Die Axis

[Fenman 0]

Recently took delivery of the 2004 spink catalogue and have noticed reference to Die Axis. In the book it shows two arrows pointing up or one up and one down to denote the axis.

So what is a die axis, the difference between the up and down arrow and how is it relevant to a struck coin?

Many Thanks.

[Sylvester 15]

Recently took delivery of the 2004 spink catalogue and have noticed reference to Die Axis. In the book it shows two arrows pointing up or one up and one down to denote the axis.

So what is a die axis, the difference between the up and down arrow and how is it relevant to a struck coin?

Many Thanks.

Right die axis...

Best way to do this is to hold a coin, any coin... hold with the obverse facing the right way up. Hold the coin so you have your finger on the top of the coin and the thumb around the bottom edge.

Then turn the coin sideways to see which way up the reverse is. If the reverse is the same way up as the obverse, then the coin has been minted with 'medal' alignment and will be shown as an up arrow, if the reverse is 'upside down' then it will be in 'coin' alignment and will be refered to in you're book with a down arrow.

US coins are still minted in coin aligment. Most other countries are now with medal alignment.

[Fenman 0]

Thanks for that, mate. I've got it now.

Typical newbie, me

Cheers.

[Emperor Oli 0]

When I first got into coins, the die axis in Spink confused me but then I worked it out.

[Chris Perkins 228]

What do you want, a medal?

Yes I think even I was the same all those years ago, knee high to a grasshopper, thinking, what is 'die alignment'? I soon realised the truth after I acquired a pre 1860 copper farthing and a post 1860 Bronze one.

You know, all these wonderful books like Spink are all very well, but I feel many of them complicate things even more for beginners....Mind you, I suppose they are not aimed at the beginner are they.

[Emperor Oli 0]

Mind you, I suppose they are not aimed at the beginner are they.

Spink's was the first coin book I bought when really started collecting and it has taught me a few things but some of it still baffles me

[Sylvester 15]

Mind you, I suppose they are not aimed at the beginner are they.

Spink's was the first coin book I bought when really started collecting and it has taught me a few things but some of it still baffles me

I must admit i've been bad and i haven't bought any coin price guides since the 2000 Coincraft one, (in January 2001 i bought that!), prior to this i'd been working from Seaby's 1993 catalogue. (Prior to that i was working from a Spinks 1985 one).

I doubt i'll buy another one for a while. If i see a coin for sale at a certain price on a coin list somewhere, i just tend to call in at the local WHSmiths pick up the new coin book, look up the price, make a mental note, and leave again.

I might buy next years though, wouldn't want to get too far behind as prices are rising pretty quick these days.

(Breaks these unintentional 8 year cycles you know!).

Having scouted through the 2003 one in the shops, and the 2004 one the prices in my area of coins seem to have gone up a bit, but not phenominally.

I'll admit that i don't find Spinks/Seaby's or whatever it may be that useful, decent price guide and all yes not to be doubted. But for actual background info, i think i'll wait for an updated Coincraft if one is ever forthcoming.

Chris are there any decent books out there on Early Milled stuff? (Not George III cos i've got all the coins i want from that reign for now...both dated 1787).

Looking particularly for stuff from 1662-1758 inclusive.

Preferably 1674-1694 hint hint!

Syl.

[Emperor Oli 0]

Would you say Coincraft is/was the best out there?

[Sylvester 15]

Would you say Coincraft is/was the best out there?

Although the prices in the Coincraft one are now getting further and further out of tune with the newer books.

I would say it is the best general book i've come across.

The milled section gives all the die axis stuff, illustrations of most coins, mintage figures, a whole section on hammered patterns, touchpieces, milled patterns.

The book is set out by denomination rather than by monarch. Each monarch's coins get it's own introduction, plus collecting tips. So lets take crowns for example, George IV crowns get an introduction, followed by collecting hints, followed by the price guide. Then same for the William IV stuff etc.

The hammered section is phenominally well thought out. Where possible all the mints used are listed and under each mint every moneyer accounted for is listed. (+ varying spellings etc)

I think it's still worth it! Even if the prices are now out.

At about £20 for a 750 page A4 size book, i think it's well worth it.

Syl.

[Chris Perkins 228]

Chris, are there any decent books out there on Early Milled stuff? (Not George III cos i've got all the coins i want from that reign for now...both dated 1787).

All I find useful is the English Silver Coinage book, (there I go again singing its praises) but that doesn't cover Copper/gold of course. I'm sure there are other useful books, but I don't find I need to refer to a lot of EM info.