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Gothic Goodness – Medieval Woodcut Prints

Here is a medieval woodcut print depicting a scene from the bible where Jesus is teaching his followers. This incunable print comes from a 1488 Flemish work titled “Dat Boeck Vanden Leven Ons Liefs Heeren Jhesu Christi” which roughly translates from the Middle Dutch as “The Book of the Life of Our Good Lord, Jesus Christ”. The biblical theme, rubrication and striking monochromatic art style are absolutely typical of medieval woodcut prints from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It cost less than $100 on eBay.

As the old saying goes, “time waits for no man”. Naïve youth doesn’t fully understand the full weight of these words. But those of us who have lived on this earth for at least a few decades comprehend their true meaning all too well.

Although time might march relentlessly onward – leaving the debris of both people and history in its path – some things stand tall against its implacable ravages. Medieval woodcut prints are among these hallowed things. These masterpieces of the paper-crafter’s art often look as beautiful and captivating today as they did when they were first printed some 500 years ago.

Early woodcut prints reflect the soul of late medieval European thought. They portray the most important topics of the period, including biblical scenes, episodes from Classical mythology, exotic animals, botanical renderings, famous cityscapes and maps. Depictions of the noblest chivalry, grandest kings’ courts and idyllic rural scenes grace these gorgeous works of gothic art. They are medieval culture personified and ready to hang on your wall.

The origins of medieval woodcut prints date to mid 15th century Continental Europe. During that time in the walled German metropolis of Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg commercialized one of the world’s greatest inventions – the movable type printing press. The greatest consequence of Gutenberg’s invention was an explosion in the production of books in late medieval Europe.

Until the mid 15th century, all books produced in Europe were illuminated manuscripts. These works of art were painstakingly handcrafted by highly trained scribes on parchment (processed animal skin). This method was so slow and arduous that a single book could take years to produce and would sell for a small fortune. Libraries were the lofty domain of royalty, nobility and monasteries.

But within just a few decades of Gutenberg’s invention, newly printed books flooded Europe, radically driving down their prices while simultaneously increasing their accessibility.

The most visually striking feature of late medieval books are their woodcut print illustrations. Before the invention of the printing press, a book could only be illustrated through hand illumination, a very tedious and time consuming process. But alongside the advent of movable type printing, another allied technology – the woodcut print – was also developed.

Affordable Medieval Woodcut Prints for Sale on eBay

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In this process a slab of wood was carved with an illustration or design by a highly trained artist. The resulting woodcut was then mounted on the printing press, either with or without movable type, depending on the page arrangement. Multiple copies could then be created with much greater ease and efficiency than hand illumination.

Medieval woodcut prints were so popular that they were sometimes printed as standalone art pieces too, known as single-leaf woodcuts. Woodcut prints found in late medieval books were often as large as possible, occupying either a full page or half page. However, it isn’t uncommon to find smaller woodcut print illustrations or margin designs peppered throughout early books.

Woodcut carving was an incredibly demanding skill that required years of apprenticeship to a master. In fact, many of the greatest artists of the late medieval period experimented with woodcut prints in addition to other art mediums.

A perfect example of this is the renowned Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer. Active from the mid 1480s until near his death in 1528, Durer was an artistic genius – a true renaissance man. He had trained as a goldsmith during his youth and later became not only a master painter and engraver, but also perhaps the finest woodcut carver of all time. His works have a level of detail and refinement that was unrivaled in his time. Consequently, Durer’s prints usually command a premium compared to other contemporary woodcut artists; his paintings are only found in museums.

Albrecht Durer Medieval Woodcut Prints for Sale on eBay

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Late medieval printed books created before the year 1500 are known as incunables or incunabula. This name derives from the Latin term for “cradle”, referring to the inception of the printing industry. Post-incunables are books printed after the year 1500 but before circa 1540.

The dates used to divide incunable and post-incunable works are necessarily arbitrary in nature; the year 1500 did not see any significant advances in print technology. Similarly, the end date applied to post-incunables is open to discussion, with some authorities preferring an earlier date of 1520 or a later date of 1550.

Another interesting aspect of medieval woodcut prints is the paper they were printed on. The paper used in late medieval printing is completely different from modern paper and superior to it in every way. Present-day paper is made from crushed wood pulp that is then chemically bleached. This results in paper that is not only relatively fragile but also acidic in nature. As a result, modern paper tends to yellow and turn brittle after only a couple decades.

In sharp contrast, the paper found in 15th and 16th century printed books, called laid paper, was made from pulverized cotton or linen rags. Due to the longer fibers of cotton and linen, laid paper possesses far greater strength than modern wood pulp papers. It is also naturally acid free. This means that laid paper often survives vast spans of time – even centuries – in good condition.

Incunable Medieval Woodcut Prints for Sale on eBay

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Laid paper was manufactured by mixing shredded cotton or linen rags together in a vat with water. This pulpy mixture was then poured into a mold with a wire mesh bottom. The water drained through this wire sieve, leaving a single sheet of high quality, very durable paper once dry.

The wire mesh used in the fabrication process leaves a characteristic patterning effect on laid paper. This crisscrossing pattern consists of narrowly spaced laid lines and more widely spaced chain lines oriented at a 90 degree angle to the laid lines.

Laid paper can best be identified by backlighting the sheet and looking for the network of crosshatched lines.

Although less difficult to produce than animal parchment, laid paper manufacturing was still relatively labor-intensive and time-consuming. Consequently, laid paper production was almost completely supplanted by new paper manufacturing techniques during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century.

Post-Incunable Medieval Woodcut Prints for Sale on eBay

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As a general rule, incunable medieval woodcut prints from before 1500 are somewhat more expensive than later, post-incunable examples. While the end date of the post-incunable period is still open to scholarly debate, it would be wise to only purchase prints produced before circa 1550, unless they are from known artists.

Size also influences pricing, with larger prints naturally being more desirable than smaller prints. Rubrication, or the coloring of the initial, capital letter of a page with red, is another attractive feature of some incunable and post-incunable medieval woodcut prints. Subject matter also significantly impacts price, with well-known biblical scenes fetching strong premiums. Botanical prints and patterns typically trade at substantial discounts and should be avoided if investment return is a primary consideration.

Condition, as always, is a key factor of paramount importance. Torn, excessively water stained or extensively holed prints should be avoided. Likewise, pieces that have had their margins heavily trimmed or have had the print illustration cut out from the text on the page are not investable.

Woodcut prints from known masters bring the best prices, with works by Albrecht Durer standing at the top of this elite group. Beware of later copies of famous prints which are substantially less valuable.

Medieval Woodcut Prints from Known Artists for Sale on eBay

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Late medieval, single-leaf woodcut prints are not only impressive artworks but also tremendously underrated in today’s market. These works exude a wonderfully medieval, gothic sensibility that would magnificently complement a private library, study or master bedroom. Pricing starts at around $50 to $75 for more common examples, but quickly escalates into the hundreds for prints by famous makers.

Highly desirable pieces by Albrecht Durer in pristine condition can venture into the thousands. Fully intact incunable and post incunable books are very rare and easily command thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Time may never stand still, but you would never know it when gazing at these spectacular medieval works of art.

Read more in-depth Antique Sage medieval art investment guides here.

Duty, Honor, Country – Vintage U.S. Military Insignia

This collection of vintage U.S. military insignia is typical of the high quality items still available to militaria enthusiasts today. The sterling silver pilot’s wings are World War II vintage, while the 10 karat gold-filled Second Lieutenant officer’s bars are from the Vietnam era. Notice the pleasing, undisturbed patina on the pilot’s wings, which helps confirm that they are genuine vintage insignia and not modern reproductions.

Duty, honor, country. These are the three timeless words that began five star general Douglas MacArthur’s farewell speech to the graduating West Point class of 1962. But they are more than just words. They are core concepts that have governed the motivation and behavior of generations of U.S. fighting forces. These noble ideas are exquisitely encapsulated in vintage U.S. military insignia – personal items that are rich with both martial history and tradition.

Military insignia are cloth patches or metal pins used to denote rank, affiliation or technical qualification. They are distinct from medals, like the Purple Heart or Bronze Star, which are awarded based on merit. This article will exclusively discuss vintage U.S. military insignia that are made from metal, with the term vintage in this case referring to the 1970s or earlier. These highly desirable pieces of Americana have witnessed the most pivotal moments in 20th century military history, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the depths of the Cold War.

Vintage U.S. military insignia were generally worn on a soldier’s lapel, collar or hat and were an integral part of the military uniform. They were especially prominent on the dress uniform, where the rich warmth of gold and the subtle glint of silver endowed an immaculate, polished appearance. However these impeccable devices not only complemented a soldier’s image, but also helped instill a deep sense of esprit de corps and sacred obligation.

For most of its existence, the United States did not maintain a large standing army. Instead the country only fielded a small peacetime force that radically expanded during wartime. For instance, the U.S. Army was only 98,000 strong in 1914, but quickly ballooned to around 4,000,000 troops just a few years later due to World War I.

It was only during World War II that the U.S. Armed Forces became a permanently large standing force. This was driven initially by the exigent need to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. After World War II, the rise of communism forced the U.S. military to maintain its wartime footing in order to act as a global counterweight to aggressive Soviet expansion.

The United States Armed Forces has five branches – the Army, Air Force, Marine Corp, Navy and the often overlooked Coast Guard. The U.S. Air force is the newest of the armed services, having only come into being in 1947. Before this time, the Air Force did not officially exist. Instead, the responsibility for military aviation was divided among the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Coast Guard. However, the United States Army Air Forces, or USAAF, was the most prominent of these pre-1947 air units.

Although they are rapidly becoming hot items in the militaria market, most vintage U.S. military insignia weren’t originally that rare. Millions of men and women served in the U.S. forces over the course of the 20th century and nearly all of them wore insignia of some description. However, the original ubiquity of vintage U.S. military insignia belies their true scarcity today.

It is estimated that only 558,000 of the 16.1 million Americans who served during World War II are still alive in 2017. As the veterans of this world-altering conflict have inevitably passed on, many of their military insignia have been accidentally lost or discarded. Sometimes the children or grandchildren of these veterans, not recognizing the historical value of these remarkable pins, simply threw them in the trash. And now that veterans from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts are also reaching advanced ages, vintage U.S. military insignia from the 1950s and 1960s are destined to soon become rarer as well.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Air Force Insignia for Sale on eBay

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A wide range of materials have been used in vintage U.S. military insignia. The most common is probably brass or bronze that has been gilt or silver-plated, as appropriate. Brass has the advantage of being inexpensive and reasonably durable for field service. Less sturdy materials such as plastic or die cast zinc alloys have also occasionally been used during wartime when copper was in short supply.

Silver-filled and gold-filled metals are fairly common. Sterling silver was also readily employed, although its prevalence declined precipitously in the late 1960s due to the rising global price of silver. Very rarely, high-end pins were made from solid karat gold.

Perhaps the most commonly encountered vintage U.S. military insignia is the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, which was given to veterans who had been honorably discharged. It features a perched eagle within a ring about to take flight – usually rendered in gilt metal. This pin is colloquially known as the “Ruptured Duck”, ostensibly because the awkward eagle looks more like a misshapen duck than a majestic bird of prey.

The Honorable Service Lapel Pin’s original incarnation was in 1919 as a cloth patch. It allowed a veteran to continue wearing his military uniform after being discharged – something that was normally strictly forbidden by military regulations. This was particularly important in the immediate aftermath of World War II, when wartime shortages made civilian clothing difficult to procure. Most Honorable Service Lapel Pins were made from gilt brass, but plastic, die cast, sterling silver and karat gold examples all exist.

Vintage Sterling Silver Ruptured Duck Insignia for Sale on eBay

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One of the most highly coveted of all vintage U.S. military insignia is the U.S. Army parachutist’s badge, also commonly known as “jump wings”. This pin features a central parachute flanked by two feathered wings – all rendered in oxidized silver. The design was first created in 1941 as a way to recognize freshly trained U.S. Army paratroopers who had just qualified for this newly invented and highly demanding discipline.

The very first order of 350 jump wings was crafted by the Philadelphia luxury jeweler Bailey, Banks & Biddle. But over the years, many different private firms have manufactured these unique pins under official government contract. These pins are usually silver-filled or sterling silver.

There are several variations of the U.S. Army parachutist’s badge. In 1950, the Senior and Master parachutist’s insignia were authorized. Both of these pins are identical to the basic U.S. Army parachutist’s badge, except the former has a star on top of the central parachute and the latter has the same star within a wreath.

An unofficial modification that was frequently made to jump wings by many soldiers and vets was the addition of small bronze stars to represent the number of combat jumps conducted. The maximum number of these “combat jump stars” is always five. While not originally sanctioned by the U.S. military, this common practice was eventually made official in 1983. Vintage jump wings with bronze stars are highly desirable in the collecting community, so buyers should beware of fabricated examples.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Army Paratrooper Insignia for Sale on eBay

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The U.S. Marine Corp’s Eagle, Globe and Anchor is also a ubiquitous symbol among vintage U.S. military insignia. While the eagle and fouled (tangled) anchor were used to represent the U.S. Marine Corp since the early 19th century, the current Eagle, Globe and Anchor design was only adopted in 1868. The Eagle, Globe and Anchor, also known among collectors and Marines as the EGA, consists of a globe showing the western hemisphere with a fouled anchor behind and an American bald eagle surmounting both.

While there was a lot of variation in EGAs through the late 1950s, by the early 1960s they had been standardized. Since that time, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor for enlisted men has been all gold in color while officers’ EGAs have been all silver except for the anchor and continents on the globe, which are gilt. Because the number of active Marine Corps members has always been small compared to the other U.S. Armed Forces, their pre-World War II insignia are relatively uncommon. A detailed, albeit dry, history of the Marine Corp EGA can be found here.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Marine Corp Insignia for Sale on eBay

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Another attractive vintage U.S. military insignia that is quite popular with collectors and history buffs is the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Warfare pin. It shows a central, oncoming submarine flanked on either side by two sea monster-like dolphins. The Submarine Warfare insignia for officers are gilt while enlisted men’s pins are all silver in color. Because submarines are a relatively new technology, the U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare pin was only first designed and issued in 1924. Vintage examples of this desirable pin can be found in silver-plated (or gold-plated) bronze, silver-filled (or gold-filled) and sterling silver (or gold-filled over sterling silver).

It is also quite common to come across officer’s pins while searching for vintage U.S. military insignia. Although relatively simple in design, these important emblems of rank helped identify officers at a glance. Below is a list of military officer ranks and their associated insignia. I’ve included the equivalent U.S. Naval and Coast Guard ranks in parenthesis. All U.S. military branches – the Army, Air Force, Marine Corp, Navy and Coast Guard – share the same officer’s insignia:

Second Lieutenant (Ensign) – One vertical gilt bar
First Lieutenant (Lieutenant Junior Grade) – One vertical silver bar
Captain (Lieutenant) – Two vertical silver bars
Major (Lieutenant Commander) – A gilt leaf
Lieutenant Colonel (Commander) – A silver leaf
Colonel (Captain) – A silver eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch
Brigadier General (Rear Admiral – lower half) – One silver star
Major General (Rear Admiral – upper half) – Two silver stars
Lieutenant General (Vice Admiral) – Three silver stars
General (Admiral) – Four silver stars
General of the Army (Fleet Admiral) – Five silver stars in a circle

It is important to note that the very highest rank of General of the Army or Fleet Admiral has not been conferred on any member of the U.S. Armed Forces since World War II. As you can imagine, general’s stars are rather rare and highly coveted in the collecting community. Fakes abound and great caution is urged when looking to purchase these items. The novice (and perhaps even intermediate-level) vintage U.S. military insignia aficionado would do well to stick to the rank of colonel or lower.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Navy Insignia for Sale on eBay

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A huge number of private companies have received official U.S. military contracts for pins over the decades. In addition, there have been a fair number of “unofficial” suppliers as well, especially for pre-World War II officer’s pins. As a result, it is not possible to list all of the different makers that one might encounter on vintage U.S. military insignia.

However, there are a handful of companies that manufactured a disproportionately large share of vintage pins. These include Balfour (often abbreviated LGB), Luxenberg, Amico (American Insignia Co.), Gemsco, H&H (Hilborn & Hamburg) and N.S. Meyer Inc. The aspiring vintage U.S. military insignia collector should take note that these makers are the most frequently faked too. I’ve found this militaria site to be a useful reference for legitimate hallmarks.

For the serious connoisseur, the ability to accurately date vintage U.S. military insignia is a requirement. One of the best ways to do this is via the attachment mechanism on the back of the pin. The two earliest types of fasteners are the screw back and the pin back. The screw back fastener employs a threaded post soldered onto the back of the pin which is secured via a (usually) brass retaining nut. This type of fastener first appeared in the 1890s and persisted until the World War II era. Likewise the pin back fastener, also known as the jeweler’s pin or safety pin fastener, was also used from the late 19th century straight through to World War II.

During the 1920s a new type of fastener, called the Phinney clutch (after its inventor), pull clutch, or piston clutch came into widespread use. This fastener used a small, smooth post secured by a mechanical brass clutch. The Phinney clutch was superior because its modestly-sized, smooth post did not make a large hole in uniforms, unlike the older screw back version. It was easier to use than the fussy pin back fastener as well.

However, in 1942 the B.A. Ballou Company of Rhode Island made a breakthrough in clutch technology. They developed the eponymous Ballou clutch, a fastener made entirely out of thin sheets of stamped brass. It was used on smooth posts, much like a Phinney clutch, except the user squeezed two tabs on either side of the clutch between his thumb and forefinger. The U.S. military loved the Ballou clutch because it was easy to use, cheap to manufacture and used very little brass during a period of intense wartime demand. The Ballou clutch rapidly displaced all other fastener types, which are only infrequently encountered after World War II. The patent on the Ballou clutch expired sometime during the 1950s or 1960s, allowing other firms to manufacture clones after that time.

It should be noted that the clutches of some vintage military insignia have, either accidentally or intentionally, been swapped out over time, making this a fallible dating method. However, screw back and pin back fasteners are very difficult to alter without leaving tell-tale evidence. Despite its drawbacks, the fastener type is still a key method for dating vintage U.S. military insignia.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Coast Guard Insignia for Sale on eBay

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Another way to date more recent vintage U.S. military insignia is via date codes. These were alpha-numeric codes assigned to pin manufacturers that had received official military contracts. Sometime between 1953 and 1960, insignia contractors began using a code consisting of a single letter followed by a single number. For example, B-1 stood for Balfour. Around 1965, the code was changed to a single letter followed by double digits. For instance, M-22 represented N.S. Meyer. This code system is still in use today.

The U.S. Navy also adopted its own unique code system of a single letter, double digits and the letter “N”. The navy has used this code from 1974 until the present. It should be noted that these alpha-numeric codes only applied to official military suppliers; unofficial pin suppliers did not use them.

Quality counts when looking to invest in vintage U.S. military insignia. You want a damage-free pin with lots of crisp detail and little or no wear. Does the eagle on your World War II era Ruptured Duck pin look like he just lost a drunken bar fight? Then walk away and search for another, better example.

I personally believe that vintage U.S. military insignia made from precious metals are substantially more desirable than those that aren’t, all else being equal. However, most insignia collectors out there right now don’t agree with this assessment. They largely collect based on era, military branch or type. But I think that the use of precious metals grants an additional dimension of investability to vintage insignia that does not exist otherwise.

Therefore, I recommend buying solid sterling silver or (admittedly rare) karat gold examples. Prices for sterling silver vintage U.S. military insignia are hardly any higher right now than similar pieces in brass or silver-filled/gold-filled, but should have greater future return potential. While I don’t normally like gold-filled antiques or jewelry for investment purposes, I think that sterling silver vintage military pins with gold-filled trim are entirely acceptable.

In fact, a lot of vintage U.S. military insignia are gold filled over sterling silver, which is far superior to normal gold electroplating. This is sometimes abbreviated as GoS, or gold-on-silver. Keep in mind that you will have a very hard time finding affordable sterling silver or solid karat gold specimens from before World War II due to their rarity and desirability. For these earlier eras, any material is acceptable.

Vintage Sterling Silver U.S. Army Insignia for Sale on eBay

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It is vital to favor pins that have an even, undisturbed patina. This will help you avoid specimens that have been harshly cleaned as well as modern reproductions that are sometimes sold as vintage pieces. It also isn’t uncommon to find new-old-stock, or NOS, insignia from several decades ago in their original retail boxes. These will nearly always have some patina if they are truly as old as they claim.

Some collectors of vintage U.S. military insignia avoid NOS pins because they want items that were used in active service. I, however, am indifferent to this preference and believe the final choice is up to the individual collector.

The biggest challenge for the vintage U.S. military insignia aficionado is to avoid fakes, reproductions and fantasy pieces. This has become more of a problem over the past 10 to 15 years as the militaria collecting niche has absolutely exploded in popularity. This trend has been partly driven by the passing of the World War II generation and the melancholy realization that the remaining survivors will not be with us for much longer.

Unfortunately, persistently rising militaria prices have induced some unscrupulous profiteers to fabricate, modify or otherwise fake vintage insignia. Knowledge is the collector’s best defense against being defrauded. As already noted, don’t purchase a vintage pin that does not have a good, natural patina intact. Also, make sure that all parts of a pin are period appropriate, including the fastener. Familiarize yourself with the common manufacturers of the era you are interested in and their hallmarks. Lastly, buy only from reputable sources; this will help save you money and heartache in the long run.

Pricing for vintage U.S. military insignia can vary considerably depending on the pin’s age, condition, material and type. Higher-end materials, like sterling silver, command a surprisingly modest premium over more pedestrian metals like brass. Earlier military insignia, especially pieces from before World War II are especially desirable and expensive.

However, the collector’s market for these martial relics is still in its infancy, resulting in an inefficient market with wildly differing prices for similar pieces. Pricing can range from an unbelievably low $10 to $20 for a relatively common World War II era sterling silver Ruptured Duck pin to a few hundred for a desirable pair of early Army Air Corps wings. Only a few of the very rarest specimens exceed $500 in value, giving savvy collectors of modest means a unique opportunity to “buy the best of the best“.

It is shocking how undervalued high quality vintage U.S. military insignia are right now. This is one of those few categories of antiques where less than $100 is enough to start a meaningful collection. With a variety of attractive specimens available for around $50, duty, honor and country has never been a better investment.

Read more in-depth Antique Sage militaria investment guides here.

Silver Trade Dollars of East Asia – Visions of Imperialism Past

Here is a spread of early 20th century silver piastre trade coins from the colony of French Indo-China. Prices for these silver trade dollars, and others like them, have steadily risen over the past 10 years – particularly for problem free specimens in good condition.

In 1865 U.S. journalist Horace Greeley popularized the rallying cry “Go west, young man”. The phrase was originally meant to encourage the enterprising and ambitious to strike out for fortune in the rugged expanses of the Western United States. And yet, if you travel far enough west, you inevitably find yourself in the exotic and mysterious Far East.

In the 19th century, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia were not only sources of curious philosophies and bizarre plants and animals, but also luxury goods of all descriptions. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the unfamiliar, yet beguiling, cultures of the Far East fascinated the West. Antique silver trade dollars – large coins minted to promote commerce in the region – perfectly exemplified this Western obsession with all things East Asian.

During the mid 19th century European trade with the Far East grew dramatically. Europe imported massive quantities of Chinese silk, porcelain and tea, along with many other East Asian luxury goods. However, the merchants of the Far East – and China in particular – would only accept silver bullion in exchange for their wares.

As the 19th century progressed and the European powers established colonial territories in East Asia, the need for standardized silver trade coins to facilitate commerce became acute. As a result, the greatest empires and nations of the age – France, Great Britain, Japan and the U.S. – all minted impressively heavy silver trade dollars for exclusive use in the distant Far East trade.

Although I use the phrase “silver trade dollars” as a catchall term in this guide, calling these coins silver trade crowns would be more technically accurate. A “crown” in coin collecting traditionally referred to an old British 5 shilling silver coin. However, the term has also been adopted by the collecting community to refer to any silver coin that is similarly large in size.

Foreign silver crowns are avidly sought by coin collectors due to their imposing dimensions and captivating designs. Silver trade dollars of the Far East are no exception to this rule. With diameters generally varying between 38 and 39 millimeters (1.5 to 1.54 inches), they are similar in size to the venerable U.S. silver dollar.

In addition, these East Asian trade coins were struck from high purity, 900 fine (90%) silver. They were among the largest, most splendid coins ever intended for general circulation. Nothing impresses a potential trade partner like a massive hunk of almost pure silver.

Tragically, these historic silver trade dollars were usually treated as common bullion. Although originally minted by the tens of millions, over the decades vast quantities have been damaged, excessively worn or melted down. Consequently, these artistically crafted treasures of a bygone era are not nearly as plentiful as official mintage figures would indicate, particularly for examples in better condition.

One of the most beautiful and iconic of these silver trade dollars is the French Indo-China piastre. Over a period of about 30 years in the late 19th century, France accumulated several territories that it eventually consolidated into French Indo-China. The present-day countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were all part of this colony. At the time, the French Empire was second only to the British Empire in terms of prestige.

In order to facilitate trade in French Indo-China, France introduced a new currency unit called the piastre de commerce. The piastre was minted to a standard of 24.49 grams (0.7875 troy ounces) of pure silver. The series ran from 1885 to 1928 and featured the personification of Liberty seated on the front.

The figure of seated Liberty on the coin looks uncannily like the Statue of Liberty in New York City’s harbor. This isn’t just a coincidence. France gave the famous landmark to the United States in 1886 as a gift for its (belated) 100th anniversary. The reverse has a simple, yet elegant, wreath surrounded by a legend with the coin’s weight and fineness.

In 1895 the weight of the French Indo-China piastre was slightly reduced to 24.30 grams (0.7812 troy ounces) of fine silver. However, the purity and design of the coin were left unaltered. The French Indo-China piastre was minted primarily in Paris, but coins dated 1921 and 1922 were struck in Birmingham, Osaka or Hanoi.

French Indo-China Silver Piastre Coins for Sale on eBay

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Another silver trade dollar that is extremely popular with collectors today is the British trade dollar. In the early 1890s, the British began looking for a new currency to promote commerce with China, as well as Britain’s expansive East Asian possessions. As a result, the British trade dollar was minted from 1895 to 1935. This coveted coin saw heavy circulation in Burma, British Malaya, British Borneo, Singapore and Hong Kong.

This attractive silver trade dollar shows Britannia – the personification of the mighty British Empire – standing proudly with her trident and shield on the obverse while the reverse displays the denomination in both the Chinese and Malay languages. The British trade dollar contained 24.26 grams (0.7800 troy ounces) of fine silver and was minted in both Bombay (present day Mumbai) and Calcutta (present day Kolkata).

British Silver Trade Dollars for Sale on eBay

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The Japanese also felt the need to maintain their commercial interests by striking a silver trade dollar. In 1897 Japan pulled over 20 million of its silver one yen coins from circulation and countermarked them with the Japanese word “gin” or silver. These demonetized coins were then exported as bullion pieces to the Imperial Japanese possessions of Taiwan, Korea and Manchuria. The “gin” countermark denoting these as special trade pieces was stamped on the reverse of the coins, to either the left of the denomination (indicating the Osaka mint) or the right (indicating the Tokyo mint).

The Japanese silver one yen coin contained 24.26 grams (0.7800 troy ounces) of fine silver and was struck from 1874 to 1897. It featured an Asian-style dragon on the obverse and the stately Japanese imperial crest, along with a wreath and the denomination on the reverse. These remarkable Japanese silver trade dollars were a far cry from the feudal-style, “samurai money” the Tokugawa shogunate had struck just a few decades before.

Japanese Countermarked Silver One Yen Coins for Sale on eBay

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Not to be outdone by its trade rivals, the United States also minted an East Asian silver trade dollar that is extremely popular with collectors today. But this silver trade coin had a story behind it.

In the early 1870s the United States had two problems. First, it needed to find a way to off-load massive quantities of silver that had been discovered in Nevada’s famous Comstock Lode. Second, the U.S. was worried about the competitiveness of its existing silver dollar in the Far East trade versus the preeminent coin of Chinese commerce at the time, the silver Mexican 8 reales. Foreign silver coins other than the Mexican 8 reales – like the U.S. dollar – were often significantly discounted in transactions.

As a way to address both problems at once, the U.S. authorized the striking of a special, slightly heavier version of the silver dollar. This resulted in the U.S. trade dollar, a coin struck from 1873 to 1885 that was intended to circulate solely in China and the Far East. The U.S. trade dollar showed Liberty seated on the front and an eagle with wings spread on the back of the coin. The coin was struck in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Carson City (in Nevada) to a standard of 24.49 grams (0.7874 troy ounces) of pure silver.

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An ambitious connoisseur could assemble a very impressive traditional collection of these large, enticing silver coins by date and mint. Alternatively, one could assemble a good “short set” by acquiring a single example of each type of trade crown – a French Indo-China piastre de commerce, a British trade dollar, a “gin” countermarked Japanese yen and a U.S. trade dollar.

Another fine set would be a French Indo-China piastre from every decade of its production run – one from the 1880s, 1890s, 1900s, 1910s and finally the 1920s. This type of abbreviated set would work well with the British trade dollar as well.

Yet another variant would be collecting every different date of a U.S. trade dollar struck at a particular mint. A San Francisco U.S. trade dollar set would consist of six common-date coins and be eminently achievable. On the other hand, a Carson City set – although the same number of coins – would be substantially more challenging and expensive to assemble due to their lower mintages and high collector demand.

When purchasing silver trade dollars it is important to acquire coins in Very Fine (VF) or better condition. Coins in VF condition will retain most details on figures and devices, although the exact grading varies by the coin series. One potential exception to this rule is key date coins, where a lower grade may be acceptable.

For example, the 1878 Carson City U.S. trade dollar only had a mintage of 97,000 pieces. But according to U.S. mint records, 44,148 trade dollars were melted in that year. Almost all of these were undoubtedly 1878 issues from the Carson City mint. So it is likely that net issuance was only around 50,000 specimens, with many of those subsequently destroyed or heavily damaged. Therefore, unless your budget is unlimited, acquiring an 1878 Carson City trade dollar below VF condition may not only be acceptable, but your only realistic option.

The other primary consideration when choosing silver trade dollars is ensuring the coins are problem free. It is imperative to avoid pieces that are scratched, holed or damaged in any way. It is also wise to bypass coins that have been harshly cleaned at some point in their lives. A well-worn coin that is brilliantly lustrous is suspect and highly likely to have been cleaned. Instead, look for examples with original surfaces even if it means the coin is toned, dark or slightly tarnished.

Some trade pieces have chopmarks. These are Chinese characters stamped onto the coin by private Chinese banks or moneychangers to guarantee their silver content. In years past, chopmarked coins were considered damaged and thus traded at a discount to non-chopmarked examples.

However, this outdated opinion may be changing as the market for these attractive coins matures and becomes more sophisticated. At a minimum, chopmarks on a silver trade crown prove that the coin in question definitely circulated in the Far East – and more specifically the Chinese market.

With their impressive size, precious metal content and historical significance, silver trade dollars are highly desirable investments. In fact, as of early 2018, prices for these stunning coins have risen by almost 50% in just the last few years alone!

In spite of these rising prices, good examples of common date French Indo-China piastre and British silver trade dollars are still available in the $50 to $250 range. Countermarked Japanese one yen pieces run slightly more, with pricing starting at around $100. U.S. trade dollars are the most expensive of the group with common date varieties in reasonable condition trading for over $200.

Scarce or key dates of any of the series can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars, depending on condition. Key dates of the U.S. trade dollar in particular are difficult to find and correspondingly expensive. However, even an abridged set of these celebrated Far East silver trade coins would constitute a magnificent and compelling tangible asset.

It has been more than 150 years since Horace Greely’s famous pronouncement to “Go west, young man”. With the rise of China in the modern age, Horace Greeley’s illustrious advice to seek fortune on the edges of the globe has stood the test of time. And there are few finer ways of honoring the spirit of that astute motto than by investing in the silver trade dollars of East Asia.

Read more in-depth Antique Sage rare coin investment guides here.

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Read more in-depth Antique Sage Japanese antiques investment guides here.

Old School Glamour – Vintage Cigarette Holders

Here is an example of a typical vintage cigar or cheroot holder, circa late 19th or early 20th century. This specimen is either made from amber or an early plastic like Bakelite or Galalith. The original, fitted case significantly enhances the investment desirability of the piece.

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. It compels us to look fondly backward to a time in our life when things were simpler or better. Sometimes we can even be nostalgic for a time and place that we never experienced personally, like the cultural golden ages of pre-World War I Vienna or 1920s Paris. And few antiques are able to elicit nostalgia for bygone times, both experienced and imagined, like vintage cigarette holders. These luxury trappings were invariably at the fingertips of the wealthy, powerful and famous throughout the 20th century, allowing them to unapologetically smoke a cigarette and look great doing it.

A cigarette holder is a small, hollow, tubular device used as an intermediary between the smoker and his (or her) cigarette. Often made from the most precious materials available, vintage cigarette holders were objets d’art par excellence for the fashionable smoker. They embodied the highest principals of functional luxury for the liberated woman or urbane man during the first half of the 20th century.

The discerning gentleman who preferred to relax with the occasional cigar was not forgotten, however. Cigar holders, just as luxurious as their cigarette holder brethren, were also widely used from the late 19th century until the middle of the 20th century. In fact, this tobacco paraphernalia was almost a requirement in gentlemen’s clubs, billiard rooms and studies – anyplace men of refinement might gather to enjoy a leisurely cigar.

These personal tobacco accessories, the cigar holder and the cigarette holder, served two main purposes. First, they prevented nicotine staining of the fingers or gloves. If the cigarette holder contained a filter (a fairly common occurrence before the advent of filtered cigarettes) it would also help minimize any staining of the teeth. Second, a cigarette holder kept second hand smoke out of its users face. This was particularly helpful in social situations, like formal dinners, high society parties or the opera.

Cigarette smoking and, by extension, the use of cigarette holders, was a quintessentially 20th century affair. At the beginning of the century, in 1900, it is estimated that only 4% or 5% of tobacco users were cigarette smokers. All the others smoked cigars, pipes or used snuff. But that statistic changed rapidly during the first decades of the new century.

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The First World War, from 1914 to 1918, drove widespread adoption of cigarettes by men in the armed services all over the globe. Most belligerent countries during these conflicts, including Great Britain, Germany and the U.S., handed out cigarettes as part of their troops’ weekly ration packages. The Second World War merely reinforced this trend, firmly establishing cigarettes as the preeminent tobacco product. These two global conflicts, perhaps more than anything else, helped popularize and normalize smoking during the 20th century.

While pipe, cigar and cigarette smoking were originally considered a distinctly masculine pastime, women’s desire for liberation in the modern era led to their increased interest in smoking. Although regarded as unseemly and unladylike at the beginning of the 20th century, smoking also held an allure of illicitness via its association with jazz music, prohibition era drinking, underground gambling and even promiscuity. Indeed, it was the iconic female “flappers” of the rebellious 1920s who finally changed societal perceptions, legitimizing cigarette usage among women. Naturally, with increased smoking among women came the use of elegant and chic cigarette holders.

Smoking’s popularity reached its zenith in the middle of the 20th century, from the 1940s to the 1960s. During this period, almost everyone from the humblest housewife to the most powerful politician indulged in a relaxing cigarette occasionally. And the eye-catching, portable and ever stylish cigarette holder was omnipresent.

Old Hollywood starlets, in particular, have given us countless iconic images showing bejeweled cigarette holders languorously hanging from their lips. Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth were just a few of the acclaimed celebrities from Old Hollywood to smoke cigarettes, usually with a magnificent cigarette holder.

Some other famous smokers of the era were 007 creator Ian Fleming, musician Nat King Cole and gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Even rebellious royalty luxuriated in smoking during this period. Great Britain’s Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was, scandalously, a smoker from her teenage years. But she often burnished her defiance through the glamorous use of high end cigarette holders.

In 1961 the celebrated movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s was released. This notable film featured the famous actress Audrey Hepburn portraying Holly Golightly, a young, sophisticated New York debutante who sported a trademark long cigarette holder. This character perhaps best exemplifies the apogee of mid-century cigarette culture and its indispensible companion, the cigarette holder.

However, during the 1960s and 1970s, more and more medical evidence began to point to the dangers of smoking. The resulting decline in tobacco use was slow at first, and many beautiful and functional cigarette holders were created during this time. But, inexorably, smoking gradually became associated with cancer, emphysema and other terrible diseases. By the early 1980s, cigarette use in the West was dying, and with it the need for glamorous cigarette holders. An era had ended.

Vintage cigarette holders were made from a wide range of different materials, from the unassuming to the opulent. Amber, the fossilized resin of ancient trees, was one of the most common materials used. Another substance frequently encountered is tortoiseshell which originates from the carapace of large turtle and tortoise species like the hawksbill sea turtle. Ivory, with its warm tones and creamy, off-white color was also popular. The simple, black elegance of jet, a gem quality coal, was, likewise, a favorite material for vintage cigarette holders.

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All of these prized natural materials were imitated by early plastics starting in the late 19th and early 20th century. The very first of these, celluloid, was occasionally used in the production of cigarette and cigar holders, but was discontinued as soon as other plastics became available due to its flammability. Casein formaldehyde, called Galalith, was another early synthetic plastic used in vintage cigarette holders. But perhaps the best known of all the early plastics was Bakelite, the trade name for phenol formaldehyde resin.

High quality vintage cigarette holders were often accented with the precious metals – gold, silver, or platinum. This would usually take the form of one or more simple bands near the middle or the tip of the cigarette holder. Vintage cigarette or cigar holders were even created from semi-precious stones like jade, lapis or agate, although this was less common.

Vintage cigarette holders were frequently made out of a combination of several different materials. In these cases, the organic gem materials and plastics mentioned before were reserved for the stem of the piece that would be held in the mouth. This is because these materials were thermally non-conductive and would keep the user from accidentally being burnt.

While humble cigarette holders that sold for less than a dollar were manufactured in profusion, the most desirable specimens today were produced by famous makers. Renowned luxury houses, such as Cartier, Buccellati, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Boucheron, created some of the most sumptuous examples. But the famous Russian jewelry firm of Faberge is celebrated as perhaps the greatest maker of luxury antique cigar and cigarette holders.

A special mention is in order for Alfred Dunhill, a noted English tobacconist who founded the eponymous firm of Alfred Dunhill Ltd. While his company started as a generalist British luxury goods company, it soon developed a sterling reputation as a purveyor of fine tobacco accessories, including cigarette and cigar holders. Dunhill vintage cigarette holders were made to the highest standard, as evidenced by the fact that the company received a Royal Warrant as the tobacconist to the Prince of Wales in 1921. Alfred Dunhill Ltd. cigarette and cigar holders can often be identified at a glance by their characteristic “white dot” trademark.

High quality materials are a must when looking to invest in vintage cigarette holders. Precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, are often found on high end specimens. Other precious materials like tortoise shell, amber, ivory or jade are also usually indicative of a high quality cigarette holder.

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Early plastics, like Bakelite, have a neutral impact on the value of vintage cigarette holders. Instead, it is the workmanship and any accompanying materials that determine the item’s desirability. A simple antique cigarette holder made entirely from Bakelite will possess limited desirability, while a sumptuously crafted Bakelite specimen accented with gold and diamonds will be quite valuable.

Condition, of course, is an attribute of primary importance when investing in vintage cigarette holders. Modest wear, usually in the form of light tooth marks, is completely acceptable on the stem of an antique cigarette holder. This indicates it was used and treasured by a former owner. But cracks, chips, significant discoloration or other noticeable damage will greatly reduce the value of a piece. In addition, a vintage cigarette or cigar holder that comes in its original case is always more desirable than one that doesn’t.

A compelling collection of vintage cigarette or cigar holders can be assembled for a surprisingly small investment. Relatively modest specimens start at just under $100, while more elaborate examples are usually just a few hundred dollars. Interestingly, even the finest pieces rarely go for more than $1,000, which allows disciplined connoisseurs to dabble in the high end cheaply. One need not smoke to admire a fine vintage cigarette holder or antique cigarette case. These luxury goods from yesteryear give both the aspiring tobacciana collector and objet d’art aficionado a window into a splendid, nostalgic past.

Read more in-depth Antique Sage tobacciana investment guides here.

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