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Good advice from @jelida and welcome to the forum. Another source of relatively cheap coins is local auctions. You can often buy box loads for only a few pounds. There probably won't be anything valuable in there, but it willl give you experience in sorting, identifying and grading coins. I find sorting through a large pile of coins strangely rewarding, even if there is little in there of much interest.

Our left-side brains are seduced by quantitative scales (such as Sheldon - the American system), as if they somehow represent greater certainty than qualitative grades (such as extra fine etc of the British system). This is a pure mirage, but a good one and it is what the PCGS and NGC make money from. A fine business model! In reality, all grading is qualitative - and all qualitative judgments are (to a degree) subjective and error prone. In my view, TPG provides a useful rule of thumb to purchase at a distance; no better nor worse than qualitative grading provided by a reputable auction house. Neither is a substitute for the expanded qualitative descriptions and exchange of observations as per the thread above. None of this is a substitute for the subjective feel of a coin in hand - preferably broken out of it’s slab with a hammer and victory dance.

I noticed this around 2 years ago, the upward climb of the better Edward’s. Every auction nowadays they seem to fetch a little more. I went at this one as an upgrade, thinking £250 inc. premiums would get me close? The sum of £412 truly staggered me if I’m honest! It’s a nice coin, of course, but rather annoying that I’ve missed the boat by a couple of years, much as I ultimately have done with Elizabeth.

I was looking for some references and knew they had a site, but this may be of interest to some. It is mainly pictures with bare descriptions so that is a bit limiting. Also, when I looked up the 1920 date (because the site would not take more info on the search section), I was looking for information on transitional patterns like the "duck-tailed milling" silver coins. I think I found them but they are not identified as patterns and had to mainly pick this out from the pictured details. Much of Bull could probably be updated from this and other pages, but wish a bit more ID had been done as they have some very rare coins that I have NEVER seen in commercial channels. There were some errors too (ie the incorrect ID of the 1926 Wood Pattern Reverse MODEL Half crown). Anyway, do have a look....

All three coins require basic conservation to optimise their potential, but all are nice detector finds. Individually, a dedicated numismatic auctioneer is unlikely to take them on. The tealby has an exceptional portrait, but is marred by the edge chip though it remains the most desirable. Dobunnic units in uncleaned condition may struggle to hit £50, I would see if it can be improved - most detecting clubs have someone who could advise, the aluminium foil/ alkali method often works well. If I had to sell, I would offer these for via Ebay or Facebook, set a reserve or price if you wish and see what happens. But as a long-standing detectorist myself I would say keep them, and find the upgrade money elsewhere - you will always regret selling your best finds. Jerry

Get yourself a copy of Coins of England as this gives the most comprehensive coverage from Celtic through to the modern day. It doesn't have to be the latest (2025) unless you want ballpark current prices. For id purposes, any copy from the last 15 years would be fine, but bear in mind they split the pre-decimal and decimal coins in 2015. Any copy 2014 or earlier has them combined. Go too early and the picture quality and quantity are somewhat lacking.

This is the correct link https://royalmintmuseum.collectionsindex.com/home

Best place? A coin fair every time, followed by a recognised dealer or auction house. EBay and Facebook are widely used but fraught with risk for a beginner, especially the latter due to the sheer number of fakes and misrepresentation. As you learn more about the subject you may be inclined to take greater risks on EBay - bargains can be had - but in general Caveat Emptor applies. Purchases via this forum are pretty safe if via a long-standing member, but only rarely offered. Jerry PS and welcome to the forum, sound advice (usually) freely offered here.

That coin has certainly seen some history! Difficult to be sure if it is a halfcrown or a Shilling without a scale. It is, however, definitely a Chester coin because of the C beneath the bust. Here from my collection is one of the 1689 Half Crown who referred to:

Yes they finally got this back on line. Still incomplete though so I'd keep my eyes on it.

Silver I presume, wt. 2.54g, the obverse appears to be a late 18th century George III bust or similar, with a trace of DEI GRA in front; the reverse with a central crown, S bottom right, legend ending in REX and possible date 40 or a symbol to the right of a final figure of date. Absolutely dire and fit for the bin, but it's bugging me. Ta.

You’re having a good root around the forum…as educational as any book on coins for sure!

George I 1719 Standard circulation coin Rarity index: 92 (0 being common 100 V Rare) Engraver: Johann Ochs Note: tie in hair with loop and 1 end Years 1716-1723 Extremely rare varieties with elephant and castle below head struck from gold mined in Guinea, now Ghana Auction sales price....to be advised. This much I've found out...... All the best "H"

The 1861 F23 proof was: Struck in January 1861 as part of an experiment to determine whether the weight standard of the new bronze coins should be altered in order to coin 40 instead of 48 pieces to the pound avoirdupois

Thanks Terry Maybe weak sea rather than missing, but I've not seen it on 1930 coins.(Can you "not see" what isn't there ??)

They should let each customer set up the dies and collar themselves, then we would see some combinations!

... and the very clear triangle mintmark on the Charles I sixpence dates it to 1639/1640, minted at the Tower under the king's control.

Portcullis mintmark on the Elizabeth sixpence…not the commonest of the Elizabeth 6d marks and a better grade 👍

This from the BBC website this morning. Interesting and very rare Viking penny from Athelstan II, formerly Guthrum, as King in East Anglia. Also discussion of the implementation of the new detectorist rules regarding items of National Significance. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg79e45341po Oh, and PS: For once the pictures of the coin are quite good!

Don't see many half-crowns mentioned so thought I'd post this rare Charles I one, recently won on ebay. Bull 482 / 30

Fist half decent coin fro a while, GOLDWINE on CA (Canterbury) i think its Richard I, seems to be on the point of change over into John, a more solid id would be welcome, thanks in advance, a very nice coin really, solid, bit of a wavy flan with some toning, came from some really soft sandy soil,

I feel foolish for only just realising this but of course, the question also comes down to what sort of collector we are. When I started I was I guess a 'completist'. I had a book with all varieties illustrated and I wanted to assemble a collection, like that. One example of each type/ variety. Hence I was prepared to accept this: A coin for which three examples are known. Now? I wouldn't bother. Because my focus has shifted. I realised that while I do get a slight thrill from owning one of the very few examples of a really rare coin, I get far more pleasure from better looking coins. And on my budget I can't afford to collect both, so there are some gaps that will remain until budget and opportunity come together. And if they don't? That no longer troubles me as much as it once did. I am happy to have a representative collection of the types, sometimes several, as hammered coins are never perfect and different examples can have different pleasing strengths.