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Provenance (from the French provenance — origin, source) is the documented history of ownership of an art or collectible object. It traces the artifact's journey from its creation to its current owner.
Provenance (from the French provenance — origin, source) is the documented history of ownership of an art or collectible object. It traces the artifact's journey from its creation to its current owner.
This history can include the names of previous owners, participation in exhibitions, mentions in catalogs, auction records, receipts, and even old photographs. The more complete and well-known the provenance, the higher the value of the item.
A solid provenance is the main proof of authenticity and significantly reduces the risk of buying a fake. For a collector, it is not just a story but a guarantee of authenticity and investment appeal. Documents confirming provenance can include:
Patina is a thin film or coating that forms on the surface of objects made of metal (e.g., copper, bronze, silver) or stone as a result of natural oxidation or aging. It can have various shades — from greenish and bluish to dark brown.
In the world of collecting, patina is highly valued as it is evidence of the item's age and authenticity. It gives it a unique character, depth, and a 'noble age.' Attempting to clean an item 'to a shine' can destroy its historical value and significantly reduce its cost.
Experienced collectors distinguish between natural patina, formed over decades or centuries, and artificial patina, which is sometimes applied to imitate an antique look. The presence of a uniform and deep natural patina is an important criterion for appraising antiques.
| Term | Description | Purpose of Creation |
| Replica | An author's repetition of a work, created by the author or with their permission. Often has minor differences. | To reproduce a successful work, for circulation. |
| Copy | A reproduction of an original work by another artist. A copy does not hide its origin and is often marked as such. | For training, studying technique, or creating an affordable version of a famous work. |
| Fake (Forgery) | An imitation of an original item, created with the intent to pass it off as genuine for fraudulent sale. | Fraud, illicit gain. |
Novice collectors often confuse concepts that have fundamental legal and value significance. It is important to understand the difference between a replica, a copy, and a fake to avoid unpleasant surprises.
These terms describe items that imitate an original but with completely different purposes and legal statuses. Replicas and copies are legal reproductions, whereas a fake is created with the intent to deceive.
| Abbreviation | Full Term | Condition Description |
| UNC (Uncirculated) | Has not been in circulation | Perfect condition, no signs of wear, original mint luster is present. |
| XF (Extremely Fine) | Excellent | Minimal, barely noticeable traces of circulation on the highest points of the relief. Over 90% of details are preserved. |
| Proof | Enhanced quality | Not a grade of wear, but a special minting technology. Characterized by a mirror-like field and a frosted relief. Such coins are originally intended for collectors. |
Grading is the process of assessing and standardizing the condition of a collectible item, most often coins and banknotes. The assessment is carried out by independent expert companies that assign a specific grade to the item on an international scale.
After assessment, the item is placed in a special sealed holder—a slab—with its grade indicated, which protects it from damage and serves as a guarantee of authenticity and quality. This significantly simplifies trading and price formation in the collector's market.
There are many grading systems, but most of them use similar abbreviations to denote the degree of preservation. They are most common in numismatics.
