Moore Street’s M.G.V Hobby Shop preserves history with its collection of antique coins, cameras, and more
Arunima Jha
Chennai: “Each item in my shop tells a story of its own,” says 44-year-old Vijay Kumar, who is the owner of the antique shop ‘M.G.V Hobby Shop’ located in Moore Street, George Town, Chennai.
M.G.V Hobby Shop has been a haven for collectors and nostalgia seekers. With an array of items ranging from old coins, vintage cameras, old jewellery, wooden antiques, pens, old notes of the British India era, antique clocks, telephones, radios, typewriters and other art-related, this shop offers a plethora of treasures waiting to be discovered for the last two decades.
A picture of Vijay Kumar who is the owner of M.G.V Hobby Shop. Photo Credit: Arunima Jha
“We have been selling old coins for nearly 15-20 years. You can even get 1000-year-old coins here,” says Kumar.
What sets M.G.V Hobby Shop apart is its dedication to customer satisfaction. “Some customers request specific antique items. Now we have started taking customer orders too. We send special orders by post to any part of India now,” says Kumar. Whether it’s a rare coin or a cherished family heirloom, the shop ensures that every treasure finds its rightful home, even if it means traversing the length and breadth of the country through postal services.
An inside glimpse of the shop. Photo Credit: Arunima Jha
But M.G.V Hobby Shop isn’t just a place to browse through dusty artefacts; it’s a haven for personalised nostalgia. “People come here to buy items their parents used to like when they were younger,” he adds, emphasising the sentimental value attached to each purchase.
For those with a keen interest in Tamil culture, the shop boasts coins from the illustrious Pandya and Chola Kingdoms, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage. “People who are interested in history generally come here. They visit the market, browse, ask about the items, and buy them if they like them,” says Kumar.
Visitors to M.G.V Hobby Shop attest to its allure, describing it as a paradise for antique enthusiasts and collectors alike. “I have been visiting this shop for the last seven years and have bought a lot of antiques from this shop. The first thing I bought from the shop was a grandmother clock, around seven years back. It’s still in good condition,” says Meena Selva, a 52-year-old homemaker and antiques enthusiast.
Similarly, 23-year-old Palani Kumar who is a young numismatist, shares his passion for coin collecting, having gathered an impressive collection of 800 coins, with a significant portion of 200 coins sourced from M.G.V Hobby Shop.
A portrait of Palani Kumar while visiting the shop. Photo Credit: Arunima Jha
“I have been visiting this shop for the last two years. I am interested in collecting coins. Since childhood, I have been collecting different coins. I come to this shop frequently and spend around three hours,” says Palani Kumar.
A picture of coins available in the M.G.V Hobby Shop. Photo Credit: Arunima Jha
However, Vijay Kumar laments the prevalent trend of discarding old possessions, “Some people dispose of their antiquities without realising their value. It’s very disheartening for people like us who are ready to pay the correct price and also for antique collectors who are looking for more items to collect,” he says.
“People who have old coins and don’t want them anymore sell them to us and we give them the exact value for them,” he adds. Nevertheless, Vijay Kumar remains optimistic about the enduring allure of antiques. “The trend of antiquities won’t fade anytime soon,” he asserts confidently.
