1874-H Penny - What die pairing?

[furryfrog02 1]

Hello All,

I just found this site through my searches trying to find anything out about a few recent purchases. I have recently fallen in love with British coins and have been buying the odd shilling or half crown on ebay when I can find a deal. I have a few large pennies in my collection and yesterday I purchased 40 Pennies from a coin store for $0.50 a piece to flesh out my collection. Among them were a pretty nice 1865 and this 1874H. I saw that there are several different die pairings and I was curious if anyone here could help me out with what I have. I'm looking forward to reading through the forums and learning a bunch. Thanks for looking!

[bronze mad 4]

hi furryfrog02

it is a freeman Obv 7 Rev H, not bad for $0.50, it is one of the more common types but if you were to pay a dealer for it in london then you would be probably paying £15 - £20, on e-bay £8 - £13.

British coins are fascinating, there is a vast area of unchartered waters to explore!

[furryfrog02 1]

Thanks for the reply! I like that I can get older coins for much cheaper than old US coins and there is a ton to learn about. $0.50 for a piece of history? Ok

[bronze mad 4]

i would grade it as good fine, its just started to loose all the finer detail, but it will still sit proudly in a collection, if you have date runs,

the 1874 series has 12 different die types according to freeman, some are very rare! so if you dont have a reference book try to get one! it will give you a wealth of knowledge, and you will be able to identify coins that are rarer!

books to consider for bronze is called. the bronze coinage of great britain,

or michael goubys, the british bronze penny,

but this only covers the penny!

I would imagine british coins outside of the uk as being in a better condition than normal due to less circulation!

[Peckris 579]

I would imagine british coins outside of the uk as being in a better condition than normal due to less circulation!

No predecimal UK bronze has circulated since 1971 (halfpennies since 1969, farthings since 1960).

[furryfrog02 1]

Thanks for the suggestions. Are there any books you would suggest for a general overview of predecimal coins? As it stands right now I am still trying to figure out what direction I want to take my collection. I love old copper/bronze stuff but I have been doing pretty well at picking up silver coinage for at/under spot so I have been doing that a lot too. I am going back to that coin store this morning. There are a few pennies I had before that started this whole craze that are pretty rough and I am going to upgrade as best I can. There was also a Young Head Victoria farthing in the box of pennies that I figured can't hurt to pick out for $0.50.

[bronze mad 4]

Thanks for the suggestions. Are there any books you would suggest for a general overview of predecimal coins? As it stands right now I am still trying to figure out what direction I want to take my collection. I love old copper/bronze stuff but I have been doing pretty well at picking up silver coinage for at/under spot so I have been doing that a lot too. I am going back to that coin store this morning. There are a few pennies I had before that started this whole craze that are pretty rough and I am going to upgrade as best I can. There was also a Young Head Victoria farthing in the box of pennies that I figured can't hurt to pick out for $0.50.

do you mean a price guide book? you can aquire one from this forum site,

Collectors coins GB, its a handly little book, and does list some of the minority types, for all denominations.

there are plenty on the market

[furryfrog02 1]

Just a good reference book that covers all denominations. I will take a look at the book you referred to. Thanks!

[Peckris 579]

Just a good reference book that covers all denominations. I will take a look at the book you referred to. Thanks!

I'd go along with the CCGB book too - it goes back to 1797 for copper and 1816 for silver. You can always buy other books if your interest begins to reach back to early milled or earlier.

[furryfrog02 1]

Sounds perfect. Thanks!