TomGoodheart

Well I would say that, if it were not for new material coming on the market, then the hobby would be in the situation it is in the US, where collecting largely centres on modern coins (of the last 100 years or so) with more emphasis on new varieties, colour and condition of coins. People like myself would be stuck because of the breaking up of the last great collections in the 1950s. Any gaps in the collection and it'd be a matter of waiting until the remaining Lingford, Brooker or Lockett coin comes back on the market or tracking down the owner and make a private deal. And someone like me has neither the money nor influence to pull off something like that! Yes, every now and then a bit of farming or land development would turn up a hoard but that wouldn't be a drop in the ocean compared with the current market. And single coins like the Coenwulf gold penny? Forget it! Of course, being a non-detectorist, I was under the impression everything was registered with the PAS. I think I thought 'legal obligation' meant 'recording'. I guess I am now wiser on that count! .

I'm not quite sure what's going on here. Is there a problem with discussing detecting? I can't add anything about the price of "Porcupine" sceattas; not my area. However it makes sense that a greater supply of an item will affect prices. I understand that the price of one of the coins I bought from the Prestbury hoard is lower in the latest Spink (haven't bought a copy yet myself!) than it was. This is not surprising though, since there were four known and now there's six! Quite frankly, I'm happy with new coins coming on the market, providing the find details are recorded properly. It makes more material available to collectors and adds to our knowledge, both with the appearance of previously unknown varieties and with find location. As many of you will know, the Victorians et al were mostly uninterested in where a coin was found and much valuable historical information was lost. It's only with more recent finds that people can start piecing together ideas about different mints/moneyers and information about the people of the time themselves, for example, how much they may have travelled. And as for smithers and Jerry Morris, either explain what you're talking about in reasonable terms or keep it off the forum please. Ah! OK, Paul. The link worked so now I understand. I guess my point about 'properly recorded' stands.

I agree a cabinet is nicest. I like being able to arrange the coins and see related varieties at a glance. I too went for a wooden one a while back and am very pleased with it. The only thing I don't like is those empty spaces! Gonna have to do something about those I think!

Vive la difference! Sounds like a great idea to me. We will have Burgundy and France can have Burnley (!).

Yup. The internet sure is wonderful! Glad you found out some more Chris!

For anyone that hasn't seen it here is the link to Jeff Cope's 'Petition Crown' website. Though it's a bit small, here's a pic of the edge engraving. When you consider it's on a coin the size of a £5 coin it's pretty impressive I think! I've reversed the colours for clarity - you can see the original on the site.

Sorry, must have missed this Chris. Un Decime is 10 Centimes, 1/10 French Franc. The legend on the back reads L'An 5. I haven't researched this but perhaps it's a revolutionary dating, since the link gives the date as 1796/97 which ties in with the National Constituent Assembly (1789-1791). Hope that gets you started! Richard

Yes. Despite complaining, if I find a new design in my change I always quite readily squirrel it away. Plus any counterfeit £1s and the usual Manx, Gibraltar etc coins you occasionally find. But as you say Geordie, it is an aside! Been a few years since I found a Chas I shilling in my change. (Oops, showing my age! )

Yes. Having just seen the new designs for the £5, £2, £1 and 50p coins I think we're well on the way to pseudocurrency already!! Not long before we will see different 20ps, etc every blooming year as well!?

Looks a wee bit like Falconer's work, doesn't it?

Yes! I can see the design is really the sword coming out of the stone now!

Ah! I'm still working on that one Geordie (though slowly!) I'm still assuming earlier than the 1300s but....!

Hmm... I'd say nVF would be fair for a regular coin, but for this issue which tends to be a bit naff and scarce in such condition I think I could be persuaded to go higher. Whether it's EF or not, I suspect Colin Cook wouldn't have turned up his nose at this one and it may well be as good as you'd get!

Yes. The crispness of the lettering and their being the right way round does support a trial strike. And very interesting it is too!

See this link for the legend: MONETA LODOVICI / REGIS HUNGARI So it's a Hungarian coin of Louis I 1342-1382 AD., Saracen's head / Double barred cross . Thanks for the challenge!

Leichstenstein apparently. Though what it is, other than possibly an impression of the obverse of a coin, I dunno! (I meant reverse obviously!)

Oh, and as for storage, I'd recommend a tray system at first with a variety of different sized holes, from crown size (around 45mm) down. (By the time you buy your first silver Pound coin you'll be looking at something fancier in terms of storage, so I'd say so don't worry these won't fit yet!) See Chris' main Predecimal bit for storage ideas. Remember hammered coins are rarely exactly round so don't bother with dozens of exact sized holes cos they won't all fit! Like this one that's practically square! You'll also need to record information about your purchases. Although it's a bit redundant with computer records etc I still like to use a circular paper 'ticket' with each coin as it's traditional and nice for any future purchaser as it's part of the history of the coin. While you can buy these, I have so few coins I just cut them out myself! Lingford Collection (1891-1950) (Blue Ink) and ex Thomas Bearman tickets from Antony Wilson's York Coins site.

Hi deelcee. Welcome! I think Rob has put in a lot of the info I was going to offer, particularly the Brooker book - I borrowed it from the local library before buying my own copy and I'd recommend this. Charles I coins are generally cheaper than James or Chas II because they were issued and circulated in larger numbers. I collect Chas I (Tower mint rather than 'provincial' issues) shillings and would be happy to answer any questions you might have about this area. The coins I have pictured in the gallery cost me from £30 to a few hundred. Your budget should therefore be quite adequate for this type of thing, although as Rob mentioned, (silver) crowns are pricier and gold more so. My only 'words of wisdom' are, firstly chose coins you like to collect and secondly, take your time! There is a great temptation (which I didn't resist!) to spend, spend, spend at first. So many coins!! After a while however you start to get an idea of the grade ('quality') of a coin. I certainly recommend buying better condition coins because I find you get more pleasure from them (plus the identifying qualities are all there!). I have several what I thought were scarce coins in low grade I paid over the odds for in a fit of enthusiasm to regret it later! The more different denominations of coins you collect the less the minor variations will matter (at least at first!). If you can resist the temptation to 'fill gaps' too early, a study of the main dealers websites willl give you an idea of what's available. Feel free to pm me and I'll send you a few recomendations of dealers I have bought from and have a reasonable selection if you like. And welcome again to the coin collecting fraternity!

AArgh! Elite! I remember playing until 3am one Christmas, then when I tried going to sleep at last I couldn't because all I could see was those bloody starfields burnt into my retinas! Happy days!

Unobtainable because he's got 'em all! (Just jealous Jeff!)

Smart!

Hi Jeff. Well, on the basis of the few examples I've seen, I for one would be quite happy to see more of your collection available for wider inspection. Details of previous owners and history would I am sure be interesting too! Give us all something to aim for!

Yes, Happy New Year everyone!

Sorry about the delay replying. I've been occupied somehow!! The dealers I mentioned were just those I have bought from and found trustworthy and reliable josie. I think that a guarantee from CGS is no more (or hopefully less) useful than one from one of the aforementioned dealers. All will no doubt buy back a coin for what you paid, minus expenses. But I think if I told say Chris 'I bought such and such a coin from Roddy Richardson' that would give him an idea about the coin (and price!). CGS has still to establish any reputation so there's a risk that you can only get back close to what you paid from them. It reminds me of the old days when I used to dabble on the stock market. There was also an 'unlisted securities market'. The shares there could perform remarkably well. But selling them again could be nigh impossible! Happy New Year all!! And good luck with the collecting!

From the editorial of Coin News: Any collector who buys a CGS encapsulated coin will know he has exactly what is described, no ifs, no buts, the coin will be what CGS says it is – if it isn’t he will get full market value for it from them. Now many will say that dealers offer that service anyway, that if you buy a coin from a reputable dealer and it isn’t what they say it is then they will give you your money back. Well yes, up to a point, but one of the biggest issues in recent years has been that of grading – what one dealer says is EF another might only grade as VF+ or even VF and that can mean a vast difference in the price and no real come back as it’s a very subjective issue with the original dealer arguing vehemently that the coin he sold was exactly what he said it was whilst the other argues just as hard that it isn’t – such arguments are not uncommon and the issue of grading is often one that sees heated exchanges in the trade!. CGS are endeavouring to make it less subjective and are prepared to put their money where their magnifying glass is by guaranteeing their grading, backed up with cold hard cash should they prove to be wrong. Yes. But will Mark Rasmussen, Antony Wilson, Stephen Mitchell, Lloyd Roberts, Michael Gouby, Chris Perkins, Andy Bruce or Mike Vosper (to name but a few) agree that CGS' EF is EF or not? That remains to be seen. And what pray is CGS 'full market value' and who decides this? (Not convinced yet, I'm afraid...)