My Personal Showcase of Exonumia Treasures

As a lifelong coin collector, I’ve always been fascinated by exonumia—those numismatic items beyond coins that tell such rich stories of history and culture. Lately, I’ve been going through my collection, looking at everything from tokens to medals, and I thought I’d share some of my favorites and what I’ve learned. For me, exonumia isn’t just about rarity; it’s about the personal connections and the excitement of finding unique pieces that many collectors overlook.

What Exactly is Exonumia?

From what I’ve seen, exonumia includes tokens, medals, counterstamps, badges, and even encased coins. These are pieces that were used instead of money or as commemorative objects, often tied to local history or social causes. What I love is the incredible variety—everything from wooden nickels made by coin clubs to casino chips fits here. That makes it a great area for collectors at any level. My advice? Focus on items that mean something to you or have a cool history. That way, building your collection is both fun and rewarding.

Diverse Gems in My Collection

Over the years, I’ve gathered some exonumia pieces that really speak to me. Here are a few standouts:

• Counterstamps and tokens: I’ve built up a nice collection of counterstamps—coins that have been stamped again with extra designs. My favorite is a Civil War-era storecard token. Holding it feels like touching history. And when you look closely, the small differences in the dies on each side make the hunt even more interesting.
• Historical medals: I really treasure a medal from the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. It has a winged figure that probably pays tribute to the workers or engineers. Another favorite is an 1879 Temperance medal. It’s a powerful reminder of the social movements back then, and it shows why it’s so important to dig into the stories behind these pieces.
• Unique finds: Encased coins are some of the neatest items, in my opinion. They have these protective covers that are both practical and collectible. I’ve also got a sheet of copper from the Anaconda mine—a bit of an oddball, but it shows how exonumia can even include raw materials that have numismatic appeal.

Even reproductions can be useful. I once bought a fake that wasn’t real, but it taught me a lot about what to look for. I’ll share some of those tips later.

Insights on Collecting and Grading

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that might help you. First, pay attention to the little details, like die types. Small differences in design can mean a lot for rarity and value. When grading, I always look at the surfaces under a good light to check for wear, counterstamps, or damage. Real pieces usually have a consistent patina and sharp details.
Market-wise, exonumia is often overlooked, so it’s a good place for new collectors to start without breaking the bank. But interest is growing, especially for items tied to big events like wars or commemorations. My tip? Begin with common pieces to get your feet wet, and maybe pick a theme like local history to keep your collection focused.

Essential Tips for Building Your Collection

Here are some strategies that have worked well for me:

• Authenticate everything: Always double-check with trusted sources, especially to avoid fakes. Watch for signs like odd wear or materials that don’t look right.
• Preserve carefully: Keep your exonumia in acid-free holders. Base metals tarnish easily, so this helps protect them.
• Seek variety: Don’t skip the unusual stuff—wooden nickels or casino chips. They make your collection more interesting and are great for showing off.
• Connect with history: Learn the stories behind your pieces. For example, that Brooklyn Bridge medal? Knowing its history makes it more special and might even reveal hidden value.

Exonumia has added so much to my coin collecting. I hope you’ll give it a try. Whether it’s tokens, medals, or those quirky counterstamps, there are so many stories to uncover. So what do you say—ready to start your own collection?