Greetings from a new member in the USA

[VillaRose 4]

Hello everyone! This is my first post on www.predecimal.com. I look forward to participating in your forum and getting to know all of you. 

Born in the U.S.A., I lived in England during the period 1966-1970. That's when I became fascinated by British coins. Back then I'd occasionally find well-worn Victoria pennies in circulation. The first time I found one of those, it was so worn that the lettering was almost completely gone. I had to ask my father who that was on the obverse side.  It didn't take me long to figure out that I could learn the history of the monarchy just by going through my pocket change. I don't know much about grading British coins but I'm hoping to learn more through this forum. 

[Peckris 2 2,194]

 Welcome to the forums  VR 

It will be good to hear your collecting experiences and see what treasures you locate. The book on grading English coins in the banner ad above is well worth it as a starting point.

[Paddy 1,864]

Yes - welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy this madhouse!

As Peck has alluded to, the starting point should be some good reference books. Those shown in the banner ad above are great to get started. For more detail the Spink "Coins of England" that is published each year is the bible. (The 2018 edition is on special offer on Amazon at the moment as they clear the decks for the 2019 edition and the changes from one year to the next are relatively small.)

Once you have formed an idea of what you want to collect there are lots of people here to give you great advice, so feel free to ask.

[RLC35 289]

15 hours ago, VillaRose said:

Hello everyone! This is my first post on www.predecimal.com. I look forward to participating in your forum and getting to know all of you. 

Born in the U.S.A., I lived in England during the period 1966-1970. That's when I became fascinated by British coins. Back then I'd occasionally find well-worn Victoria pennies in circulation. The first time I found one of those, it was so worn that the lettering was almost completely gone. I had to ask my father who that was on the obverse side.  It didn't take me long to figure out that I could learn the history of the monarchy just by going through my pocket change. I don't know much about grading British coins but I'm hoping to learn more through this forum. 

Welcome to the Forum Villa, from a fellow Yankee. 

[1949threepence 3,368]

Welcome Villa Rose. Let us know what your collecting specialisations are. 

[VillaRose 4]

3 hours ago, 1949threepence said:

Welcome Villa Rose. Let us know what your collecting specialisations are. 

My main interest is in predecimal silver coins from Victoria forward - florins and half crowns in particular. I love the ornate designs on the reverse, and they remind me of my childhood in England. Back then, you could actually buy something for "two and six," as we used to say.  I don't have much interest in post-1970 coins, but will occasionally buy a set from the Royal Mint just to see what they look like. 

I appreciate the suggestions on reference books. When I first started this venture I bought a copy of Coincraft's 1999 Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins - 1066 to Date, if anyone remembers that from nearly 20 years ago. It's helpful in identifying types and designs, but the comments on grading and values are almost worthless at this point due to the passage of time. So I've ordered the grading book Peckris suggested. 

[Garrett 76]

Welcome VillaRose !

I do enjoy florins and halfcrowns too. 

I was born in 1969, Australia had already given up the pennies and the pounds in 1966.   However there will still a few around and still acceptable in corner stores and not long 'till I was hooked.

Hope you enjoy hanging around here, we're all completely normal.

cheers Garrett. 

Edited September 22, 2018 by Garrett

[Peckris 2 2,194]

9 hours ago, VillaRose said:

I appreciate the suggestions on reference books. When I first started this venture I bought a copy of Coincraft's 1999 Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins - 1066 to Date, if anyone remembers that from nearly 20 years ago. It's helpful in identifying types and designs, but the comments on grading and values are almost worthless at this point due to the passage of time. So I've ordered the grading book Peckris suggested. 

I know it's big, but do hang on to the Coincraft book if  you can - the essays (some large, some small) before each section are well worth having, and are something that Spink doesn't offer; though Spink would be equally large if they did.