(Photo Credit to SL collector)
If you were Malaysia commemorative proof collector since 7-8 years ago, it may not strange to you that the commemorative proof coin collection principle was pertaining to the completeness for the whole set of coin (which includes the packaging box and certificate) over the condition of the coin itself. It is not surprising that you may find some person willing to fork up a premium price to grab a piece of certificate with "fancy number" such as 88,99 or last serial number.
An incidence that I still manage to dig out from my memory, in 2009, that was a piece of Thomas Cup Silver Coin 2000 (in fine condition) which with box but without cert was only asked about half of the market value in that time but it took about few months of time to let go after further price deduction compared to another same piece in complete set in the same time which are sold with 20% premium than the current market value. Since that time, that is a question mark unavoidably raised in my mind, is it certificate a big deal?
I believe a number of people may have the same queries as me especially the arising of coin grading practice which gains the awareness of the collectors about the coin condition is ultimate measurement for a coin.
It is nothing about true or wrong. For me, you must clear about your collection hypothesis such as:
Hypothesis A: I am collecting commemorative proof set
or
Hypothesis B: I am collecting commemorative proof coin
or
Hypothesis C: I want everything in perfect!
If you clear about collection hypothesis as above mentioned, such issue shall not be a controversial again.
If you preferred Hypothesis A, it means you put the completeness of whole set as same in ranking. in other words, you may more concern about the presence of the all accessories rather than condition. If you are type Hypothesis B, it means you rank the coin condition higher than others, the presence of other accessories may not a big deal for you.
How about type Hypothesis C? If you willing pay everything for perfect, surely not a big deal.
However, if you were collector typed hypothesis A and C, some facts you may have to know:
- BNM proof cert has no any security features, it is just a piece of common printing card and easily falsified by any intended party. The printing cost may even lower than your name card if bulk printing.
- The commemorative coin box can tailor-made by yourself. Unless those boxes which are fine artworks such as pewter or porcelain made which may worthy in collection. For example, Songket Set, Millenium Set or Thomas cup Set.
So, have you decided for your collection hypothesis?
Numis Galleries House
28 May 2015
The following are some discussion among the collector in Malaysia Commemorative Proof Coin Medallion Token Pewter & Collectibles, Facebook at 26/11/2015.
