For those passionate about numismatic collecting, a coin's beauty goes beyond its design and history. Its condition, a key factor in value, is where the art of coin grading comes in. Numismatic ratings, assigned through a standardized system, are a precise indicator of  a coin's condition, which facilitates fair trades and informed collecting. The Sheldon Grading Scale, also known as the Sheldon coin condition scale or Sheldon grading system, is the industry standard for how coins are graded. Developed by Dr. William Sheldon in the 1940s,the Sheldon Grading Scale assigns a numerical grade from 1 to 70. The number reflects a coin's overall condition. To visually represent these grades with detailed descriptions look to coin grading charts, which are available online as well as from professional grading services. Understanding the Sheldon sca...Read More

In the world of investing, financial returns are often the primary goal. However, a growing number of investors are discovering the unique benefits of participating in passion commerce, putting money into assets that align with their personal interests and hobbies. Passion commerce can be both rewarding and personally fulfilling for auction houses and collectors alike, but the consumer benefits offer distinctive rewards from blending financial acumen with personal enthusiasm. What is Passion Commerce and Passion Investing? Bidsquare coined Passion Commerce as a way to describe the economy of transactions based on tangible personal interests such as art, classic cars, vintage wines, rare collectibles, and even real estate. Passion investing involves allocating capital to assets like these, and unlike traditional investments in stocks, bonds,...Read More

On May 20, 2024, Revere Auctions will be offering a different category of sale from their popular selections of American fine art, decorative objects, jewelry, furniture and Asian art. Here they will be presenting a 68 lot specialty auction titled ‘Snoopy & Friends: A “Peanuts” Auction’. This auction features a selection of “Peanuts” memorabilia based on the comic book strip that Charles Schulz (1922-2000), a Minneapolis native, published in 1950. Originally appearing in just seven newspapers, “Peanuts” became so popular that at its peak, appeared in over 2500 newspapers, was translated into 21 languages, and appeared in over 70 countries.  Internationally recognizable and much-loved by all age groups, “Peanuts” has grown to more than just the comic strip. It has moved into other media including animated tv specials, movies, toys and produc...Read More

Millea Bros will be hosting a three-day Select auction from May 15-17 in Boonton New Jersey. Part of the second day of the sale series on May 16 will be 150 Asian objects from China, Japan, the Himalayan region and India.  By far the most talked about object is lot 2076, a Chinese Liuyeping Porcelain Vase. Liuyeping 柳葉瓶vases literally translate to ‘willow leaf’, and are also referred to as amphora vases. This particular example has a six-character Kangxi 康熙 reign mark to the base which refers to a possible dating of 1664-1722. On the base are also an old Christie’s New York lot sticker and a label stating the piece was exhibited in a 1935 exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. These types of liuyeping vases are especially desirable in the current market for their rarity and elegant proportions. They were popularized during the 17th and ...Read More

Looking for unique, one of a kind, and environmentally friendly gifts? You’re going to win with these. We all have someone on our list who is difficult to shop for. The holidays are more than gifts, sure, but what does one do for someone who is utterly wonderful but they just have everything? We have ideas to make your holiday shopping easier. We are leaning into the trend that’s been warming up for a few years, gift giving in a more climate-friendly way. It’s been circulating as early as 2021 in this Washington Post article, but the buzz this year is that it is indeed a long term trend indeed, toward a reducing the environmental impact of gift-giving. In the best cases, this may also be somewhat budget friendly. The rhetoric coming into play with this approach feels so fresh, and includes clutter-reducing ideas in the form of consumables, ...Read More

Fine Estate Inc. hosts a collection of items from the estate of indomitable tastemaker and art collector, Chara Schreyer. The sale, Art & Jewelry from The Chara Schreyer Collection will be held Nov 19, 2023 at 2pm EST. Fine Estate Inc., a leading Bay Area auction house, is showcasing an incredible selection of jewelry and works of art from her estate. Chara was known throughout elite fine art circles for building one of the world’s leading collections of modern and contemporary art, as well as for her devotion to philanthropy in support of the arts.  Her California homes were renowned for being more akin to galleries than living spaces, and she frequently hosted tours of her collection for enthusiasts and educational institutions alike.   Within the sale are incredible, unique pieces for collectors and aesthetic enthusiasts alike. A standou...Read More

There’s an auction unlike any other happening next weekend. Kimball Sterling, known for its cane auctions, some from celebrity owners, is hosting “Outsider, Folk Art and Pottery- A one owner Collection.” Outsider and folk art, often overlooked by mainstream art circles, offers a fascinating glimpse into the uncharted territories of creativity. This genre, characterized by its untrained and often unconventional practitioners, captures the raw, unfiltered expressions of individuals who exist outside the traditional art world. The auction catalog features 93 works of art including paintings, sculpture, and ceramics. There’s a range of works from Mose Tolliver, Buddy Snipes, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Ned Berry, and James H. Jennings.  Mose Tolliver, affectionately known as "Mose T," emerged from Montgomery, Alabama, with an artistic vision entirely hi...Read More

One of the most exciting collections of Asian art will be offered through Bidsquare at Stair, Hudson NY, on October 5. Titled ‘Asian Works of Art’ this sale features just over 200 lots with the majority originating from China, the Himalayan region, India and Japan. Many collectors have been anticipating this auction for weeks. Of particular interest are approximately thirty objects from the Moke Mokotoff Collection. John ‘Moke’ Mokotoff (1950-2022) was a New York dealer of East Asian art who specialized in Chinese and Indian textiles. He was also a devout practitioner and teacher of Buddhism, and for over forty years acquired hundreds of objects from the Himalayan region. Many pieces from his collection were recently offered at Christie’s New York in September of 2023.  At Stair, one of the most attractive lots from the Mokotoff Collection ...Read More

Even though New York Asia Week wrapped up just a couple of days ago, there are still numerous Asian art themed-auctions going on at Bidsquare! One of the most exciting sales is at Tenmoku Auctions in Fairfield NJ.    On September 30, Tenmoku will be offering over 250 lots in their ‘Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art’ auction, with most originating from China and Japan. These include bronze sculptures, earthenware figures, mark and period porcelain, Buddhist art, jade carvings, domestic furniture and scroll paintings.   The highlight of the sale is lot 60, a Chinese celadon glazed double gourd vase with a rare Yongzheng mark on the base. The mark suggests a dating of 1723-1735 and the vase’s form is extremely elegant. Double gourds have a significant meaning in Chinese culture. Since it consists of two spherical halves, double gourds can ...Read More

Two very exciting paintings grace the October 5th and 6th Americana & International auction at Pook & Pook. Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire works by a recently rediscovered artist of international renown, who played an important role in promoting National Park landscapes to the American public. Gunnar Widforss (Sweden, United States, 1879-1934) roamed the world looking for beautiful landscapes. Born in Sweden, he earned a living in the first decades of the 20th century plein air painting in spa towns and scenic spots around the Mediterranean, where he was in proximity to both beauty and a customer base. He achieved success, having two paintings accepted in the Paris Salon. In 1921 he began a journey to Japan, which ended when he ran out of money in California. While there, Widforss fell back on his work formula of scenery an...Read More