Nother newbie- but oldie :)

[Uncle Phil 0]

Hi, I have not been an "official" coin collector, but have just decided to become one

I have a few interesting coins, but I want to start off a "proper" collection with all the coins that have been around during my lifetime.

Starting from the farthing (yep, I'm an old fart ), hapeny, penny, silver 3d piece, 12 sided thrupny bit, tanner, bob bit etc.

And also to make a decent little cabinet to show them off, as I'm quite handy in that way. Probably really boring to you experts , but an interesting place for me to start, and maybe even a bit of a legacy for my kids (who are nearly due for their own bus passes!).

Anyway, I hope to be along this way rather often in the future, so I look forward to your company.

[Colin G. 147]

Welcome to the forum, always good to see a new face!!

[Rob 3,152]

Welcome to the forum.

At least you have set yourself a target that is easy to achieve in top grade. You could even do a set for the year you were born as long as it isn't 1923, 1933 (unless you are very wealthy) or 1934. Make sure you only collect uncirculated pieces in top grade with full lustre as they are readily available and the world is awash with lesser grade material from the 20th century. Tread carefully if using ebay and if you are near a monthly coin fair, pay it a visit to get a feel for what is available.

[Peckris 579]

Hi, I have not been an "official" coin collector, but have just decided to become one

I have a few interesting coins, but I want to start off a "proper" collection with all the coins that have been around during my lifetime.

Starting from the farthing (yep, I'm an old fart ), hapeny, penny, silver 3d piece, 12 sided thrupny bit, tanner, bob bit etc.

And also to make a decent little cabinet to show them off, as I'm quite handy in that way. Probably really boring to you experts , but an interesting place for me to start, and maybe even a bit of a legacy for my kids (who are nearly due for their own bus passes!).

Anyway, I hope to be along this way rather often in the future, so I look forward to your company.

Welcome Uncle Phil (don't ever call yourself "Uncle Vagn" - I'm still recovering from last night's conclusion to "The Killing". Shudder)

Good luck in your endeavours! On the subject of cabinets, you may need to be aware that you need a 'non-reactive' type of wood such as mahogany if you intend to make your own.

As for getting started, there are two good books published by the Rotographic Press (see banner advert above) which are ideal for newbies : "Collectors Coins GB" with not only all values for English coins from 1797 on, but all kinds of interesting titbits to do with varieties, collecting, etc; and, "Grading British Coins" which shows all the main obverse and reverse types from 1797 mostly in 4 states of preservation.

Rob's advice is sound, but I'd say you don't have to settle for UNC only - you can get very many pre-1937 20th Century coins in EF grade, which is almost perfect but only between 1/5 and 1/2 the cost. And scarcer dates / types you'd be settling for Very Fine or even less.

As a general rule, the toughest reign is Edward VII, then George V. George VI and pre-decimal Liz II are both reasonably easy.

[Red Riley 2]

Welcome to the forum Uncle Phil. What you collect may depend on your definition of 'around in your lifetime'. I'm not yet in possession of a bus pass but even I can remember Victorian bun pennies, halfpennies and even the odd silver item in circulation. I guess it all depends on your budget but a decent example of each back to the 19th century shouldn't really break the bank.

[1949threepence 3,367]

Hi, I have not been an "official" coin collector, but have just decided to become one

I have a few interesting coins, but I want to start off a "proper" collection with all the coins that have been around during my lifetime.

Starting from the farthing (yep, I'm an old fart ), hapeny, penny, silver 3d piece, 12 sided thrupny bit, tanner, bob bit etc.

And also to make a decent little cabinet to show them off, as I'm quite handy in that way. Probably really boring to you experts , but an interesting place for me to start, and maybe even a bit of a legacy for my kids (who are nearly due for their own bus passes!).

Anyway, I hope to be along this way rather often in the future, so I look forward to your company.

Welcome, Uncle Phil, good to see you.

Some excellent advice above, but I would say that a great place to start in order to complete a quality collection quickly, is with the 12 sided brass threepenny bit. Four rare dates (1946, 1949, 1950 & 1951), and straddles two monarchs from 1937 to 1967, 30 coins (Yes I know that run of years adds up to 31, but no threepences were minted in 1947).

That would really get you into the hobby at no massive expense, from which point you could begin to specialise in a high quality run.

Good luck

[Uncle Phil 0]

Thanks a million for the replies, and the advice - it's very much appreciated. Must admit, I'm really intrigued by the threepenny bits, and will certainly be on the lookout.

Thanks for the book suggestions as well. I was rather reluctant to just go out and buy books without proper advice,and now I have it.

Many thanks guys.

[Hussulo 6]

Welcome to the forum Uncle Phil.

Along with all the excellent advise you have been given, if you are going to build a coin cabinet, make sure you build it using mahogany. This is the most stable type of wood to use for coins.

Take a look here for ideas:

http://www.coincabinets.com/

[Uncle Phil 0]

Got my first batch of things, but not in line with the original idea of just coins that were around during my lifetime. I got a batch of farthings - 14 in all - and a few other odds N sods from Colin and I'm glad I did.

To hold those coins that are so familiar and so ingrained in my childhood is almost emotional. They still give me the sense of worth and value that they had in those days.

With regard to the cabinet, many thanks Hussulo, those pre-made ones are seriously nice, but way above my station at the mo, so maybe I'll put one on my wish list. I have in mind a simple tray with square divisions lined in green fluffy stuff, and a perspex hinged lid. I knocked something similar up for my girls when they were small for their collections of fossils so I'll do one of those again.

And as for my sig - I haven't yet but I do really want one

[Peckris 579]

Got my first batch of things, but not in line with the original idea of just coins that were around during my lifetime. I got a batch of farthings - 14 in all - and a few other odds N sods from Colin and I'm glad I did.

To hold those coins that are so familiar and so ingrained in my childhood is almost emotional. They still give me the sense of worth and value that they had in those days.

With regard to the cabinet, many thanks Hussulo, those pre-made ones are seriously nice, but way above my station at the mo, so maybe I'll put one on my wish list. I have in mind a simple tray with square divisions lined in green fluffy stuff, and a perspex hinged lid. I knocked something similar up for my girls when they were small for their collections of fossils so I'll do one of those again.

And as for my sig - I haven't yet but I do really want one

I don't know if it's scientific or just custom, but coin trays usually come lined with 'red fluffy stuff'.

[SionGilbey 1]

Got my first batch of things, but not in line with the original idea of just coins that were around during my lifetime. I got a batch of farthings - 14 in all - and a few other odds N sods from Colin and I'm glad I did.

To hold those coins that are so familiar and so ingrained in my childhood is almost emotional. They still give me the sense of worth and value that they had in those days.

With regard to the cabinet, many thanks Hussulo, those pre-made ones are seriously nice, but way above my station at the mo, so maybe I'll put one on my wish list. I have in mind a simple tray with square divisions lined in green fluffy stuff, and a perspex hinged lid. I knocked something similar up for my girls when they were small for their collections of fossils so I'll do one of those again.

And as for my sig - I haven't yet but I do really want one

I don't know if it's scientific or just custom, but coin trays usually come lined with 'red fluffy stuff'.

I've seen a lot of blue fluffy stuff around as well.

[Uncle Phil 0]

Perhaps I should just get an old kilt and line it with that

[DaveG38 408]

Perhaps I should just get an old kilt and line it with that

If you do, you better watch out for extraneous fluffy stuff - you never know where its been.

[Colin G. 147]

Perhaps I should just get an old kilt and line it with that

Phil,

There are some good fairly cheap coin albums about nowadays. The Optima range from Lighthouse is quite good and I have had no trouble with them, other than the odd pocket splitting due to the stiffness. I have got a raft of old pages because I changed to pages that could hold the 50mm coin flips. If you want me to drop you a couple in the post so you can have try them let me know as a newbie I will throw them in the post to you free of charge. The albums and spare pages can be bought from Chris on this site, where I sourced my pages from

[azda 979]

Perhaps I should just get an old kilt and line it with that

DO NOT CUT THE TARTAN!!!!!!! Dave fae Scotland (sniper extrodinaire)

[Uncle Phil 0]

Phil,

There are some good fairly cheap coin albums about nowadays. The Optima range from Lighthouse is quite good and I have had no trouble with them, other than the odd pocket splitting due to the stiffness. I have got a raft of old pages because I changed to pages that could hold the 50mm coin flips. If you want me to drop you a couple in the post so you can have try them let me know as a newbie I will throw them in the post to you free of charge. The albums and spare pages can be bought from Chris on this site, where I sourced my pages from

Colin, Many thanks - I received the coin sheets today. They certainly do the job, although just one will hold my entire collection at the mo

I'll put an order in for the albums, and start looking like a real pro

[Colin G. 147]

Phil,

There are some good fairly cheap coin albums about nowadays. The Optima range from Lighthouse is quite good and I have had no trouble with them, other than the odd pocket splitting due to the stiffness. I have got a raft of old pages because I changed to pages that could hold the 50mm coin flips. If you want me to drop you a couple in the post so you can have try them let me know as a newbie I will throw them in the post to you free of charge. The albums and spare pages can be bought from Chris on this site, where I sourced my pages from

Colin, Many thanks - I received the coin sheets today. They certainly do the job, although just one will hold my entire collection at the mo

I'll put an order in for the albums, and start looking like a real pro

Glad they arrived safe and sound. They are a great folder option, plus it gives you plenty of gaps to now fill

[Uncle Phil 0]

Welcome, Uncle Phil, good to see you.

Some excellent advice above, but I would say that a great place to start in order to complete a quality collection quickly, is with the 12 sided brass threepenny bit. Four rare dates (1946, 1949, 1950 & 1951), and straddles two monarchs from 1937 to 1967, 30 coins (Yes I know that run of years adds up to 31, but no threepences were minted in 1947).

That would really get you into the hobby at no massive expense, from which point you could begin to specialise in a high quality run.

Good luck

Have been doing as you advise and looking out for threepenny pieces, and saw this on fleabay. He's offering dates from 1952 - 1971. Were any produced in 1971 just a few months before they ceased to be legal tender? If so, that's a tad short sighted I would have thought.

[Colin G. 147]

Welcome, Uncle Phil, good to see you.

Some excellent advice above, but I would say that a great place to start in order to complete a quality collection quickly, is with the 12 sided brass threepenny bit. Four rare dates (1946, 1949, 1950 & 1951), and straddles two monarchs from 1937 to 1967, 30 coins (Yes I know that run of years adds up to 31, but no threepences were minted in 1947).

That would really get you into the hobby at no massive expense, from which point you could begin to specialise in a high quality run.

Good luck

Have been doing as you advise and looking out for threepenny pieces, and saw this on fleabay. He's offering dates from 1952 - 1971. Were any produced in 1971 just a few months before they ceased to be legal tender? If so, that's a tad short sighted I would have thought.

Phil,

That is a result of Ebay making you list the Reign/design of the monarch. So the dates correspond to the Ebay category not the dates on the coin. There is a 1970 proof version, but otherwise the latest date for a currency specimen is 1967, I think!!

[Peckris 579]

Welcome, Uncle Phil, good to see you.

Some excellent advice above, but I would say that a great place to start in order to complete a quality collection quickly, is with the 12 sided brass threepenny bit. Four rare dates (1946, 1949, 1950 & 1951), and straddles two monarchs from 1937 to 1967, 30 coins (Yes I know that run of years adds up to 31, but no threepences were minted in 1947).

That would really get you into the hobby at no massive expense, from which point you could begin to specialise in a high quality run.

Good luck

Have been doing as you advise and looking out for threepenny pieces, and saw this on fleabay. He's offering dates from 1952 - 1971. Were any produced in 1971 just a few months before they ceased to be legal tender? If so, that's a tad short sighted I would have thought.

That's just careless listing. The first coins were dated 1953, run continuously to 1967, and a 1970 proof. That's it. Obviously not a true collector / dealer selling.

[declanwmagee 122]

trickier dates to look out for in higher grade, if you get them Phil, are:

1954

1956

1958

1959

1960 at a push

Another one to look out for is 1953 Obverse 2 - you can spot it by the I of LIZ pointing straight at a corner, rather than slightly to the right. Obverse 1 coins were only issued in the Nine coin plastic 1953 sets you'll have seen around, but strangely seem to be much commoner these days.

[1949threepence 3,367]

Welcome, Uncle Phil, good to see you.

Some excellent advice above, but I would say that a great place to start in order to complete a quality collection quickly, is with the 12 sided brass threepenny bit. Four rare dates (1946, 1949, 1950 & 1951), and straddles two monarchs from 1937 to 1967, 30 coins (Yes I know that run of years adds up to 31, but no threepences were minted in 1947).

That would really get you into the hobby at no massive expense, from which point you could begin to specialise in a high quality run.

Good luck

Have been doing as you advise and looking out for threepenny pieces, and saw this on fleabay. He's offering dates from 1952 - 1971. Were any produced in 1971 just a few months before they ceased to be legal tender? If so, that's a tad short sighted I would have thought.

As the others have said, Phil, the Elizabeth II threepences, run from 1953, continuously, up to and including 1967, with a 1970 proof version. None were minted in 1968, 1969 or 1971. Personally, I wouldn't touch the particular set offered in your link. They're unlikely to be in especially good nick, and aren't shown. You're better off buying single pieces where you can inspect the individual item offered, in greater detail.

Some of those 1950's date can be surprisingly tricky to locate in uncirculated condition, especially the 1957 & 1958 in my view.

[Uncle Phil 0]

Many thanks for all this. Am trying desperately to put all the various notes in some kind of order so I can find them easily when something comes up.

Will definitely be collecting threepenny pieces, particularly the brass jobbies as I just love those, but go back as far as I can. It can sit alongside the new burgeoning farthing collection

[Peter 615]

Hi Unc.

46,49,50 & 51 are the hardest 3d's.

The rest should be fairly easy in EF+

Take anything F+ on the above 4 but don't pay over the odds for a circulated one (maybe a few £)

Good luck...its a sensible series to whet your collecting fix.

[declanwmagee 122]

And if you want to take it to the next level, there's two types of 1937, 1941, 1948, 1949 and 1953.