Capturing Simple to Complex Collections 

All of those collections of wine, dolls, watches, art, stamps, and handbags have stories to share and will not speak for themselves.  

We’ve learned that Articting collections often relates closely to your motivation, that’s your motivation to collect something in the first place as well as what you would like to one day become of your collection. Is it a casual hobby that brings you joy, an investment that you will sell off in part or whole with time, or is this a passion that you will transfer one day to family or perhaps a philanthropy or foundation of choice? Particularly for the latter two reasons, you might want to also read about collection management with Artifcts, co-authored with a professional appraiser. 

Today, see if one of these Artifcting approaches will help you to preserve the ‘why’ and greater ‘value’ and also align with your motivation. 

• Put on your sentimental hat. Think about the collection this way: If someone were to inherit your collection, are any pieces of particular value to you? Why? Start with these pieces of the collection for some sentimental peace of mind. 
• Most collections have natural groupings. Start and complete Artifcting for one group before moving on to the next. 
• Attach inventory lists as “Documentation” in your Artifct and use the Artifct photos and video to go into the true value (market or sentimental), your personal ‘why’ behind the collection, and highlights pertinent to any special pieces in the collection. 
• Start big and work your way down by taking a video to scan the collection. You can then dedicate a certain amount of time per day, week, or month to add more details, to individually Artifct each piece, or Artifct together in “like” groupings and add to the description details about individual pieces of the collection. 

Don’t forget! 

You can request free valuations after you Artifct an item if you have a paid Artifcts membership so you have more information to decide how to store, distribute, insure, and otherwise manage your piece for the long haul. 

"Documentation" is your ally. Inventory lists, warranties, certificates of authenticity — the full story you don’t want everyone else who views the Artifct to see... endless possibilities. Attach those documents in the "Documentation" field of your Artifct to keep them private and only viewable to you. 

Digital storage is your secret weapon. Artifcting the most revealing family photos to make sure history is not lost? Still have 1000s more where that came from? Digital collections can sit happily where you have them. Simply provide the file path/folder/site information in your Artifct under “Location” so those you give Full Control or pass on your Artifcts too will know where to look for more if they are interested! 

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Have another tip or approach for collections?  

Share on social media or write to us at Editor@Artifcts.com.  

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© 2023 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sometimes collections sneak up on you. You may not realize it as you browse through tin spoons in a souvenir shop, or rummage through stamps at a yard sale. Yet, when you get back home, you might realize as you go to put your newfound treasures away, wow, I have a lot of those spoons, stamps, you name it!  

This is the story of  @Grandmom, and her secret-not-so-secret coin collection.  

Grandmom never set out to collect coins per se. She's a world traveler, and enjoys bartering in local markets, from Kathmandu to Liberia. Grandmom has always found that she can get a great deal if she offers to toss in an American coin or two. And, when she’s lucky, she gets back local coins and currencies.  

Forty years and just as many (if not more) countries later, Grandmom has quite a coin collection. Not just a couple of bowls of coins by her bedside table. Nope, we’re talking bins and bins of coins and currencies from all over the world. Some date back to the 1800s!  

The funny thing is, she never explicitly told anyone about it. Her grown sons vaguely recall, “Yeah, she might have had a coin collection.” Her grandkids had no clue either. Imagine our surprise one Sunday afternoon when she pulled out the bins (and bins) of coins and asked for help to identify a couple of her favorites as she can no longer remember when or where she got them, “It was so long ago.” 

Got a secret-not-so-secret collection on your hands? Don’t know where to start? Grandmom’s got a couple of tips to share when going through collections that may have snuck up on you over time.  

1. Start with your favorites. Which ones do you like the most? What can you remember about them? Don’t worry if you can’t remember everything. You can always go back and add more details later. This is one of Grandmom’s favorite coins.  
2. Are there any unique pieces that you think others should know about? Grandmom has all the stories in her head, but she’s started to Artifct some of the more unique pieces of her collection to make sure that her family knows the details, like these Victory nickels.  
3. Pair travel photos with coins from that location to tell the story. It’s a great way to connect the “what” (the coin) with the experience (the trip, the memories). Can’t remember the exact details? Knowing just the trip and some of your favorite memories from that trip is easily enough to tell the story and connect the dots.  

Have a surprise collection to share? We’d love to feature you! Reach out to us at Editor@Artifcts.com.  

Happy Artifcting! 

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© 2022 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.