On Slant of Light, Ravleen Kaur, a college student in Oregon, reflects about her father’s passion for collecting coins, particularly those struck during the era of Sikh rule in Punjab, India, and other historic relics:

“You know, you know, legend goes,” Papa says, his cheekbones rising and nostrils flaring as they do when he shares oddball knowledge and fun facts, “that when the Sikhs took power in Punjab, they sometimes stamped their seal over old coins instead of minting new ones.” He peers closely through his thin spectacles at the clean, insect-sized stamp smack-dab in the middle of the design.

“That’s an old coin,” I say.

The article is a well-written and intriguing read, bringing to mind the relics of history that lay guarded in private collections, and the wonder stirred by these rare antiquities. Such coins have an intrinsic value more than their stated currency.

Read more here.