General Questions About Coin Collecting

[Mousey 0]

Hi, Im new to this forum and I just wanted to ask questions about coin collecting.

I have a lot of coins which are old, rare and fairly new from different countries and a lot of them are in good condition. Is there a best way to store them to keep them in good condition?

Also, some of my coins are dirty, I'v heard about using malt vinegar and I tried using this on my oldest coin (stupidly) and it rusted. What is the best way to clean them?

I have a coin that dates aaaall the way back to 1928 and it is a 6 pence. How can I find out if it is worth anyting?

And last but not least, I have 2 coins which are silver and made out of metal but they extremely light. On one side there is an image of a tree with some sort of arabic writing on the top (or somrthing) and the dates at the bottom and on the other side, there are two leaf things around the edges, a '5' in the middle and more writing at the bottom. Does anyone know what it is?

Thank you for your time

[Chris Perkins 228]

Tree and Arabic....Lebanon springs to mind, but you should post a picture (or google search for Lebanon coin and you may find a picture identical to what you have).

Generally coins shouldn't be cleaned. They are best in the original state with the original tone. Ancient coins often need cleaning, but 1928 is hardly ancient where coins are concerned (for people it is, eh Geordie ). If the coins are actually dirty (as opposed to toned naturally) then you could use a soft tooth brush and soap and water. Dry thoroughly.

They should be stored in at least an album which doesn't contain PVC or plastic softeners. Or you could use individual envelopes. Most products from reputable coin accessory companies are ok. Have a look at the main website www.predecimal.com I sell lots of accessories. And books too, including a price guide (Collectors' Coins GB), which it sounds like you will need.

[Mousey 0]

Thanks for your help I'll be sure to check it out

[Geordie582 18]

Ancient coins often need cleaning, but 1928 is hardly ancient where coins are concerned (for people it is, eh Geordie ).

I've got to admit to the occsional clean (me and my coins!)

[Guest Panterex]

Hi!

I started coin collection just a week ago, and I whant to ask an advice.

Can I clean my coins with a soft toothbrush in a hot soapy water before bring them for GRADE?

Or it'll effect the grading results?

Thanks

[Hussulo 6]

Hi!

I started coin collection just a week ago, and I whant to ask an advice.

Can I clean my coins with a soft toothbrush in a hot soapy water before bring them for GRADE?

Or it'll effect the grading results?

Thanks

I wouldn't bother, cleaning them, especially if the are milled and not hammered.

Most non collectors or new collectors think if a coin is shiny its worth more. The truth is, all coins tone in time and most collectors like toned coins. There are some coins which still retain their original colour, and that are in mint state, and that are worth more. If you try and clean a coin to make it look uncirculated or original, it won't work. An experienced collectors can tell a mile off a coin has been cleaned or if it retains it own colour and lustre. Cleaning a coin can seriously devalue it (especially if done in correctly) and 9 times out of 10 there is no need to clean them anyway.

[Guest Panterex]

Thnx Hussulo for your reply!

Tell me now please, I'm living in Ireland, I was trying to Google grading services in ireland, but no luck...

Maybe some of you know if there is one, or if not, give me please an adress of one in the UK or a website would be even better, 'cos I'd like to find out what the charges are like.

Regards,

Panterex

[Hussulo 6]

Thnx Hussulo for your reply!

Tell me now please, I'm living in Ireland, I was trying to Google grading services in ireland, but no luck...

Maybe some of you know if there is one, or if not, give me please an adress of one in the UK or a website would be even better, 'cos I'd like to find out what the charges are like.

Regards,

Panterex

There is a UK company recently established. Link below:

http://www.cgs-uk.biz/home

There are also companies in the US called PCGS and NGC (as well as others, but they are regarded to be the best in the US).

To be honest I wouldn't really bother getting your coins graded unless they are valuable, even then its not really necessary. My most expensive coin an 1823 £2 and isn't slabbed. I do have a few slabbed (graded) coins, but that's how I bought them and a lot of foreign gold coins (especially if purchased from the US) are already slabbed. It cost money to get coins slabbed and if the coin isn't worth much, then really it isn't financially viable.

If you get them slabbed it does offer some protection, like a hard plastic case, and a degree of guarantee as the said coin should be genuine (don't always listen to the variety stated on the slab, and sometimes they miss varieties).

Alternatively if your worried about protection and damage to a coin, you can always buy plastic coin holders, capsules and slabbs and put the coins in yourself.

If you wanted to find out grades of particular coins, you could post pictures here and someone will probably be able to tell you their grades (as long as the pictures clear) or alternatively you could take them to a local coin dealer, and if he's friendly and helpful enough he should be able to tell you their grades.

Regards,

Hus

[Guest Panterex]

Hus, you're brilliant

Super answer!

I want to post my 3 oldest coins, wich are in the worst condition comparing to my other coins and see what do you and others think about them

I hope to get some information on them as well

There is one of them dated 1840 (Diameter is 16.3 mm)

This one was with this hole wich i understand does a huge decrease to its value and grade (diameter 19.3 mm)

This one probably costs as much as a same weight pice of coper but anyway, I did recognize 3 letters on it

(diameter 34 mm) Click to enlarge to see the letters

Regards,

Panterex

[Hussulo 6]

Lets start with the hardest one first.

I think your showing the coin upside down. I also think at that diameter it may be a George III penny.

This is the way it should be:

I think the P you see is actually a D and then there is a D and you were right about the R and E which should be followed by a X.

I have highlighted these in the picture below. I have also highlighted a circle, which looks to be some damage as if someone punched something on the other side. In blue I have lined up the letters in relation to the eyes and nose which looks to be in line with a George III penny 1806 to 1808.

Look at the second coin in my site below:

http://www.coinsgb.com/George_III/6-Penny.html

The bad news is in that condition I don't think it would be worth anything. When it comes to coin collecting and values condition and rarity are the main factors that determine a coins value. It's all about being desirable, the nicer it looks and the less of them there are, the more people will want one. The age of a coin is less relevant. You can pick up a Roman coin for a couple of pounds, where as a modern coin in top condition might cost more.

[Hussulo 6]

Your top coin is a Victoria 4 pence.

Look at the link below for details:

http://www.coinsgb.com/Victoria/92-SilverFourpence.html

Again in this condition it probably isn't worth any more than its silver value.

Your second coin is a Victoria 6 pence:

http://www.coinsgb.com/Victoria/93-Sixpence.html

It has been made into a love token. A lot of Victorians used to etch the initials of their loved ones onto a side of a coin and it has had a hole punched into it to be worn as a necklace and a memento.

There are some collectors that collect these but, it is damaged (hole) and I don't think it will be worth more than its silver value.

P.S. These coins would definitely not be worth getting slabbed!

I hope I have been of some help.

Regards,

Hus

[Guest Panterex]

Hus, you're brilliant

I was wrong, you're not brilliant at all... you are simply INCREDIBLE

I hope I have been of some help

TO SAY AT LEAST! U gave me so much information on those coins, I actually wasn't even hopinig to get any info on that George III coin, I thought, It's in too bad state to say anything about it, but you did! I was excited as a child! I love to know the background of my coins, so all your links were very helpful as well!

Thnx a million once again!

Love this forum!!!

[Hussulo 6]

Hus, you're brilliant

I was wrong, you're not brilliant at all... you are simply INCREDIBLE

I hope I have been of some help

TO SAY AT LEAST! U gave me so much information on those coins, I actually wasn't even hopinig to get any info on that George III coin, I thought, It's in too bad state to say anything about it, but you did! I was excited as a child! I love to know the background of my coins, so all your links were very helpful as well!

Thnx a million once again!

Love this forum!!!

You're welcome. Any time.

[Guest Panterex]

Hi there!

I need help...

I want to find out the grades and the value of the collection of HalfPennys I have. The problem is, that all together it's 47 coins to post which is almost 6Mb of pictures and 24 posts.

Maybe just e-mail them?

Any one bored? Or can someone point me in the direction of how to find this information?

Thanks a million in advance

[Hussulo 6]

Hi there!

I need help...

I want to find out the grades and the value of the collection of HalfPennys I have. The problem is, that all together it's 47 coins to post which is almost 6Mb of pictures and 24 posts.

Maybe just e-mail them?

Any one bored? Or can someone point me in the direction of how to find this information?

Thanks a million in advance

Here's a link to grading coins on my site:

http://www.coinsgb.com/Grading.html

Its non coin specific, but it might help you. Chris and RedRiley are going to be relasing a book on grading soon so keep an eye out.

Another option would be to upload your coins to something like:

http://www.omnicoin.com/

That would save posting a couple of pictures at a time. Once you have uploaded them you could post a link to them and perhaps someone, or some members can grade them for you.

Regards,

Hus

[Guest Panterex]

Thanks, Hus!

You've really helped me here!

Nice site BTW! In my favorites now!

[Guest Panterex]

Thanks to Hus I managed to create my own online coin collection album!

It's only Half Pennys so far, cos I'm having troubles with the Internet... Should be sorted in a couple weeks.

So, if anybody wants to have a look and leave some comments - you are more then welcome!

Really looking forward to It.

Regards,

Panterex

PS. Oh, yeah... About the grade....

I can't leave a blank space in the coin condition drop down menu so I've chosen the description as I see it, but it's not a professional opinion. I'd like to ask you to leave the comments with your professional opinion, if it's not too much trouble.

[Guest Panterex]

Oh, Jeez!!!

I forgot to give you the link to my collection!

Here It is

Sorry for flooding

[Peter 615]

Panterex

Good start on Omni coin.It is a good free facility which I also use.

There is nothing of "real" value but some nice coins all the same.

If you PM me I will send you a few UNC 1/2ds free of charge...over the years I have picked up a few mint tubes of various dates.

Everyone has to start somewhere....you will learn and upgrade....although one bit of advice....try to concentrate on narrower areas...maybe George V1 1/2ds and get the best grades you can afford.

Regards Peter

[Guest Panterex]

Hi Peter!

Thanks a million for the advice and, especially, your offer - really appreciate this!

Everyone has to start somewhere....you will learn and upgrade....although one bit of advice....try to concentrate on narrower areas...maybe George V1 1/2ds and get the best grades you can afford.

Well, the whole point of my coin collecting, is that I'm not buying them. I'm a metal detectorist, so every coin in my collection, is a coin I found, or it was donated by somebody like you

Do you agree to the grades of the coins? I grade them myself, and I'm sure, that quite a few of them graded wrong.

Once again, thanks a million, Peter!

Regards, Panterex

[Chris Perkins 228]

Most of them are very very very overgraded, which is very common for beginers! The ZAR silver con for example is not even fine and most of the ship halfpennies are also not even fine.

[Guest Panterex]

Thanks Chris for an advice!

Well, I was "grading" them just comparing the state of the coins on http://www.coinarchives.com/w/

BTW, what value would you put on that Silver Shilling of mine? According to that site, (in fact, the state of the that coin was far worst then mine) The value is from 500 to 750 £.

Regards,

Panterex

[Chris Perkins 228]

It's just worth a few quid, I don't think there are any mega rare dates (at least not for low grade examples). Post a link to this comparison coin, I can find it from the general link.

[Guest Panterex]

It's just worth a few quid, I don't think there are any mega rare dates (at least not for low grade examples). Post a link to this comparison coin, I can find it from the general link.

I wouldn't call this coin Fine either, but It's in far worst condition then mine: South African 2 - 1/2 SHILLINGS

Estimate for that coin as you see 500 - 750 £ and it was realized: 880 £

There is my coin to compare:

[Guest Panterex]

Yeah.. I was shocked as well!

After seeing all of this, I did some research and I found out that all South African coins have a high value. No, not for British, or anybody else, but for South African people themselves. They're trying to buy all their culture back.