New To The Forum

[Nordle11 564]

Hi everyone, I've posted a few times on the site but not really introduced myself properly so thought I would..

I'm Matt, I'm 24 and from Milton Keynes. My interest in coins started a few years back when the Olympic 50ps came out and the designs really intrigued me so I set about collecting them knowing there were 29 designs out there. I had a little trick where, at work, I would load a vending machine up with £5-10 worth of pound coins because it vended the change in 50ps and I'd occasionally get an Olympic one. About a year past and I finished the whole collection without, I can proudly say, purchasing any from Fleabay. This spurred me on to expand on my enjoyment of collection coins so I decided to collect the whole range of UK 50ps and now have them all including the now infamous 'Kew Gardens' and also the much rarer (IMO) EEC 50p. Funnily enough I picked up a beauty of the EEC from Preloved for about £3 (good times haha).

I started to notice other coins on Ebay and other places while searching and I guess it was just love at first sight when I stumbled across the penny. I, like probably most of you on here, then fell into a wonderful spiral of buying and selling coins everywhere and anywhere I could, slowly building on my own collection and keeping back the few gems I could get at a good price.

To the present day and I've got 2x books ('The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins' and 'The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain') and a penny collection between 1918 - 1967 (including a 1901 and 1902) ranging between gEF and UNC. I should point out I only have the 1919kn penny from the KN and H range before you ask to see any pictures haha, and that's only around VF. I've also got a folder full of the nice examples I can afford to keep and these go up from farthing to crown, but I don't can't do gold just yet.

From what I can tell, I was invited to this forum by Accumulator after stumbling across his penny collection on t'internet and emailing him to express my aweness so thanks to you, because so far it's been a great read and I'm learning a lot, fast. On a side note I may have met a few of you already, I was the young red head lad wondering around the National Motorbike Museum at the Midland coin fair just gone. That's where I got the 1919kn penny

That's it from me, I look forward to meeting all of you and some wonderful pictures of coins I can't afford!

Matt

[Rob 3,152]

Welcome . We have already met.

[declanwmagee 122]

Good for you, Matt! Took me bloody years to get to the Midland.

[Peckris 579]

Great story Matt - Welcome to the forums

I too love pennies and before I became a type collector I had a date run of bronze pennies going back to 1889. Actually I still have them, but now it is mostly EF or better Having said that, my 19KN is only Fine so you're better than me already there!, but I do have a weak (hair) strike 19H in GEF and a BU 12H. There are some mega rare varieties, but you will learn in time where to draw the line : for me, the line is (sadly) drawn just below the 1922-with-1927-reverse, but I've got many other rarities such as "Gouby X" and "1903 open 3", which will engage you in time if not already!

Looking forward to hearing your adventures in collecting.

[Accumulator 52]

That's a great background story, Matt. I'm really pleased you found us as a result of our exchange. It's always good to have new enthusiasts join our hobby, especially those with a few less years on the clock. It sounds like you're already building quite a collection!

[sound 25]

Matt,

Really appreciated your enthusiasm and excitement. Thoroughly enjoyed your post.

Regards

Mark

[Garrett 76]

Welcome Matt !

[davidrj 194]

Welcome Matt, enjoy your collecting!

I, like many on this forum, started by collecting pennies from change back when you got 240 to the pound. Old codgers like us sometimes forget decimalisation was back in 1971, 43 years ago, and collectors of your generation are rightly interested in the coins in their pocket, just as we were back then.

There are enthusiastic decimal collectors out there, they tend not to post here - maybe the name "Predecimal" puts them off We did have someone a while back who obviously had a keen interest in varieties, he answered my query on the different styles of the portcullis on the penny, who knows he may still lurk here.

Each generation needs to push the hobby forward, bronze pennies were probably despised by the old guard when they first appeared in 1860

David

[Nordle11 564]

Morning all and thanks for the kind and welcoming words!

It's great to see so many enthusiastic collectors all in one place, I'm not sure what the areas are like when everyone else is but I find that coin fairs and dealers near me are few and far between so it's good to get to actually talk to some hardcore numismatists!

I'ts been, so far, a tough learning curve but it's one I am thoroughly enjoying. I must point out that I am beholden to a few people here, as I'm sure many others are, including Tony Clayton for his website and also Chris Perkins (who I have recently discovered is behind the Rotographic prints). And also Red Riley, as I understand the former of my 2 books was compiled by him. It's not often you get to give credit where it's due so I won't miss the opportunity.

When I get a chance I'll take some pics of some of my pennies and load them up for perusal.

Thanks again and great to meet you all!

[Nordle11 564]

Great story Matt - Welcome to the forums

I too love pennies and before I became a type collector I had a date run of bronze pennies going back to 1889. Actually I still have them, but now it is mostly EF or better Having said that, my 19KN is only Fine so you're better than me already there!, but I do have a weak (hair) strike 19H in GEF and a BU 12H. There are some mega rare varieties, but you will learn in time where to draw the line : for me, the line is (sadly) drawn just below the 1922-with-1927-reverse, but I've got many other rarities such as "Gouby X" and "1903 open 3", which will engage you in time if not already!

Looking forward to hearing your adventures in collecting.

Thanks Peck

I also think I'm in the same ball park as you right now, I'll be trying to get my hands on the 1922 w/27 rev. however I won't be aquiring it anytime soon (while I have to buy luxuries like food and heating)!

[Peckris 579]

Great story Matt - Welcome to the forums

I too love pennies and before I became a type collector I had a date run of bronze pennies going back to 1889. Actually I still have them, but now it is mostly EF or better Having said that, my 19KN is only Fine so you're better than me already there!, but I do have a weak (hair) strike 19H in GEF and a BU 12H. There are some mega rare varieties, but you will learn in time where to draw the line : for me, the line is (sadly) drawn just below the 1922-with-1927-reverse, but I've got many other rarities such as "Gouby X" and "1903 open 3", which will engage you in time if not already!

Looking forward to hearing your adventures in collecting.

Thanks Peck

I also think I'm in the same ball park as you right now, I'll be trying to get my hands on the 1922 w/27 rev. however I won't be aquiring it anytime soon (while I have to buy luxuries like food and heating)!

No - I meant the line is just below that particular one! I'll only get one through an immense amount of luck, I certainly couldn't afford one. As for post 1887-bronze, I would like to upgrade my 1926ME from VF+, and get a decent (e.g. EF) KN which means 1918, they being much more common. Apart from that, I'm more or less there now.

[Nordle11 564]

Great story Matt - Welcome to the forums

I too love pennies and before I became a type collector I had a date run of bronze pennies going back to 1889. Actually I still have them, but now it is mostly EF or better Having said that, my 19KN is only Fine so you're better than me already there!, but I do have a weak (hair) strike 19H in GEF and a BU 12H. There are some mega rare varieties, but you will learn in time where to draw the line : for me, the line is (sadly) drawn just below the 1922-with-1927-reverse, but I've got many other rarities such as "Gouby X" and "1903 open 3", which will engage you in time if not already!

Looking forward to hearing your adventures in collecting.

Thanks Peck

I also think I'm in the same ball park as you right now, I'll be trying to get my hands on the 1922 w/27 rev. however I won't be aquiring it anytime soon (while I have to buy luxuries like food and heating)!

No - I meant the line is just below that particular one! I'll only get one through an immense amount of luck, I certainly couldn't afford one. As for post 1887-bronze, I would like to upgrade my 1926ME from VF+, and get a decent (e.g. EF) KN which means 1918, they being much more common. Apart from that, I'm more or less there now.

I see! To be honest with you Peck, the 1922/27 is one of my least favourite variations on some of the better types out there so I'm happy to wait for this one

I'm yet to obtain the 1926me, I recently just bought the original effigy so happy to wait while I enjoy this one!

I have seen more and more recently that the 18KNs are popping up, and they seem to be getting better and better in grade. I think theres one going on Ebay which has some eye appeal and was around the £500 mark. I just tried to find the link for it but it seems someone may have already bought it..

[Peckris 579]

Great story Matt - Welcome to the forums

I too love pennies and before I became a type collector I had a date run of bronze pennies going back to 1889. Actually I still have them, but now it is mostly EF or better Having said that, my 19KN is only Fine so you're better than me already there!, but I do have a weak (hair) strike 19H in GEF and a BU 12H. There are some mega rare varieties, but you will learn in time where to draw the line : for me, the line is (sadly) drawn just below the 1922-with-1927-reverse, but I've got many other rarities such as "Gouby X" and "1903 open 3", which will engage you in time if not already!

Looking forward to hearing your adventures in collecting.

Thanks Peck

I also think I'm in the same ball park as you right now, I'll be trying to get my hands on the 1922 w/27 rev. however I won't be aquiring it anytime soon (while I have to buy luxuries like food and heating)!

No - I meant the line is just below that particular one! I'll only get one through an immense amount of luck, I certainly couldn't afford one. As for post 1887-bronze, I would like to upgrade my 1926ME from VF+, and get a decent (e.g. EF) KN which means 1918, they being much more common. Apart from that, I'm more or less there now.

I see! To be honest with you Peck, the 1922/27 is one of my least favourite variations on some of the better types out there so I'm happy to wait for this one

I'm yet to obtain the 1926me, I recently just bought the original effigy so happy to wait while I enjoy this one!

I have seen more and more recently that the 18KNs are popping up, and they seem to be getting better and better in grade. I think theres one going on Ebay which has some eye appeal and was around the £500 mark. I just tried to find the link for it but it seems someone may have already bought it..

Yes, in the past few years - well, certainly since eBay - the 1918KN has been re-evaluated as much more common than the 19KN, instead of a 'bit more common'. In that time, the 19H has gained a lot of respect as being very hard to find in high grade.

Don't rush into your 26ME, but like me you might have to set your sights on a VF or VF+ example. (That's true VF by the way, not what some people would have you believe ).

Supposed 'scarce' pennies you should find easily are 1950, 51, and 53 in high grade. If you're into the 'recessed ear' GV variety, the 1916 is easier than the 1915. On the other hand, there are varieties which don't interest me in the slightest : the two varieties of 1905, ditto 1937, especially as the differences are microscopic and neither variant is markedly rarer than the other. The 1940 'single exergue line' is tricky in BU, and of course 1932 and 1934 in UNC are also tricky. I'm still looking for a high grade 1946 'mint flaw' penny.

OMG, the more we talk about pennies the more there is to say! The farthing boys had better come along and shut us up.

[Bronze & Copper Collector 412]

And the Half-Pennies remain the forgotten middle child........

[declanwmagee 122]

And the Half-Pennies remain the forgotten middle child........

...and yet I had a BU '57 calm sea a few months back but it flew out of my Shop like it had wings. I think it lasted less than a day. It went to Canada, where someone obviously collects them!

And Rob does, of course. And I do, but then I collect everything.

[Peckris 579]

And the Half-Pennies remain the forgotten middle child........

...and yet I had a BU '57 calm sea a few months back but it flew out of my Shop like it had wings. I think it lasted less than a day. It went to Canada, where someone obviously collects them!

And Rob does, of course. And I do, but then I collect everything.

I treasure my halfpennies! But for some reason, maybe genetic, the halfpenny boys don't kick up a quarter of the fuss those farthing boys make. Talk about 'inverse proportion'.

[Accumulator 52]

And the Half-Pennies remain the forgotten middle child........

...and yet I had a BU '57 calm sea a few months back but it flew out of my Shop like it had wings. I think it lasted less than a day. It went to Canada, where someone obviously collects them!

And Rob does, of course. And I do, but then I collect everything.

I treasure my halfpennies! But for some reason, maybe genetic, the halfpenny boys don't kick up a quarter of the fuss those farthing boys make. Talk about 'inverse proportion'.

Apart from Rob's collection of proofs & patterns, halfpennies are barely ever mentioned on this forum. I often wonder why?

Is it the ONE* 'mint flaw' of 1946 you're after, Peck?

[Nordle11 564]

Haha, well I'm still new to the game and my heart is still with pennies at the moment. To be honest though, and I can't explain why, I can see me moving onto farthings instead of half pennies. I think the ship reverse really puts me off, although I do like the half pennies further down the line when Brittania appears.

To your previous comment, Peck, I'm definitely looking for a VF or VF+ of the 26me and out of the 50's pennies, the only one I'd look to change is my 1950 as it looks as if it has been dipped in the past, although retoning now. I'm probably going to hold out on variations for now until I hit Victoria. I'm seriously looking forward to it though because of the all variations involved and I'm also smitten with the 1860 reverse . I might live on the edge and skip the 1893-1900 range for a while so I can get myself a few bun pennies, which I've been highly anticipating.

Any suggestions on a bun penny that's a particularly good date without breaking the bank? I'd like an H variety of some sort but they seem to go for a lot...

[Colin G. 147]

Welcome to the forum, if you are a regular at the Midland coin fair, then there is a good chance we will bump into each other at some point in the future...I am normally the guy struggling to the exit with a big box of catalogues from Rob

[Rob 3,152]

I don't understand why halfpennies are so difficult to shift. They are much cheaper than pennies, only slightly more expensive than farthings, probably a bit harder to find than the other two in top grade, but the larger of the two denominations that have been around since 1672. Collectors prefer larger module coins for some reason, so they ought to tick a lot more boxes than they do in practice.

Ship reverses only cover a couple of decades. Britannia reverses cover nearly 3 centuries. You can pick up an EF or better early G3 halfpenny for a few hundred pounds. Try finding a much younger bun head penny in top grade that isn't a couple hundred minimum. The only bun head halfpenny you are likely to pay 4 figures for is a top end letter by lighthouse 1862. They're cheap.

[Peckris 579]

Is it the ONE* 'mint flaw' of 1946 you're after, Peck?

Yes. I have about 3 or 4 collected from change in the late 60s, but I'd like one minimum EF.

Any suggestions on a bun penny that's a particularly good date without breaking the bank? I'd like an H variety of some sort but they seem to go for a lot...

Ok - the common varieties of 1861 - 1863 are quite cheap in fairly high grade, or 1889 - 1893 are very affordable in GEF or better, with lustre. 1876H and 1882H are both readily available.

[Nordle11 564]

Just found that 18kn I was talking about, it didn't sell, the seller just relisted it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1918KN-PENNY-BMC-2254-A-UNC-A-TRACE-OF-LUSTRE-/171254482636?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item27df9006cc

£900, however..

[Nordle11 564]

Is it the ONE* 'mint flaw' of 1946 you're after, Peck?

Yes. I have about 3 or 4 collected from change in the late 60s, but I'd like one minimum EF.

Any suggestions on a bun penny that's a particularly good date without breaking the bank? I'd like an H variety of some sort but they seem to go for a lot...

Ok - the common varieties of 1861 - 1863 are quite cheap in fairly high grade, or 1889 - 1893 are very affordable in GEF or better, with lustre. 1876H and 1882H are both readily available.

And thanks for the advice, Peck, I'll keep those in mind while I'm searching for bun pennies!

[Peckris 579]

Just found that 18kn I was talking about, it didn't sell, the seller just relisted it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1918KN-PENNY-BMC-2254-A-UNC-A-TRACE-OF-LUSTRE-/171254482636?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item27df9006cc

£900, however..

Strange colour - you'd expect a KN to have the characteristic red colour. That one looks like my 19H, except mine has virtually no hair detail, the die was so worn!

[Nordle11 564]

Just found that 18kn I was talking about, it didn't sell, the seller just relisted it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1918KN-PENNY-BMC-2254-A-UNC-A-TRACE-OF-LUSTRE-/171254482636?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item27df9006cc

£900, however..

Strange colour - you'd expect a KN to have the characteristic red colour. That one looks like my 19H, except mine has virtually no hair detail, the die was so worn!

1919H penny obv:rev.jpg

Nice!

Is it ever the case where the London mint supplied planchets to the either Heaton or Norton or is this just true the other way round?