Posted on by — Leave a comment

Types of Vinyl Records

Vinyl records are making a comeback in the age of streaming music. Many music lovers are turning to vinyl records for their warm sound, beautiful album artwork, and physical format. Vinyl records are for true music lovers who appreciate the experience of listening to music on a turntable.

If you’re new to vinyl records and want to start building your collection, you might be overwhelmed by the different types of vinyl records available. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the different types of vinyl records and how to recognize each type.

Types of Vinyl Records

The following are various types of vinyl records:

  • Shellac records, 10” 78 rpm
  • LP (Long Play), 12” 33 1/3 rpm
  • EP (Extended Play), 7” 45 rpm
  • SP (Single Play)
  • Flexi Disks

Shellac Records

The Shellac record was the first type of vinyl records. These are 10” in diameter and play at 78 revolutions per minute (rpm) and are typically heavier, harder, colder and more rigid records compared to all other kinds. View Shellac Records listed on BidCurios.

LP Long Play Vinyl Records

The LP replaced the Shellacs in the 1950s. LP stands for “long-playing” and typically contains 8-12 songs on each side. The LP is the most common type of vinyl record and is still being produced today. LPs are 12” in diameter and play at 33 1/3 rpm. View LPs listed on BidCurios.

EP Extended Play Vinyl Records

The EP (extended play) is smaller than an LP and typically contains 2-4 songs on each side. The EP was popular in the 1960s and 1970s and is still being produced today, especially in the punk and indie music scenes. EPs are 7” in diameter and play at 45 rpm. View EPs listed on BidCurios.

SP Single Play Vinyl Records

The SP (single play) is a smaller vinyl record that was popular in the 1950s and early 1960s. It typically contains one song on each side and is often called a “45” because it plays at 45 rpm. These are usually 7” in diameter. View SPs listed on BidCurios.

Flexi Disks Vinyl Records

Flexi disks are a type of vinyl record that is flexible and can be folded. They were popular in the 1960s and 1970s and were often given away as freebies with magazines or as promotional items. They typically contain one song on each side and can only be played a few times before they wear out.

To recognize each type of vinyl record, you can look for the size and the label. The 10″ shellac record is easy to recognize because it is harder than the other types of vinyl records. LPs are typically 12″ in diameter and have a small hole in the center. 7″ EPs are smaller than LPs and also have a small hole in the center. SPs are also 7″ in diameter but have a larger hole in the center. Flexi disks are usually smaller than LPs and may come in round or square shapes.

What record type will play in your record player?

It’s important to check if the vinyl record you want to buy will play in your record player. Most modern record players can play 12″ LPs, 7″ EPs, and 45s. However, some record players might not be able to play 10″ shellac records or flexi disks. Make sure to check the specifications of your record player before buying a vinyl record.

Most old “gramophone” record players will play only Shellac 10” records. If you have an old gramophone that doesn’t have speed settings, it is most likely that it will only play 78 rpm Shellac records.

Where to buy vinyl records in India?

Building a vinyl collection can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can start by looking for vinyl records at your local record store or online marketplaces like BidCurios.com. BidCurios.com is India’s leading marketplace for collectibles, including vinyl records. You can find rare and vintage vinyl records at BidCurios.com and choose from wide selection of genres. Click the link to view the vinyl records listed on BidCurios.

In conclusion, vinyl records are making a comeback in the age of streaming music. If you’re new to vinyl records and want to start building your collection, it’s important to recognize the different types of vinyl records and check if they will play in your record player. BidCurios.com is a great place to start building your vinyl collection, with a wide selection of rare and vintage vinyl records. Enjoy the warm sound and physical experience of listening to music.

Check out vinyl records available on BidCurios

Vinyl Records

SAHIB BIBI AUR GALAM – Condition – 90% – cover as per photo

₹1,000.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

Pat Boone White Christmas Hollywood Movie Lp Vinyl Record Condition-Near Mint

₹2,500.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

ALAG ALAG – LP – Condition – 95%

₹4,500.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

HOOTENANNY AT THE LIMELIGHT * Vinyl Record LP 12″ 33 rpm

₹1,680.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

Sri Sathya Sai Bhajans Devotional LP Vinyl Record Condition-95%

₹3,000.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

Ek Kali Muskayee Bollywood Movie LP Vinyl Record Condition-90%

₹1,800.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

Aftaab Ghazals By Ashok Khosla Ghazals LP Record Condition-90 to 95%

₹2,000.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

KIDDITUNES – JACK & THE BEANSTALK – (5 Inches Record )- 78 RPM – Condition – 95%

₹4,000.00

incl. GST
Buy Now Add to Cart

Browse different Vinyl Record Categories:

Browse Art Categories

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Collecting Proof Sets and UNC Coins

Blog post on Collecting Proof sets and UNC Coins

Proof sets and UNC coins (Uncirculated coins) are a fascinating area of numismatics that offer collectors an opportunity to own beautifully crafted coins with exceptional quality. Proof coins are specially minted coins with a mirror-like surface finish that is achieved by striking them multiple times with specially polished dies. UNC coins, on the other hand, are coins that have never been in circulation and have no signs of wear or damage.

Proof sets and UNC coins are highly prized by collectors because of their rarity, beauty, and historical significance. These coins are minted in limited quantities, making them rare and valuable. The coins in proof sets are often struck with higher quality than regular coins, making them sought after by collectors. Proof coin sets value is typically much higher than regular coins and these make for a great investment along with the pleasure in collecting these.

How to Start Collecting Proof Sets and UNC Coins

One of the best ways to start collecting proof sets and UNC coins is by purchasing them online at BidCurios. As India’s leading marketplace for collectibles, BidCurios, offers a wide range of proof coin sets for sale, making it easy for collectors to find the coins they are looking for. With a vast selection of coins from around the world, collectors can find coins from countries that they may have never seen before.

When starting a collection, it is important to decide on a theme or focus for your collection. This could be a particular country, era, or type of coin. Once you have a theme in mind, you can start to build your collection by purchasing coins that fit within that theme. A good way to start a collection is with a starter kit, which can include a variety of coins that fit within your chosen theme.

How to Care for your Proof Sets and UNC Coins

As you start to build your collection, it is important to keep your coins safe and secure. Investing in a good quality storage case or album is essential to protect your coins from damage or wear. Additionally, it is important to handle your coins with care, using gloves to avoid transferring oils or dirt onto the coins.

In conclusion, collecting Proof sets and UNC coins is a fascinating hobby that offers collectors an opportunity to own rare and valuable coins with exceptional quality. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting out, BidCurios is the perfect place to find the coins you are looking for. So start your collection today and discover the beauty and history of proof sets and UNC coins!

Buy India Proof Sets
Buy World Proof Sets
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sunga Dynasty Empire Coinage

The Sunga Empire was a powerful Indian dynasty that ruled from approximately 185 BCE to 73 BCE. During this time, they minted a variety of coins that have become fascinating objects of study for historians, archaeologists, and numismatists. In this blog post, we will explore the coinage of the Sunga Empire and what it tells us about the political, economic, and cultural landscape of ancient India.

The earliest coins of the Sunga Empire were struck by the founder of the dynasty, Pushyamitra Sunga. These coins were cast in the punch-marked style, which was a common technique used by Indian dynasties in the 3rd century BCE. Punch-marked coins were made by punching symbols and inscriptions onto a blank piece of metal, usually silver or copper. The symbols on the Sunga coins included various animals such as elephants, lions, and horses, as well as abstract symbols like the sun, moon, and various geometric shapes.

One notable feature of Sunga coinage is the wide range of denominations that were produced. The Sunga coins were issued in a variety of sizes and weights, ranging from tiny fractions of a gram to larger coins weighing several grams. The smallest coins were used for everyday transactions, while the larger coins were likely used for more significant transactions such as taxes, tribute payments, and trade with foreign merchants.

One of the most distinctive features of Sunga coinage is the use of a unique symbol called the ‘Ujjain symbol.’ This symbol appears on many Sunga coins, particularly those issued during the reign of Agnimitra, the second Sunga king. The Ujjain symbol is a depiction of a tree with a crescent moon and a six-armed sun above it. The exact meaning of this symbol is not entirely clear, but it is thought to represent the city of Ujjain, which was an important center of commerce and culture during the Sunga period.

The Sunga coins were made from a variety of metals, including copper, silver, and gold. The most common metal used for Sunga coins was silver, which was abundant in India at the time. Some Sunga coins were also made from a unique alloy called ‘potin,’ which was made from copper, tin, and lead. Potin coins were particularly popular in the western part of the empire, where they were used in trade with foreign merchants.

The Sunga Empire was a period of significant cultural and economic growth in ancient India, and its coinage provides us with valuable insights into this period. The wide range of denominations and the use of Brahmi script on the coins indicate the growing importance of literacy and trade in Indian society. The use of the Ujjain symbol on many Sunga coins highlights the significance of certain cultural and commercial centers in ancient India.

The Sunga coinage also reveals some of the political and military events that occurred during this period. For example, the coins issued by Pushyamitra Sunga often depict a horse with a spear, which may have been a reference to his military exploits. Similarly, the coins issued by the later Sunga kings often depict them holding various weapons, which suggests a focus on martial power and the need to defend the empire against external threats.

Buy Sunga Dynasty Coins
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tintin and Asterix on Stamps

Two of the popular comic characters that get a lot of love from readers all around the world are Tintin and Asterix.

The Adventures of Tintin is a series created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series first appeared in French on 10 January 1929, in Le Petit Vingtième (The Little Twentieth), a youth supplement to the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle (The Twentieth Century). The success of the series led to serialised strips published in Belgium’s leading newspaper Le Soir (The Evening) and spun into a successful Tintin magazine. In 1950, Hergé created Studios Hergé, which produced the canonical versions of 11 Tintin albums. The series was one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century. Tintin comics have been published in over 70 languages and had also been adapted for radio, television, theatre and film.

Asterix is a comic book series about a village of indomitable Gaulish warriors who adventure around the world and fight the Roman Republic, with the aid of a magic potion, during the era of Julius Caesar, in an ahistorical telling of the time after the Gallic Wars. The series first appeared in the Franco-Belgian comic magazine Pilote on 29 October 1959. It was written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo until Goscinny’s death in 1977. Uderzo then took over the writing until 2009, when he sold the rights to publishing company Hachette; he died in 2020. In 2013, a new team consisting of Jean-Yves Ferri (script) and Didier Conrad (artwork) took over. As of 2021, 39 volumes have been released, with the most recent released in October 2021.

Given the immense popularity of Tintin and Asterix, stamps and covers of this theme are very popular with philatelists. Only a few countries have issued stamps on Tintin and Asterix and all items are not readily available.

Countries issuing Tintin StampsCountries issuing Asterix Stamps
Belgium
Netherlands
France
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Belgium
Monaco

Cinderella stamps:
Abkhazia (a disputed Georgian territory, recognized as independent by South Ossetia, Transnistria, or Republic of Artsakh)		Guernsey
France
Belgium
Tadjikistan
Tadjikistan
Kyrgyzstan

BidCurios brings for you a range of Tintin and Asterix philately collectibles from France and Belgium. Chose from collection of stamps, miniature souvenir sheets, First Day Covers, Special Covers and other philatelic collectibles.

View Collection
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Postal Stamps of India

Around the world every year on 9thOctober World Post Day is celebrated. On this day in 1874, Universal Postal Union was established in Bern, Switzerland. In India the day is celebrated on October 10th as National Postal Day and it is marked as an extension of World Post Day.

Postal stamps of India are produced with a variety of techniques such as line engraving, typography, lithography, photogravure, and web offset.

India Postage Stamps History

  • On 1 July 1852, the very first postal stamp of India was introduced in the Scinde district. When in 1854 the uniform postage rates came, it led to the development of India postage stamps that were valid throughout India.
  • first postal stamp of India
    Image by: wikipedia.org
  • In Britain, the introduction of uniform postage led to increased use of the postal system. It got doubled between 1854 and 1866 and later again got increased in 1866 and 1871.
  • These stamps came in different colors too that featured Queen Victoria. They were introduced with 4 values i.e. half anna, one anna, two annas, and four annas.
  • These stamps were designed and printed in Kolkata and were issued without gum.
  • After the independence of India, the responsibility of the postal services was transferred to the new Indian Government. Although the involvement of Britain was still present in postal services to India. In a similar manner as they managed other international postal services.

Importance of India postage stamps

A piece of paper issued by a postal administration or post office is known as Postage Stamps. They are used to affix as a stamp on the address side of any product of the mail or an envelope.

  1. These stamps depict the specific value and can be prepayment for postal service equivalent to its face value.
  2. Postal stamps of India provide us a glance of important things of an important era. The pictorial depiction of postal stamps is used by the government to convey messages to the general public.
  3. It also shows the important role in celebrating and promoting national heritage.
  4. When it comes to the postal stamps of India, it plays an essential role in celebrating and promoting national heritage.
  5. In India, there is a variety of stamps that have been used over time with different themes.

Types of postal stamps of India

There are six types of Indian postage stamps that are in circulation in India.

1. Commemorative Stamps

On a significant date, a commemorative stamp is used such as to honor or commemorate an event, place, object, or anniversary. The subject is spelled out in print on commemorative stamps. To honor personalities like freedom fighters, politicians many commemorative stamps are utilized. The stamps are used to celebrate events that are related to science, technology, space, defense, sports, etc.

2. Definitive stamps

They are designed for everyday postal needs. Definitive stamps are used in part of regular issues. They are available for using postage services for an extended period of time. There have been different uses of definitive stamps like in illustrations, history, art, science, nature, technology, institutions, vehicles, and much more. The range of denominations is enough to cover the ongoing postal rates.

3. Military stamps

When peace-keeping operations are on during the time of war, some special stamps get used known as Military stamps. Previously, the military stamps were used in World War II by the soldiers. The soldiers used to send letters to their loved ones with these stamps on them. In India, many military stamps have been released for many military operations. In it, the army made many selfless contributions. Military stamps depict different monuments, cultures, arts, crafts, personalities and so many more. To use in regular definitive stamps by peace-keeping Armed Force, the stamps are overprinted.

4. Miniature sheets

It consists of a small group of stamps that are attached to the sheet on which they get printed. Miniature sheets could be unique designs and illustrations on the sheets. India issuing miniature sheets portrays a variety of elements of the nation’s identity. It can be of famous personalities, events, culture, history, etc.

5. Se-tenant stamps

Different stamps are adjoined to one another and are printed on the same plate. Although they are adjoined with each other on the same sheet, their design, color, denomination, or overprint differ. Se-tenant stamps feature the figurative designs that appear on the set of stamps. Many collectors love collecting these beautiful se-tenants from India as a hobby.

6. My stamps

It is a brand name for personalized sheets of postage stamps of India Post. By printing a thumbnail image of the individual photographs and logos of artwork, beautiful places, wildlife, etc. through which the personalization is achieved.

Additional Information

  1. In May 1854, the half anna blue-colored stamp of Queen Victoria was declared as the world’s first bicolored stamp.
  2. Postal stamps of India were printed on paper watermarked with an elephant’s head from 1865.
  3. The first postage stamp of India was valued at three annas has an inscription engraved as “Jai Hind” which means ‘Long Live India’.
  4. During World Philatelic Exhibition, 2011 in India, My Stamp was the first presented.

BidCurios is a marketplace in India for collectibles like stamps, coins, notes, art, antiques, memorabilia, labels, comics, autographs, and much. We sell antiques, old currency, stamps, medals &tokens and provide the one-stop solution to enthusiasts interested in collecting the abovementioned items. When it comes to collectibles, we understand that Indians are one of the best admirers of it. All thanks to India’s rich history and multicultural approach. For some people, collectibles is a hobby, for some it’s a trade. At BidCurios, we provide a platform to the buyers and sellers. Recently, we have added unique coins like Panama 1/2 half Balboa 2014 commemorative  coin 100th anniversary of Panama Canal, Rare South Sudan 2 pounds bimetallic coin, etc. For more information, you can visit our homepage, or in case of any queries, contact us at +91-8130696940, support@bidcurios.com .

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Coinage of Bengal Sultanates

Muhammad bin Sam established the Delhi Sultanate and his armies conquered the entire Ganges basin all the way to Bengal. Under his rule, coins began to be issued in the name of the Delhi Sultan in 1203. Muhammad bin Sam faced the difficult task of controlling Bengal from far away in Delhi. The governors of Bengal periodically exercised their independence, starting with Qutb ud-din Aibak’s viceroy Ali Mardan in 1210. Delhi kept trying to reestablish its authority, but Bengal kept pulling away. The first truly independent sultanate in Bengal emerged after the death of Balban in 1287.

The Bengal Sultanate lasted for almost 300 years, with periods of greater control from Delhi and then long periods when Delhi was too preoccupied with its own troubles to worry about Bengal. Its decline began with an interregnum by the Suri Empire, followed by Mughal conquest and disintegration into petty kingdoms.

Here’s a very useful and educative video by MHRD and UGC on Bengal Sultanates coinage:

Buy Bengal Sultanate Coins
Posted on by — Leave a comment

QSL Cards

Before Internet shortened attention spans, and even before the full advent of television, people listened to the radio and connected with far away countries. I remember tuning my medium wave and short-wave radio, extending the antennae with a wire dangled to the window frame, trying to catch different radio stations. In India, radio Sri Lanka was immensely popular because of the Geet Maala program. BBC was easy to catch too and quite a favorite for news and other programs. Voice of America had a strong signal too though it was popular during the night. But the fun was trying to catch radio stations from different countries. More technical hobbyist would set up HAM radios and talk to other people across the world who they had never met or seen. Perhaps those were the first “chat rooms” or instant messages much before the Internet.

Unlike HAM hobbyists, listening to a short-wave or medium-wave radio station was only half the fun because it was a one-way communication. To complete this communication, hobbyist would write to the radio stations about receiving their signal. The radio stations would then send QSL cards through mail confirming the reception. QSL cards were postcards confirming reception of the station’s radio signal. Amateur radio operators also exchanged QSL cards to confirm two-way radio contact between stations. Each card contains details about one or more contacts, the station and its operator.

QSL card derived its name from the Q code “QSL”. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question (when the code is followed by a question mark). While ‘QSL?’ (with a question mark) means “Do you confirm receipt of my transmission?”, ‘QSL’ (without a question mark) means “I confirm receipt of your transmission.”

Collecting QSL cards became popular with radio listeners in the 1920s and 1930s, and reception reports were often used by early broadcasters to gauge the effectiveness of their transmissions.

Buy QSL Cards

If you are looking to sell your QSL cards, you can register as a seller and list your QSL cards on BidCurios. Here’s more info on how to sell on BidCurios.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

First Flight Covers

In philately, a first flight cover (FFC) is mail that has been carried on an inaugural flight of an airline, route, or aircraft. It is usually postmarked with the date of the flight. Most first flight covers are essentially made as collectables and are typically on special decorative covers indicating the airlines and the flight they were carried on.

Collecting first flight covers is a special treat for philatelists as these are considered as postal history as well as aero history of the airlines and the route. The first such cover was carried on February 18, 1911, during the United Provinces Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition in India. The young French pilot Henri Pequet carried mail from the exhibition location Allahabad to Naini, which is approx. 8 km away. These covers were stamped with the large circular bright magenta postmark “First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad 1911” and a few cards were autographed by the pilot. Pequet carried about 6,000 cards and letters on his journey.

There are many other branches of Aero Philately that interest the philatelists. There is Balloon mail, Rocket mail, and even Pigeon mail.

Buy First Flight Covers
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Mint Marks of Republic India Coins

Mint Marks on Republic India Coins

There are 4 mints in India. Kolkata and Mumbai were the earliest of the mints established in India. Hyderabad was the third mint, which was followed by Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

  • Kolkata mint was the first mint established in India in year 1757. Since it was the first mint of India, there is no mint mark on coins minted in Kolkata mint. The space below the year is empty for these coins.
  • Mumbai Mint is the second oldest mints of India. The Mumbai Mint was established in year 1829. In the year 2006, Government of India took a decision to corporatize all the mints & presses under the banner named Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd.
  • In 1948, the State of Hyderabad came under the control of Government of India. Administratively, Hyderabad Mint was under control of Bombay Mint from 1948 to 1962 until Shri B.S. Ayer took charge of Hyderabad Mint as Master of Mint.
  • Noida Mint was the most recent mint established in India in 1984. Noida comes under Uttar Pradesh but falls under National Capital Region (NCR) that encompasses Delhi and its neighboring towns.

The mint marks represent where the coins were minted or produced. The mint mark is usually located just beneath the year.

In some years of 1980s and 1990s, there was an acute shortage of regular coins in India. Indian mints were unable to mint enough coins as required. In this period, the Indian government sought help from mints of foreign countries and minted and imported regular coins from foreign mints across the world to overcome the shortage of coins.

Mint marks of coins minted in foreign mints:

There are 19 coins minted outside India. No commemorative coin has been minted outside India.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Kashmir Lohara Dynasty

Ksemagupta, King of Kashmir and Didda Rani princess of Lohara dynasty got married, this marriage united Kashmir and Lohara Kings. Didda Rani was so clever, she transfixed the King Ksemagupta and had wholly engrossed his mind such that she had considerable influence in state affairs and the King even carved her name on his coins.

After Ananta’s death, the Rani gave a donation to the troops, and declared Harsha (the son of Kalasa), Raja. Surajmati burned herself with the body of her husband. Ananta’s treasures having fallen to Kalasa, Harsha wished to conciliate him; and though they once met and became reconciled, yet their friendship was soon broken, and differences continued between them until Harsha was imprisoned. The Raja afterwards fell sick, and wished to leave the throne to Harsha; but the nobles who had formerly opposed his son interfered, and the sick Raja willed that the kingdom should be given between his sons, Utkarsha and Harsha. The coin was called Paddka during this reign. Kalasa Deva ruled from 1081 to 1089 AD.

  • Obverse: Goddess Lakshmi seated facing, flanked by Nagari legend Ka la sha
  • Reverse: King standing sacrificing at altar, with Nagari legend Deva at right
  • Weight: 5.71gm
  • Dia: 18mm
Buy Kashmir Coins