Coinery

I obviously have my own areas of loyal interest, but just thought of an idea for myself and, of course, others who struggle with the big question 'where to start' with collecting! One of the issues I've noted with newcomer questions, time and time again, is that of what to collect? 'Do I collect bronze, copper, silver, pennies, crowns, etc.?' Well, I've an idea, founded upon the other great collection struggle, that of having a decent collection quickly, which I'm sure is part of the reason we all end up with a useless pile of bullion once we settle into quality collecting! OK, so here's my strategy, and recommendation for those who are unsure where to start! Collect denomination year sets, and learn all about Bronze, Copper, Silver, CuNi, Gold even, and discover varieties, errors, so on, etc, etc,! As an example, I thought I'd snaffle an easy 1901 set off eBay, which started with a very cheap UNC penny, followed by a bargain 6D! The HC, HP, Farthing, and shilling, happened over a couple of months, with maybe a little bit of reselling to get these right! However, I now concede that I have watched quite some time for a 'right-priced' florin and the gold, and happily accept I will have to visit auctions or dealers to acquire these in top grades which, incidentally, is also part of the fun! Now, I presently don't have the resources to pursue the rest of my 1901 set, but I do have a small amount with which to watch eBay and snaffle the occasional pretty thing 321275869721 and start the whole process over again! So over the next few months I'll be keeping an eye on 1886, looking for a steal, and will inevitably stumble upon the denominations of that year that I'll have to seek out again at the dealers, fairs, or auctions! It keeps the fires burning, and keeps the grey matter and reading going forth! It excites me to snaffle some cheap things and begin another set of something, whilst I can't afford the harder pieces! Key point is, it's a manageable way of finding out what you like, and encourages visits to all the main collection resources! For me personally I quite like it all...so a copper, big silver, little silver, and piece of gold offends me not in the least! Happy daze!

Ah, goan, then, I'm feeling festive today...so, a big SEASON'S GREETING to you all, I've really enjoyed carrying this forum around with me, it's provided great wisdom and considerable pleasure!Hope you all have a great week...cheers!

1901 for bronze; 1893 for most denominations including crowns, or 1901 for smaller silver. I'm on it! Cheers, Peck!

I was waiting! Edit: I do like farthings, of course, just received these, which I bought for the '33 111238774881

That still doesn't answer the grade issue, why they weren't worn out at the time?

Cheers, Azda! I've got a real thing for the OH coins at the moment! I'd like to 'gather' the entire denomination set! The Crowns' will be financially interesting! However, I can still keep a slow interest with the cheaper denominations. Poor old farthings and Maundy here we come!

Thanks VS, appreciate your opinion on it!

Yes, as I believe this forum is big enough to fair pretty well in a 1917 Sovereign search! Imagine being the purchaser, or future purchaser, of that coin and stumbling upon this thread?Research is king, and this forum has significantly added to the 1917 Sovereign pot!

I do think the quality to be above the usual offerings seen on eBay...a number of which could be described as having collectors tone! Whilst I have a better Liz martlet groat, I thought the price of the one offered was really good value. I've sold lesser E1 groats on .99p starts that have made more! So what about that HC, only Rob has commented? Edit: and VS of course...grade anyone? AU?

Just a trace of rub on the bottom half of the reverse to my eyes.Thanks, Rob!

Cheers, Paulus...there's a fair bit in there you'd like I reckon!

Can I ask opinions! I really like this coin 151075231699 The seller says it's darker still than the images! Do you think AU with old highspots overtoned, or genuine UNC? I'm looking particularly at the reverse St George, harp breasts, ribbons, etc. and thinking AU??? What say you? Worth looking at 'other items' too!

Your inbox is full, Clive!

In the presence of specialist publications I view Spink's and Chris's book predominantly as a price guide! Which means, at least for me, that popularly collected varieties, especially higher value/rarer and significant 'types' would do well to be included! I accept that a 1599 Anchor Sixpence of E1 will not be separated out far beyond an issue type, on account there are not a large number of collectors collating E1 date runs, but I can see how the 19th & 20th C bronze collectors (as an example) would benefit!

For me, provenance is history, much like a family tree! With a nice hammered coin I wonder and dream about who'd handled it, which market and tavern it may have passed through, etc. To trace the coin back through the last 150 years or so is also pretty good for the historical juices! I'll take them with OR without though I have to say!

Email sent, John!

Nice!

Should also say, you seemed to know a little bit yourself so, yes, welcome aboard! Do you collect?

Cheers, Clive, saw this one, but a bit too modern 'pewtery' to even compare it to a known die!I've been really unlucky with fakes/counterfeits recently! The last few I've bought, hoping them to be cont. c'feits, have been genuine! Would you believe it? Edit: most recent example... 251393090378 I did get that home-made punch Mary coin though!

True, but Saxby's has turned up time and time again for p*ss takes!

And so as not to further confuse issues, a number of the responses on here, have come from UK respected dealers!I'd say no to this one Angela, unless you wished to pursue the CGS Coin Grading suggestion! There are a number of people on here who would pay the multiples of thousand pounds this coin would be worth if genuine! If you've been privately messaged by any individual on this forum, making you a multiple £1000 offer, I'd quickly take it! It got our hearts ticking for a bit! Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

I'd love nothing more than this piece be genuine, but it's so suspiciously like the Ashmore punches, that I'm struggling to move on from that! I think your best bet is CGS for a grading, as Peter has suggested! You could try London Coin Auction, they'd sell it for you!

You might want to take a look at the ashmore castle and S punches here!http://www.tokensociety.org.uk/topics/counterfeits.shtml

Half a sixpence, is better than 'arf a penny... 161173535356 It needs a bit of a clean, apparently, and don't bother making a BIN offer, thank-you! You may consider offering a BIN however!

Hi Angela, does your grandad have any provenance or records to go with this coin? Also, some better pictures would be good! Does it have any ghosting of the design on the reverse?