[Fluorescence]

> that give one a good excuse to study history, economics, art, metallurgy

Not sharing this as a serious alternative, just sharing this as something nerdy and cool. It's a little more involved than coin collecting lol... but this guy making his own Carnyx (Celtic war horn) ticks many of those boxes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTFIDAbDtY

A Carnyx being played:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRIQp4qZrrE

Engaging with history in very practical ways like this is very cool. I'd love to make my own Round House one day.

[gilleain]

I have a friend that makes medieval lutes. He even reproduced one from Skyrim - it sounded bad, apparently, as it was designed to look good, not sound good.

More of a business than a hobby, but still.

[vwcx]

Wow, down the rabbithole I go. Thanks for sharing (especially that second link). Always good to get a dose of awe first thing on a Friday.