Question for the Hammered boys

[azda 979]

Does clipping of a hammered coin detract from a hammered coins desirabiltiy as i'm thinking of buying this and not seen one quite as good, perhaps you have.

[Rob 3,152]

Does clipping of a hammered coin detract from a hammered coins desirabiltiy as i'm thinking of buying this and not seen one quite as good, perhaps you have.

The Rosette-Mascle issue is probably the commonest of the Henry VI types. Full round examples come up quite frequently and with patience in top grade too.

[azda 979]

Ok Rob, thanks for the info.

[HistoricCoinage 146]

I agree with Rob. Coins of this issue come up frequently in high grade, be sure to cast your net wider in terms of auction houses if your heart is set upon a top-quality example.

[azda 979]

I agree with Rob. Coins of this issue come up frequently in high grade, be sure to cast your net wider in terms of auction houses if your heart is set upon a top-quality example.

I was actually thinking it was a decent example apart from the clipping, its been graded as EF (American) and were looking for top Geld, hence the reason i asked before plunging or not, so i'll hold fire.

[Coinery 1,153]

Does clipping of a hammered coin detract from a hammered coins desirabiltiy as i'm thinking of buying this and not seen one quite as good, perhaps you have.

Of course clipping does reduce the desirability of a coin, but it's my thoughts that it depends very much on where the clipping is...essentially, does the clipped coin still have a 'balanced' feel about it? That's what counts if I'm buying a coin for myself! Two coins can be clipped by exactly the same degree...one is as ugly to look at as sin, and the other I would happily buy and gaze at for years!

[HistoricCoinage 146]

I was actually thinking it was a decent example apart from the clipping, its been graded as EF (American) and were looking for top Geld, hence the reason i asked before plunging or not, so i'll hold fire.

It definitely is a decent example but it'd be even nicer and not all too hard to get a similar one minus the chip.

[TomGoodheart 402]

Hammered coins are definitely an area where it helps to do a good search before making a decision. Rob spends quite a proportion of his time looking at old auction catalogues and I spend far more than I should on the internet, but in effect what we are doing is similar. We are both aiming to get a feel for what sort of state you find a coin in and what sort of price that commands, so that when an exceptionally better example comes up we recognise it and have an idea what we might be prepared to pay. And to avoid spending money on 'best evar example none to me' and regretting it!

Bottom line is, some coins are almost never found other than bashed, clipped, bent or badly made, whereas others you can pick up a nice example quite easily. And if you can recognise a coin as being unusual when everyone else thinks 'oh, I've seen plenty of those', well, you're at an advantage.

[Debbie 58]

Although I have seen lots of hammered coins in books and on the forum, I have never actually had one in hand. I can see that on ebay there are some hammered coins that seem to go very cheaply - between £5 - £10. Assuming that these are not fakes ( I know, I know...!) Is it actually possible to pick up a fairly common, but decent coin for this? I'm just curious.

[TomGoodheart 402]

Although I have seen lots of hammered coins in books and on the forum, I have never actually had one in hand. I can see that on ebay there are some hammered coins that seem to go very cheaply - between £5 - £10. Assuming that these are not fakes ( I know, I know...!) Is it actually possible to pick up a fairly common, but decent coin for this? I'm just curious.

Mmm ... not really. Yes, you can get a coin that has enough detail that you can identify it. Like this. But it won't be terribly pleasing for that money. I think it would be worth spending more like £30-£40 to get a better coin if you want silver. A jetton or copper farthing could be had for less, if you just want something hammered.

[HistoricCoinage 146]

Although I have seen lots of hammered coins in books and on the forum, I have never actually had one in hand. I can see that on ebay there are some hammered coins that seem to go very cheaply - between £5 - £10. Assuming that these are not fakes ( I know, I know...!) Is it actually possible to pick up a fairly common, but decent coin for this? I'm just curious.

You can pick up a fairly decent Henry III Longcross penny or an Edward I penny for £10 on eBay and a really nice one for no more than £25. You just have to be patient and trawl through the pages of tat on eBay.

[Debbie 58]

Thanks for your replies chaps.

It's still amazing that something so old can be bought for such a small sum, but then again I suppose one can dig up a fossil for free.

I think I will wait until I get to a coin fair to see some real live hammers - that's if you are allowed to handle them?

[Peckris 579]

Thanks for your replies chaps.

It's still amazing that something so old can be bought for such a small sum, but then again I suppose one can dig up a fossil for free.

I think I will wait until I get to a coin fair to see some real live hammers - that's if you are allowed to handle them?

Oh no. I make a small charge.

[Coinery 1,153]

Thanks for your replies chaps.

It's still amazing that something so old can be bought for such a small sum, but then again I suppose one can dig up a fossil for free.

I think I will wait until I get to a coin fair to see some real live hammers - that's if you are allowed to handle them?

Amazing indeed, that's what first got me into all this! Around 15 years ago I discovered I could own a real Elizabeth I coin for around the same price as a museum replica, about £10 back then...the same is still true today, albeit £20-£30 instead!

I lived in Bath for many years, where i forever stood incredulous at the tourists paying £4.99 for a copy of a roman coin to take home to the family! You can buy VF and better for £3!

[Geordie582 18]

Hmm! It just goes to show....horses for courses. To me a pristine coin of the hammered variety just shows it has never been used. If that's your bag -good luck (and plenty of money) but beware of Chinese and Ashmore fakes. For me a certain amount of wear is essential to satisfy my feel for history. Seeking perfect hammered coins could be satified by a collection of Ashmores!! and they have far more handling too!

[scott 144]

not found a lot of hammered at under a tenner, usualy cut pieces, the odd cheap bulk buy of cuts is fun though

[Peter 615]

The advantage with hammered is you can bounce them off the wall,take a drill to them,clip them,put in a sack...and Richard will still buy them.

With hammered it is eye appeal...well rounded,a decent bust.....nurse

[Peter 615]

London mint (DOH) are ten a penny.I started off with one from Mr Cooke.I like cut coins because of their history.I try and dig em up now

[Coinery 1,153]

not found a lot of hammered at under a tenner, usualy cut pieces, the odd cheap bulk buy of cuts is fun though

I've just snatched a raggy-edged penny, but with a very nice bust for £5! Good enough for my punch project, and nothing to be ashamed of generally! ;-)

[Coinery 1,153]

The advantage with hammered is you can bounce them off the wall,take a drill to them,clip them,put in a sack...and Richard will still buy them.

With hammered it is eye appeal...well rounded,a decent bust.....nurse

Not that I'm proposing this, but what you say is true...they're one of the few types you can fumble and drop without sh****g yourself! Not to be recommended, of course!

[Debbie 58]

I've just snatched a raggy-edged penny, but with a very nice bust for £5!

Wouldn't mind seeing that Stuart.

[Danelaw 208]

Found this laying on top of the foreshore last year. Obviously uncleaned. My absolute favourite Monarch, so was delighted with it.

[Danelaw 208]

This fella' came up not long after. My photo's are terrible.

[Coinery 1,153]

For me a certain amount of wear is essential to satisfy my feel for history. Seeking perfect hammered coins could be satified by a collection of Ashmores!! and they have far more handling too!

Now that's exactly the thing with hammered; even the most amazing ones aren't perfect, they all have a unique historical stamp, wear, mistrike, weak strike, thin edge, thicker edge, stressed flan, edge splits, and so it goes on, each absolutely dripping with history whatever the grade!

[Coinery 1,153]

I've just snatched a raggy-edged penny, but with a very nice bust for £5!

Wouldn't mind seeing that Stuart.

Will put it up the moment it arrives!