tubandpud

Seasons Greetings to everyone. Have a good Christmas & a Prosperous New Year. I'll catch up with you in 2005.

O.K. Chaps, Following on from 'Enquiries about Coins' (Ref: Train-spotting) If you don't go train spotting in your spare time (and don't sit at the computer watching E-Bay), what other hobbies or interests do each of you have ? Presuming you do take a break from coin collecting !!

JMD - You can now sit and imagine your Great (x6) Grandparents spending which coins on what ? Oli can do the same, (but I'm not sure which coins they would be ?)

Hi Guys, I do look in from time to time, but 'not knowing much, I can't say much'. I am still learning and picking up hints and tips from local coin shops (as well as yourselves). Hopefully popping into a fairly local (I imagine small) coin fair at the weekend - that would be my first, so should be interesting. I am still at the stage of thinking the local coin shops are Aladin's Cave !! Also been busy with the usual home & family things over Easter (school hols. for the grandchildren)

Whoops !! - Can't get used to it yet. Yes, 2300 cc. "Eleven Hundred Dragstar" used to roll off the tongue.

I will own up if nobody else does. Is anyone at all interested in collecting Euros ? They don't seem to get mentioned very much. I am collecting them purely because I go to Spain and Tenerife for my regular holidays and pick them out of my change. As I have only been collecting coins (all sorts) since last October, I could kick myself for not checking them over the past few years whilst on holiday. Any change I receive goes into a 'special' pocket and is checked at the end of the day against my 'wants' lists for each country. As they only go back as far as 1999, it isn't too difficult to find several new ones, and slot them in place. Like our decimal coins, though, I don't feel they have any 'character', hardly any history YET, but have some kind of future ?? !!

Who dared to imply coin collectors are boring ?? Like JMD, I too love to watch the wildlife in the garden. Most interesting was a Hawk killing and ripping a pigeon apart (well, vice/versa really!) And I don' have a big garden. I did the first obligatory lawn cutting yesterday (boring). As I live by the sea, I love going for walks along the coast (especially in the winter without tourists!) Also lovely countryside around here for long walks. Winter holidays to warm countries are another favourite. Also wintertime I like to do jigsaw puzzles, usually all over conservatory table, but since buying a computer last year, have installed a programme and create my own on screen from holiday photos, etc., can do several at a time that way and don't lose any pieces !! Since last October I started coin collecting and coin sorting has taken over the table! Summertime brings camping in England as often as possible, dependant on the weather and avoiding extra busy times (love camping / hate crowds!) , that means walking in other countryside. Then there is motorcycling .... Ah, riding for miles early mornings, mainly round country roads (GOOD WEATHER ONLY) Just for pleasure (not a 'Fizzy' !) on a cruiser. Still awaiting delivery of a new Triumph Rocket III. I don't wish to bore anyone here, but the largest mass production cruiser made (2.3 c.c.). The weather has arrived, chosen a numberplate, but no sign of the bike yet !! AND ...... My secret ambition is to join a Naturist Club !!! Just haven't got the nerve, plus it's far too cold in this country.

Back to the speed cameras - our local radio tell us in the morning where the police will be pointing their mobile cameras around the area - the only useful piece of info on the radio !!

Bit late - Happy 16th Oli. I'm late looking in today, so bet you are "knackered" by now ??!!

Well spotted Chris. It just shows, you never do know what you might find on E-Bay. Car boot sales are another unlikely place - if you know what you are looking at.

I couldn't agree more !!!

Yes, the Farthing had a Wren (bird) on the reverse from 1937. Previously, Brittania.

"One cannot be good at everything, can one ?!"

Wow, I wouldn't mind shopping where your dad goes ! I didn't realise that £5 coins were actually given in change. Has anyone else experienced receiving any before in their change ? No, not 2005 Trafalgar, but any other dates ? I have bought mine new, awaiting delivery to go with my 2005 Nelson coin. Just thought - perhaps, we ought to ask at ALL the tills, but I don't think we will get many ?? (just joking) - You are the lucky one Oli.

Hi Berg, Like the other chaps, I'll say welcome - you've found a very good forum. If you do get interested in collecting British Coins, you are in the right direction for answers to any questions you might have. Pre-decimal coinage was a little bit strange to 'newcomers' I am new to collecting and learning so much about the coinage I used for many years (being an older-aged member). There is so much to learn. Good luck.

Mark has described the ones I have. What I noticed was the gold painted one is a little bit heavier as well. A couple of £1 coins came into my hands looking fake, but as was mentioned, they just seemed very weak and worn, although not very old. I did give them a good study with my amatuer eyes !! These £l coins won't be around for many years at that rate, will they ?

When I first joined the forum at the end of last year, Sylvester put me straight about a fake £l. which I had. Since then I have looked more closely at ALL my change !!! Consequently have come across three other obvious fake £l's. Where do they all come from ?? Mine I have found are different year dates - very clever.

I agree with you Geordie. I have ten "odds", given to me by my sister AFTER I had been to the USA. I won't be going back for a long while yet, but the grandchildren are going at Easter. Guess what is on a list for them to look out for ?? By the way, my neighbour has them sent to him in sets of five, as they are distributed, from an American friend. Oh, to have friends ??!! They look beautiful in mint condition.

Looks good - can't say I've seen it advertised yet. Will keep an eye out, but will probably be a long time until we find them in our change !!

This Forum is something to cheer you up after being away through illness. Also good to catch up with interesting subjects after being away on holiday.

Thanks for asking, Unknown. I was wondering the same, but didn't like to query, as this is all new to me !

Car-boot is held at Ford (old aerodrome), West Sussex - every Saturday. My son saw myself and four others rummaging through the boxes on the floor - said it looked like we were praying to the Coin God (?)

Thanks for tips JMD. I've been to a car-boot sale today and came across a stall with loads (I mean - LOADS) of different coins. 50/50 English and Foreign. Better (type) coins on the table and three boxes on the ground. HEAVEN for someone like me just beginning and not too fussy about condition (I DO APPRECIATE WHAT EVERYONE SAYS ABOUT QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!). Most of what I have chosen are in what I call fair condition. Good detail and dates is all I need for my fun collection !! For about £20.00 I have 6 x half crowns (oldest 1817), l x florin, 2 x l shilling (1887 & 1896, 2 x 4d, l x penny 1799, 4 x half-penny 1738, 1806, 1827, 1933 & 4 x farthings 1822, 1826, 1876 & 1891. Well, I think it's been a good day and worth braving the cold. Guess where I am going next week ?? The chap on the stall said he is there every week and adds to his stock - gosh, I had better take more cash with me !!

Thanks for suggestions. Also thought of sticking them together to make an unusual door-stop !

Thanks Geordie, but NOOOOO - I couldn't - could I ??? You lot would be watching and I can guess what coments would be flying around !!!