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The internet is your friend Frank. You can search for examples of coins you are interested in to compare grades and prices, both on dealer sites and auction hosting sites such as CoinArchives numisbids or sixbid You can ask for advice, here or on other coin forums (though this is of course, the best!) And you can check out people's collections (like Paul's) for examples to use as a benchmark or to see differences in varieties. I've bought from as far afield as Australia, America, Spain and Manchester .. all from the comfort of my sofa. The people I've met have taught me all I know. You can even read learned journals (see the Half-crowns of 1848 under Miscellanea: http://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital BNJ/1958.shtml) Enjoy the ride! .

Welcome aboard, Frank! Rob's one of the go-to chaps on here, and a gentleman to-boot, a gentleman and a scholar!

Welcome to the forum Frank, there's not much to say that hasn't already been said but enjoy the back log of hundreds of great threads on here. There's a ton of info from some very astute and perspicacious members, I'm sure you'll have great fun.

Hi Frank, Welcome to the forum, you will soon learn, if you haven't already, that there are some very experienced people on here who are immensely generous with both their time and knowledge to help you out. Happy hunting. Ian..

You might also find it useful to browse on-line auction results and collections to get an idea of what's out there and prices realised. Here's a link to my own collection (under construction), which includes many halfcrowns and crowns you may be wanting to collect: https://pwcoins.wordpress.com/

Most dealers have an on-line presence (but still not all). It's always good to see a coin in hand before committing to buy. Rob Pearce (Rob on here) is a dealer I can thoroughly recommend in the Manchester area http://www.rpcoins.co.uk/ You will soon realise that eBay does not offer the high grade problem-free coins you will be after, except very occasionally ... and when it does they will not go for bargain prices! Worth a trawl if you can spare the time, and I still sell on there. Dealers, proper auctions and coin fairs for decent coin purchases.

Fine+ seems about right Frank, I don't think you were far off at all! This is an example where if you spent a little more you would get a much nicer coin, as they are common in high grade. You will not find it so easy with the young head Viccy halfcrowns! This is my old head example, which didn't break the bank (of course a lot depends on each individual's budget).Not the very best, and there are proofs too, but this is what I try and aim for, or better

That line isn't a problem, just a developed die flaw.

Hi Frank the Manc, a very warm welcome to the forum! A few comments from me We do like a laugh on here, but you will not be laughed at or sniggered at for making the odd, inevitable, dodgy newbie purchase! Congratulations on choosing pre-decimal, both the Forum and the coins! So you are thinking of concentrating on half crowns and crowns, will that be date runs (will be very expensive) or just different designs (I collect all the different designs (or 'types') for all silver denominations from Tudor to 1946)? How far back are you thinking of going? Just English coins? Knowledge is the key, gained from experience, forums like this, and books. You will want an up-to-date price guide such as COLLECTORS' COINS GB 2015 (available http://www.predecimal.com/collectors-coins-2015-p-21018.html ), or Spink's Coins of England, and a book on grading, such as The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins: Pre-decimal Issues (1797 to 1970) just to start with. There are many other specialised books for when you get more into things. It is always best to put pics up of both sides of the coin. From the reverse pic, your new purchase appears to be around Good Fine perhaps, and if the obverse is about the same then £16 is an ok price for it. Try and buy the best example you can afford, you will not regret it in the long run I'm sure there will be much more advice coming your way!

Welcome Frank. A pic of the other side (obverse) as well would help I think. The theoretical advice is generally.. (1) buy the book before you buy the coin. Yeah, right. (2) Learn to grade coins (because price is generally related to condition) (3) Buy the best you can afford. However we all make mistakes early on. You need to buy, examine close up and see coins "in the hand" as part of the learning process. The best thing is try to keep the mistakes on the cheaper side. Asking questions is good. And buying widely is fine. Most people end up specialising in some way, but there's no harm in getting to know about different denominations and metals. And you don't have to specialise. It's a way to keep the costs within budget, but your collection is yours and it's up to you if it all looks the same (quoting my Wife there!) or includes a bit of everything. As to your halfcrown, it's not really my area. However I'm a bit bemused by the extra line to left of St George above the 19 .. looks .. odd to me. But I'll leave it to others to give an opinion.

Welcome Frank, being relatively new myself I can tell you that you have done the right thing joining here. Two of the best bits of advice I have had from members here were buy the book before the coin and buy the highest grade you can, EF and up where budgets allow. I can recommend the books Chris publishes here as a great starting point for learning about grades and ball park figures on prices. Just check the shop on the main predecimal page.

Hope the piccies will help you sort out Victoria's halfpennies. The mint really did have problems with the hardness of bronze when they started using it in 1860. I have 35 different examples dated 1861 with various dies, re-entered letters,dates etc. This is the prize for everyone to look out for.............1875 Obverse 13* (Iain Dracott's designation). Found in 2005 and only 1 known at the moment. I bought it because it was a really nice example of reverse L, then found it was an unknown obverse Merry Christmas to everyone....................Mal