Hi new collector

[Iainm87 0]

Hi everyone I've spent a few days on the site reading all the different threads, I started collecting coins about six months ago. Mostly two pound coins and one pounds and fifty pences. I love collecting things I have an addictive personality and I'm obsessed with things which are rare or unusual so this sites ideal. I love learning about new things too so it's facinating to read about all the old coins that I was unfortunately ignorant about. I've already got quite a large collection I'm missing the Kew Gardens 50 (who isn't) and a Northern Ireland commonwealth games 2 pound. I know my collection is the norm and lacks imagination but I love it and I'm eager to learn more about old coins and the history etc 

[Stuntman 264]

Good for you, and I think that the decimal £2, £1 and 50p coins are a good place to start whetting your appetite as you can enjoy looking for them in circulation as well as finding them from dealers or on eBay etc.  

Maybe after a while you'll dip your toe into the world of predecimal UK coins.  For instance, for the cost of a Kew Gardens 50p you could buy quite a few common predecimal coins (say for 1937,1953 or 1967) in top grade, with those years representing the coronations of George VI, Elizabeth II and the date on the last circulating predecimal coins.

Although where to start is all down to personal preference!  For instance you might prefer to have a little bit of everything, or a lot of the same denomination like you currently have with your decimals.  

I'm relatively new collector (well I collected as a schoolboy about 35 years ago, but I've come back to the hobby in the last couple of years) and I started off collecting a little bit of everything, but like most of us here I suspect, I prefer the look and feel of certain denominations more than others.

Have fun!

[Nordle11 564]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you're doing well already, good to see you've got the obsessive gene too, you'll go far  

There's tons of info on here, also a dedicated section for decimal coins which might be good for you for general info. Many experts in all fields here as well, who are always happy to help out so if you need anything just ask. I would definitely recommend grabbing a couple of books if you haven't already, at the top of this thread above your post there is a link to the Rotographic books. Excellent references and some are a must have for any collector.

[Nordle11 564]

Oh, and get some pics up of your favourite coins for us all to enjoy!  

[Iainm87 0]

Thanks for the replies guys I appreciate it, I love the fact everyone is so helpful and nice, I'll take some pictures of my coins tomorrow I'm in the process of moving house so I've stashed them away? My favourite coin is a 1986 Scotland commonwealth games two pound coin my girlfriend actually got it in her change from a sandwich shop a few months ago and it's in amazing condition, I've also got a 1926 sixpence that I found under the fireplace in my new house when I ripped it out, it's not worth anything I just think it's cool 

[Stuntman 264]

It's interesting that your girlfriend got a 1986 £2 in her change recently, as I thought these older style £2 coins were demonetised about 20 years ago!  Nice find.  You learn something every day.  

I still have the 1986 commonwealth games, 1989 bill of rights and 1995 50th anniversary of the end of WW2 £2 coins that I picked out of change at the time!

[bhx7 222]

Welcome to the madhouse. It is a great place for anything Numismatic, and occassionally just pure mental ravings but always fun. A great set of collectors with massive amounts of knowledge in all fields. Join in and have fun and take it from me dont be afraid to ask questions as sometimes things can go over your head at first. Especially when some of the more experienced collectors start talking in what seems to be some sort of foreign code . Satin, Bramah, F62, BSC3912 and so on......... You will get it. As long as your a little mad you'll fit in perfectly

[PWA 1967 2,142]

Hi and welcome 

[IanB 175]

Hi Iain from another Ian, just spelt differently. Welcome to the forum.

Edited August 30, 2016 by IanB

[Peter 615]

Welcome Iian,you will note that this is mainly a predecimal forum but we have a few lost souls who collect modern. I even succumbed to the Olympic set of 50p's....snapped up a few Kew gardens when they came out due to low mintage...a BU was £2-£3 then.A word of warning on our Chinese buddies. They soon pick up on rarer coins like Kew,undated 20p's and are swamping the market with fakes. There are threads referring to these to help you to avoid them. If you do fancy predecimal I can sort you out a good starter pack FOC. We all chip in and info is also free. Enjoy ....hardly touch my Xbox.

[Iainm87 0]

Hi Peter that would be amazing if you could, I don't want it foc thought I'd pay you or make a donation to a cause of your choice, yeah I read a thread about a member on here who unfortunately had a fake Kew in his collection I felt bad for the chap 

[Sleepy 107]

Hi Iain and welcome only started really collecting myself a year ago, and only join the forum a week ago. Found the best place to get coins for beginners is ebay, got a 100 old pennies for £6.50 last week, most were in a shocking state but a few nice ones including a 1912 Heaton mint (one of the penny aficionados will most likely explain) which in theory covers the 6.50 spent, and the rest forms the basis for a penny collection.

[StephenO 0]

Hi Iain and welcome to the forum. I love the older £2 coins and the 1986 one is a brilliant design. The bimetallic ones don't have the same appeal (to me, anyway) now that the Royal Mint seems to churn them out for every possible occasion.

[Peter 615]

On 8/31/2016 at 7:15 AM, Iainm87 said:

Hi Peter that would be amazing if you could, I don't want it foc thought I'd pay you or make a donation to a cause of your choice, yeah I read a thread about a member on here who unfortunately had a fake Kew in his collection I felt bad for the chap 

Hi Iain

I'm off on holiday very soon and my lounge is packed to the rafters with fishing gear. On my return I will sort a pack for you,PM you ETC. A donation to charity is always a good thing  and that is an individual choice.Helping others is always rewarding.