terms which we will try to define as they come up in this book, but this is a good start for the beginning collector. So, you may be wondering. where do I start? The choices are varied.
Both Fred Peters & Lee Williams are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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