Jewellery, old coins and vintage watches are just some of the items collector and antiques dealer, Robin Levinson, will be looking to buy when he visits Wyong later this month.
The travelling collector will set up shop at Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort from February 19-26, with locals encouraged to make the most of the opportunity to turn unwanted heirlooms into cold hard cash.
A passion for history and preserving the past has seen Levinson travel the world over in pursuit of antiques and collectibles, and if there’s one thing he’s learned through his five decades in the game, it’s that you never know where these timeless treasures will turn up.
Having seen everything from 2000 year old Roman coins to Royal Doulton china pulled out of grandma’s cupboard, the attic and storage units, Levinson said he takes great pride in helping salvage genuine historical artifacts by purchasing them and then passing them on to museums or other collectors to preserve.
According to Levinson, appreciation for collecting was at an all-time low, with younger generations more inclined to send their family’s worldly goods to the tip than to storage, prompting the collector and dealer to regularly travel around Australia in the hopes of saving bona fide relics from the scrap heap.
And with his visit to the Coast nigh, Levinson said all residents were welcome to stop by Kooindah Waters to get any unwanted pieces appraised.
Of particular interest to Levinson are medals and other militaria souvenirs which he said are valued highly by museums and collectors alike.
“Central Coast residents are welcome to sort out their old treasures and bring them along to sell.
“Medals and militaria souvenirs are required for preservation by public and private collections and museums.
“Our Diggers went through too much to have their memories consigned to a skip.
“Australian WW1 medals, uniforms and slouch hats are particularly sought after,” Levinson said.
“Antique and vintage watches are also welcomed, with many watchmakers able to utilise unwanted pieces as spare parts for repairs of sentimental heirlooms and other historical pieces.”
Levinson said he’d also pay top dollar for coins, bank notes and jewellery, provided he was certain of their authenticity.
“Pre-decimal Australian silver coins were generally melted down for the intrinsic silver value, but some dates are required by the shrinking coin collector fraternity to complete sets.
“Antique and estate jewellery will always be required by many ladies attracted by the workmanship, style and coloured gemstones of times gone by, although most of the younger generation seem to prefer cheaply made throw away pieces.”
Levinson is also keen to hear from anyone who thinks they might have pieces related to some of Australia’s earlier military history.
“Personally, I love all items relating to The Boer War, South Africa 1900-1902.
“Each Australian State sent Contingents of Mounted Troops to fight against the Boers.
“Also, items relating to China War in 1900 and Egypt, when NSW sent 1000 soldiers to join Kitchener in the retaking of Khartoum and avenge General Gordon’s death,” Levinson said.
Levinson will be available from 10am to 3pm daily during his stay at Wyong.
Dilon Luke