When you look at a coin, you can exactly see what’s on it. If you can see, of course. If you can’t, you can feel certain details. Maybe a head, a number, an animal. For those who can’t see, much of this information is unavailable.
But even if you see what’s on a coin, there maybe things which you cannot identify if you do not have the understanding of a given country’s culture.
A coin has more than purchasing value to it. It represents the history, culture and the art of a country. My dream is to provide this information to people who can’t see it, and enhance the understanding for those who can see it, but are not necessarily familiar with what it means.
Let me give you a couple of examples.
A Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar can be described as” “profile of JFK”. Or, also as: John F. Kennedy in profile, facing to the left, with hair parted on the left-hand side. In large lettering around the top half of the coin is written “LIBERTY”, with the B, E, and R slightly obscured by Kennedy’s hair. In a straight line across the bottom quarter of the coin is written in small lettering “IN GOD WE TRUST”, with Kennedy’s neck separating IN GOD and WE TRUST. Along the bottom edge of the coin is written “1776-1976”.
Or, a Hungarian 100 Forint, can be described as: In the center, the Lajos Kossuth coin design,featuring Lajos Kossuth, Regent-President during the Hungarian Revolution, in right-facing profile. His short, wavy hair is brushed forward and parted on the right-hand side. He has a wide, curly mustache and a low, thick beard and sideburns.To his left is written “1802-1894” and to his right is written “KOSSUTH”. Below the border of this coin design is written in small lettering the year, with a bullet point on either side. Starting to the left of this and forming a ring around the outside of the coin is written “MAGYAR KŐZTÁRSASÁG”. There is a ring of small dots forming a border around the coin.
These descriptions are more vivid, interesting and educational.
You can find some more descriptions here.
For years now, I’ve been collecting descriptions of coins, mostly the ones which I have in my collection. But I would like to take this project further, and have the coins of the world described. Ok, much of it at least.
I am very curious if other people think that such a project has value. In particular, I wonder if other blind people would find it a useful project and would read these descriptions if I made it available for free. Also, I’d be curious if such a thing would be interesting for those who can see.
I am working on a plan to make it possible. But before I get further into it, I would like to ask your opinion. What do you think? Is it a good idea? Is it indifferent? Would you be interested in the coins of your own country, or would you like to read about coins of any other countries? If I could get a large number opinions, it would greatly help me shape this project to something that would be of interest to many people.
Please leave your thoughts below in the comment section. If you would like to hear more about this project, follow the developments on facebook or on Twitter.
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Hi Tom,
I think it's a fantastic idea! Actually an interesting point about those two coins particularly with relation to the whole cultural description aspect - one represents the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man pictured on it, while the other is the 200th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the country it is from. Looking at the two coins there's actually no way of determining that without some form of description or prior knowledge. A full understanding of the coin design definitely does come back to an understanding of the culture of countries to understand who Kennedy is, given that he is neither the subject of the 200th anniversary of his coin, as on the Forint, nor the current leader of the country, as say a British pound would depict. Taking that one step further even the font used (the overlapping 100 on the reverse is quite visually distinctive) can be symbolic, as can the way the subject is facing (as again on say the British pound) - things which may not be significant on every coin (and I don't know if they are on either of these), but which can certainly aid an understanding of both the coin, and the country and time period it is from.
Thank you for the feedback Quentin. Interesting points, it helps me feel more strongly about the fact that detailed descriptions could help other collectors, not only the visually impaired.
Hi Tom,
Very neat and interesting idea! I definitely think it has value, especially for coin collectors. From my personal perspective, I would find it particularly interesting as a means for learning more about coins (even rare or unique) from the US, which I could then take and pass on to my two young daughters.
Really cool!
Erich
Erich, there is so much to learn about coins. Sometimes it feels that everything has been written already that there is to write, but maybe we have a new approach here that can add a unique aspect.
Hi my Friend, Tom,
When I was a kid, I thought it is just a fun and a kind of interest to collect coins of different countries. As for me, just one thing mattered: Do I have more coins or less than you have?
Now on, as you has described, a coin represents a lot of things about a country. When I visit a virtual or a real collection of coins, I need as many information as just possible
about the specific coins I hold in my hands or I am reading about.
I'm strongly thinking about the fact what if We made a multilingual site of your initiative. My reason is: this great deal is about many cultures, famous national leaders, very useful historical facts and data. It would be great for international visitors to read these info on their own native languages.
Of course, maybe this idea can be realized at a later time, when you think there is enough info on the site, and you can provide enough info to sustain the attendance of your page.
Anyway, if you think it is time to jump into this, I can definitely help with translating all the materials to Hungarian if you need it.
What I can offer is that
Janos, thanks for writing. Yes, I remember we were showing off our collections to each other as kids. Good old days. With the multilingual site, you raise a very interesting point. I think in world coin collecting, languages can be more useful than ever. Without an exception, I have used all the languages I understand to enhance my knowledge about coins. I often find myself not being able to obtain information because it is not available in a language I can understand. In a way, I wish coin collecting would have its own language just like medicine, but it would keep many people away from the hobby.
Currently I'm looking into the best way to post the descriptions, what I have now is ok, but a more robust solution could make data entry easier, so I will add the ability of translation into the mix. Thank you for offering to translate to Hungarian, I may take you up on that:-)
Great initiative, Tom! Crowd-source it and it will fly. Let me know how I can support you. Sandor
Thank you Sandor. Exactly. This cannot be done by one person, not even by a handful. Given that you understand crowd-sourcing and how it could benefit an initiative, I think the biggest help I can get at the moment is spreading the word.
Hi Tom,
I think this is a wonderful idea! I believe it would greatly enhance the experience of coin collection for persons with visual impairmentsare or who blind. Good luck with your project!
Thank you Lila. I haven't done much research on it, but it appears to me that coin collecting is not necessarily an obvious hobby for visually impaired people. Maybe we can spark the interest with more resources.
I think this is a great idea. Honestly, when you're a collector, often it really helps to have precise details, descriptions about a coin, to be able to identify it, even if one can see. Of course, the description becomes more interesting, when adding those "fine details" to it. I think this project helps improve imagination both for people who can't and can see
Great project, really!
Thank you Sandor. Originally I thought this to be a resource for visually impaired people. The more I talk with collectors, the more I find out that there are additional ways people could benefit. Isn't this the whole idea in so many things in life? What is necessary for one, can be beneficial for others.
yes, a great idea. I have a collection of old coins pre decimal from the UK which were given to me. it would be great to get pre decimal UK coins described if possible.
Hi Tom. While I have never been much into coins, I think they may represent a part of history that we, blind people, have not had an access to. So, I would absolutely welcome such an initiative. Perhaps worth an indi-go-go campaign? Thanks for doing this for the community.