Time for a proper hello

[Stuntman 264]

Hello!

I've been lurking here since January but only just started posting. I'm so impressed by the knowledge and passion here!

I'm Dan and I live in Cheltenham. I was interested in coins as a youngster which probably stemmed from being given a silver jubilee crown when I was at primary school. Elderly family relatives then gave me their pre-decimal coins that they had kept (mostly bog standard bits and bobs that they had just kept from change as curiosities, nothing particularly rare or in particularly good condition) and I would then spend my pocket money from time to time in a coin shop in Bristol, mostly on pre-1920 shillings in about F grade if I was lucky.

My parents bought me 3 coins during this time as birthday and Christmas presents (a cartwheel twopence in GVF to NEF, an 1838 three-halfpence which is about EF and an 1889 double florin in GF) which were the absolute highlight of my collection then.

My interest then lay relatively dormant apart from the odd commemorative crown or Royal Mint pack for about 25 years. I then won a sovereign as first prize in a 10k race. I was so pleased with this that I did the same race for the next 3 years and successfully won 3 more! There was also another 10k race with the same sponsor, but this was much harder to win and I only managed it once in 4 attempts. So I have two 2005 sovereigns...

Roll forward another 5 years or so and the Olympic 50ps piqued my interest. I managed to find 25 of the 29 in change and then I bought the Royal mint set with the folder and completer medallion. This then led me towards the 2013 and 2014 £20 silver coins, and the commemorative coin proof sets (I know, I know... but I like most of the coin designs especially the £2s).

At this point I then decided that I'd rather spend any further money on coins by acquiring some proper predecimal coins. I dusted off my old schoolboy collection, and while it still gave me a lot of pleasure I was slightly dismayed by the quality of it, with most of it being in the Fair to VF range. Plenty of scope for upgrading and adding different denominations or types.

So then onwards to the slippery slope of the online coin dealers! Wow, what lovely coins there are out there, and this is how I came across this site and its fantastic forum. I bought a small number of coins from here in January, although since then have bought mainly from other dealers who seem to have more stock and a more regular flow of new items. I do still check here regularly though...

I now wanted to acquire a decent-ish example of a coin in every circulating denomination and also a decent-ish example of every obverse design of each monarch's head (if that makes sense). By decent-ish I mean GVF and above, ideally GEF if I could afford it.

So these last 9 months have been a lot of fun trying to find nice examples of different coins with good visual appeal for reasonable money at dealer prices. Given that I'm collecting for pleasure rather than investment, I've probably overpaid on a few occasions but overall I'm very pleased with what I've found and now have what to me at least is an interesting little collection!

I'm not sure where I'll go next: I do still like shillings and might upgrade a few more, or go back in time a bit further (earliest I have is a William III 1700 plain in angles). Equally, I think halfcrowns are particularly lovely coins and I might go back further on these (earliest I have is an 1885 YH Victoria).

Anyway - hello! And thanks for reading.

[TomGoodheart 402]

Welcome Dan! Sounds like a good start.

However, a small warning. I started collecting shillings with the aim of having an example of each major bust design and the main reverses but realised how deep my pockets would have to be if I wanted to go back to the Stuarts and the first (hammered) issues.

I then got sidelined by the shillings of Charles I (I sold all the milled coins to Chris Perkins to finance them) and am still stuck here!

So enjoy the journey, but don't be surprised if you end up with a slightly different collection from the one you first envisaged!

[Rob 3,152]

Just collect what appeals. Your taste will change over time. The resulting dilemma about what to keep and what to get rid of is only a variation on the angst created when you decide to collect a series, but then find that you can't afford to finish this either. Unless you choose a narrow field, one way or the other you will probably hit a brick wall. Happy collecting.

[Stuntman 264]

Cheers - and yes, I agree entirely regarding the shillings. I've enjoyed looking at the pictures of some of the hammered coins you've put up.

The most I've spent on a shilling is comfortably under £100 so yes, going back any further than what I've currently got would require a deep breath! I thought about the 1693 W&M shilling up that was up at £175 on Colin Cooke's website until very recently (now gone) but will bide my time and save up for something slightly better.

Currently I think halfpennies represent good value from an initial purchase price viewpoint (and I appreciate that they probably don't have the same 'value' from an investment viewpoint unless there is a sea-change in their popularity) so who knows, perhaps I might end up with a few more of those, especially the copper ones of 1799-1859.

[Nonmortuus 900]

I only recently started collecting Dan but am finding the hobby a real pleasure. I am trying to focus on Halfcrowns but as you saw on my penny post I keep getting distracted The people here are in the main helpful, everyone I have spoken directly to has been happy to reply, comment and offer advice.

[Nordle11 564]

Welcome, at least to posting anyway!

Nice story too, looks like you've always had it in you to collect coins so you've ended up where you belong

[Stuntman 264]

Cheer chaps.

I've probably always had the collecting gene, it just surfaces in different places from time to time (the house is fairly full of car magazines, the walls have quite a lot of paintings on them, and some of the furniture has sculptures on the top of it.)

I can stop, honest... ​

[Nutsaboutcoins 105]

Welcome.

Stop collecting is easy, I've done it thousands of times

[Peter 615]

Welcome Dan

I would suggest a trip to the Midland coin fair (NEC motor bike museum 2nd Sunday every month)

You will get blisters on your tongue .

Edited October 2, 2015 by Peter

[Stuntman 264]

Thanks gents.

I might well get myself up to the Midland coin fair at some point.

[Peter 615]

whiskey

My taste is still for Jamesons...that hits the mark although I'm only allowed a bottle on my birthday,Xmas and on holiday when I also have a few Cuban cigars.

The rest of the year is fairly dry.

[azda 979]

And a welcome Dan from me. Halfpennies As you say Are a little undervalued and you can pick up some nice Victoria bun heads in high grade for £100. As always though, feel free to ask a question If you Are unsure about a purchase or otherwise, just don't overstretch yourself buying a coin.

Happy collecting

[TomGoodheart 402]

Midland coin fair (NEC motor bike museum 2nd Sunday every month)

Always when I'm working.. Stupid rotas ..

And yes, halfpennies are good. Nice coins.

Not like shillings. Especially hammered Charles I shillings. Nobody wants those, so I'd steer well clear of them myself.

I have three on eBay right now and each for well under a £grand and not a bite. Like I say, totally unwanted series, best avoided...

.

Edited October 2, 2015 by TomGoodheart

[bhx7 222]

Hi Dan,

Welcome to the Forum. I only recently came back to the hobby as well, very similar story, without all the running!!!! I have found this group a fantastic place to learn with brilliant people willing to help and advise.

Also had members who have helped me out with coins, they know who they are and I am very grateful. I had been looking for somehwere I felt comfortable and was able to talk about my hobby with like minded friendly people and found it right here. So pleased I joined the forum. I have been inspired by the fantastic coins and collection's and have managed to find my niche, although if something else comes up I like the look of and can afford I still get them.

Enjoy and hope to talking to you on the forums.

Regards

Brian

[Stuntman 264]

Thanks chaps, it's all good to hear. I agree about the fantastic coins in many of your collections.

I'm trying to keep my spend reasonably modest at the moment while I'm still learning. I tend to weigh up the eye appeal versus the price and make a decision accordingly and have found that a pleasing-to-me GVF (as graded by the relevant dealer) is often the sweet spot. That said, I have pushed the boat out once or twice for uncommon or just plain nice pieces. The most 'serious' coin that I how have is a 1930 wreath crown graded EF by the dealer, which I think is lovely.

Peter - I've usually got a few single malts from Scotland on the go, with occasional forays into other countries such as Japan & Sweden. I haven't found an Irish Whiskey yet that really floats my boat but people say good things about the Midleton distillery. Happy dramming and I hope the dry spell doesn't last too much longer!

[jaggy 528]

Dan ... welcome to the forum. So long as you are having fun is all that matters.

[azda 979]

Eye appeal is a factor that any book cannot price, only to someone with good judgement. You're heading in the right direction

[PWA 1967 2,135]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum.

[argentumandcoins 70]

Double Florins and brass Threepences are relatively easy to complete in GVF to UNC grades if you like complete runs (other than the patterns of course, oh and the 1937 eddy VIII).

Edited October 3, 2015 by argentumandcoins

[Stuntman 264]

Many thanks guys. I will continue to enjoy the journey!
Having seem some of your wordpress sites, I might try and do the same...​