Interviewing... 'vzcoin'
Interview #7, talking to a young numismatist in high school with a love for coins and the history behind them (@vzcoin on instagram)…
Where did you buy your first coin?
The first coin I bought was a 3-cent nickel, which I purchased online through usacoinbook. I chose the 3-cent nickel because it seemed like a very unusual denomination. My interest in numismatics was originally sparked, however, when I received a collection of coins from West Germany from my grandparents.
What sort of coins do you collect?
I mainly collect early modern coinage from the 16th to mid-18th centuries because it offers the best variety of designs, ranging from simpler medieval issues to more complex and artistic coins produced later. My primary focuses are German death commemoratives and coinage featuring peacocks, but I enjoy exploring all areas of numismatics.
What’s the last coin you bought?
The latest coin I bought is a fascinating piece from Pepper Alley in Southwark (London) minted by a merchant named Arthur Adams in 1652. This piece has a facing peacock on the obverse and is extremely rare with not many being minted, so it was a perfect fit for my peacock-themed collection.
What advice would you give to someone keen to start collecting?
Always do thorough research before buying. This may seem obvious, but many people don’t do it as rigorously as they should. Understanding the history, rarity, and condition of a coin can prevent costly errors.
Have you ever made a mistake collecting (if so, what)?
I have made many mistakes during my collecting journey but none of them were too horrible since I’m a budget collector. I’d say my worst is when I overpaid on a roll of 2022 2-dollar honey bee coins from Australia by $100. I think what hurt the most about it was checking eBay auctions the next day and seeing a bankroll of the same coins ending for way cheaper.
What’s your dream coin (ie if you could have any, what would it be)?
Eventually, I want to get a multiple thaler death commemorative. Pairing big coins (multiple thalers can be hundreds of grams with diameters above 50mm) with death commemoratives can result in some pretty crazy designs, like this 6-thaler minted for John Fredericks's death in 1679.
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