TomGoodheart

Thanks All! And I don't know about Colin, but I'm certainly pleased with the present I bought myself (see new acquisitions thread)!

I think without knowing a bit more it's difficult to give good advice, I'm afraid. Firstly, we need to know whether this is a 'collection' (which will usually have been stored carefully, possibly with records or notes of what's there and possibly consisting of coins that have been bought to be part of the collection) or the more frequently encountered 'accumulation' (which is a load of coins someone has picked out of change and put aside over time in things like jars, boxes and tins). While there may be coins of interest to collectors in an accumulation, it will take time to sort through and the number of coins will decide whether it's worth the work. On the other hand if someone has spent time and effort to track down their coins, there's a better chance it will be of interest. But even then it's not guaranteed, because the value of coins (both financial and interest) usually depends on the condition of the things (with those that have circulated less and so are less worn, generally worth more), how they have been stored, whether they have been cleaned (best not) and so on. Do you have a camera? If you could post a few photos of the (maybe 3 best?) nicer looking coins that might give people an idea of grade (condition/wear) or if you can identify the coins a short list ("half crowns, all pre-1920 - 15 of them" sort of thing) ... Then it'll be easier to decide whether a dealer (who are generally interested only in collections of things with metal value, such as silver (remember, pre-1920 silver coins are silver, 50% silver between 1920 and 1946 and after that they are just cupro-nickel), ebay (you can make better money by splitting into smaller amounts or individual coins, but it takes time) or a local auction house (though often these things can be listed as "biscuit tin filled with coins, various" and just go for a few quid) might be best. Alternatives are also, car boot sales, donate to a school for 'historical' interest or an elderly people's home (nostalgia) or find a youngster that might want to use as the basis of a collection (though not as popular a hobby as it used to be I'm afraid!).

Hi FD and welcome. In 1920, the silver content of all British coins was reduced from 92.5% to 50%, and then in 1947 changed to CuNi, so your Florin is 50%. There are quite a few bullion buying sites, but I found this one gives reasonable prices. You can estimate value just buy halving the weight of coins: http://www.hattongardenmetals.com/sell-scrap-gold.aspx Other people here can advise on scarcer dates etc as it's not my area.

Brilliant! I always think it's a wonderful bonus to know a bit of provenance about a coin. It's like having a new coin for free! Good work Seuk!

I just logged back in to the website to see if things are better. First impressions ... it's still slooooooooow. Since the 360 view clearly doesn't show the actual edge (or as far as I can make out, even the actual thickness) of the coin being viewed, I'm not sure how it's anything but a novelty. OK, the search works better but .. most importantly .. where is all the archive information from previous auctions that presumably still exists somewhere?? Plus, I miss an online coin shop ..

I don't believe they are rare at all. As seen by the number of results when I did a quick search: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&q=countermarked+George+III+dollar&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&bvm=bv.1357700187,d.d2k&biw=1280&bih=631&wrapid=tlif135781988748610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=8q_uULinCouY1AW94ICQDw . What is needed to command better prices is a good clear countermark, ideally on a good clear coin. Worn examples just aren't as attractive to buyers so buy the nicest you can afford (as usual!) AFAIK, the octagonal countermark is scarcer, but someone else here can no doubt confirm or deny that.

Not sure about the point of a circulated set. You could pick that out of change really! How about a proof set (£35+ ish or I think Rob on here had a set for £22+post?), or just an uncirculated set (£16 or so) and .. if you're keen .. a Sovereign? Sadly (?) only struck to proof standard and in smaller numbers, they were £275 from Lawrence Chard, but I'm not sure if he has stock now? http://www.24carat.co.uk/frame.php?url=goldsovereignproofs.html Or for something unusual .. a Maundy set? About £125: (This set has sold, but gives you an idea ..)

My Wife repeatedly tells me my collection (which I have spent years and not inconsiderable amounts of money building) is worthless until I come to sell it! And even then it will only be 'worth' what someone is prepared to pay, however much value it has to me. Personally I think it's always tricky predicting future prices eddy. That's because it's always difficult to be certain about the market sentiment a few years down the line. If electronic payment really takes off and they stop making coins, things could go up. Or not. Because if you check this site, most here are in their 20s or a lot older. I know hardly any kids that collect coins, certainly not compared to 50 years ago when it was quite a popular hobby. Yes, you could hold on to your coin in the hope it goes up above the rate of inflation. But will there be collectors for such things (decimal issues generally just don't attract the sorts of collectors that are prepared to pay several thousand quid, whereas there are enough for say, hammered gold to keep that market buoyant) in years to come? So I would mirror what others have said. Unless this coin is a key part of your current or future collection, I'd be inclined to sell it now and use the (hopefully obscenely large amount of) money you make to buy something a bit older with an established collector appeal! Oh, and let us know how you get on!

Sorry to hear that Bobcat. However I'm sure everyone here has made less than sensible decisions early on. The thing to remember is that there are several types of what people call coins. The main one, and what most here collect, were produced to be spent. Then there are the small number made to the same designs but to higher standards each year to show off the art of the coin, such as proofs. Unfortunately the Royal Mint now produces so many specimen/ uncirculated sets/ proofs these days they don't have the exclusivity or value they used to. The second class of 'coin' isn't really a coin at all, it's a way of buying bullion. Britannias (silver) and sovereigns (though these used to be coins of the realm and so older examples sell both as coins and for the gold content) are two examples, as are the famous Krugerand. As Peck says, avoid buying such things from people like the Royal Mint as they are marked up so much it will take ages to get your money back. There are reputable dealers who buy in bulk and sell for just above bullion value. However it's worth remembereing that these are essentially means of investment and as most here will tell you, it's best to keep investment purchases separate from buying coins for pleasure or their history. Finally there are .. well, fantasy pieces. They look like coins, are marked with a value and are often made in 'limited' numbers, but really they aren't designed to be spent. They are 'collectors items' in the same way decorative plates, limited edition watches, or Ty beanie babies are. They are bought to collect, but most are of no interest to anyone that doesn't collect the things so getting your money back, let alone making a profit, is down to luck and fashion. Pobjoy mint, Franklin mint and the like sell 'coins' in this way, but most are overpriced and of limited appeal to the coin collector or general public. Now obviously, some bullion pieces are attractive in appearance and people will pay a premium for that. But in a crunch it's the silver or gold that has value, so it's worth keeping that in mind. I use an internet site to check prices, but there are more than just this one. Just when I was thinking of selling I found their prices reasonable: http://www.hattongardenmetals.com/sell-scrap-gold.aspx As for your 'angel' well, if you do a search on ebay you'll find people do pay much more than bullion for them, so you could get between £55 and £80 from previous results: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=isle+man+gold+angel&_sacat=0&_odkw=isle+man+angel&_osacat=0&_from=R40&LH_Complete=1 Whether you'd get back what you paid however .. that's down to luck I think.

Current melt price is just under £42. While you might get more for it, such things are really just a way of buying bullion in my view, so there's no benefit to it being 'limited edition'. Plus Chard says fractionals are less popular than full ounce ones. Try ebay? They sometimes often pay silly prices there.

Meh. I don't like it. The photo makes it look like a replica. Of course, it might be perfectly ok, but the photo does it no favours. Makes the lettering look .. less crisp than I'd hope. And what's happening on the rev around the H and A .. scratch? Flan flaw? Casting error? Having said that it's hardly my area, but if it was Charles I I'd assume it had been polished .. or was dodgy. NEF, reverse a bit better, but I'd want to know how much and whether it's from a reputable dealer before I parted with any money ...

And an almost seasonal Bah, Humbug from me too!

And remember, we're a friendly lot here, so if you do spot something on ebay (or anywhere else really) and want a second opinion, just post a photo and ask. Of course, we all make mistakes to start with (or for a long time afterwards in my case!) but that's part of the learning process. Coin collecting isn't just acquiring the coins, but also the knowledge about them, so it's a long-term thing. Well, it is if you're more patient than I am anyway!

Well, I'm working tomorrow so can't overindulge, daughter is at a party, so Wifey and I have just had a nice meal, listened to the Big Ben chimes and will probably turn in the next half hour! Old and boring? Moi? Happy New Year All!

I think the key thing is that the Aberystwyth Furnace crown mark is very scarce indeed. Besly says there was a (single!) shilling die, but I've never seen a coin from it! The majority of Aberystwyth coins bear Thomas Bushell's book privy mark and can be distinguished because they not only have the Prince of Wales' plumes on the reverse, but also the obverse, before the King's face. That said, coins like yours struck from Welsh silver are scarcer. It would be an interesting exercise to collect the whole range of such coins starting with those of James I and ending in the early 1700s.

Ooh! Good luck if you go for it! There are some very nice pieces there to my eyes. The 1723 shilling is a stunner ... good thing I only collect Charles I!

I can't see anything that suggests the coin isn't genuine. As for the engraving, that too looks contemporary. I suspect after the restoration of the monarchy there was little appetite for such pieces until perhaps the Victorian era, so the liklihood of it being done very much after the death of Charles I seems low to me. Of course, I'm not an expert on such thingss. Though if I had the funds I'd love to collect a few curiosities such as this!

Well, obviously it's easiest if you only collect a small range of coins. And of course, copyright issues mean that you can only use it for personal study purposes (if that) .. but keeping your own records of coins you are interested in is of course a very useful option:

Well, pending your photos once you have it, it looks decent to me. Crisp enough in the detail, full round flan (which can be seen despite the corroded bit in the remaining edge beading) and centrally struck. And if bright, it'll tone down in time. As for Charlies, well there's certainly plenty to the series to discover. Personally I don't know how people who collect more widely, particularly like Rob, remember all the subtleties across 1500 years worth of coins. I have enough trouble with the Tower shilling varieties alone!

Here's a curiosity! An Oxford half Pound, engraved with the execution of Charles (top) and Roundhead cavalry (bottom)! Oh, and for any of the farthing/penny boys, I think there are some interesting pieces in the same sale: Stacks Jan 13. http://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=599&page=4

mcsearch (and its companion acsearch (for ancient coins) are fine, but has a limited number of auction houses it draws upon. CoinArchives is a good alternative, but was far better when you were allowed access to the archive (and so more than 100 results) without paying! Christies and Noble have a few old catalogues archived (with photos) which, if they happen to be ones you're after, can be handy. But yes, finding decent photographic records can be a struggle. I can see why sites like CoinArchives now charge for full access to their database, but at US$600 (464 EUR) a year it's beyond what I can pay and not being associated with an academic institution I can't benefit from the academic rate (which still isn't free) As for Spink, well I've contacted them several times about the site but it hasn't improved the search algorithm or user friendliness of the site so I'd rate it as somewhere between crap to completely useless. I use half a dozen or so different coin search sites, plus dealers of course, but as coinwatch says, sometimes Google images is the easiest option.

It can be confusing since coins (such as yours) were struck from silver mined at Aberystwyth but at the Tower mint. There are also (Civil War period) coins produced at Aberystwyth and coins just made using dies that resemble those later used at Aberystwyth .. which are known as having 'Aberystwyth' (or 'Aberystwyth style') busts! And finally a very small number of coins, such as this one, were made at the Aberystwyth Furnace mint , where you will see the crown is slightly different (actually to me it resembles the crown used on early Charles II hammered coins): Glad to have clarified things Dave.

Welcome Jay! I don't have anything to add about storage as what I collect a little extra toning won't hurt! But I just thought I'd mention that for around the price of a dozen Britannias you could get a proof 'wreath' reverse Geo V crown (or similar nice coin with some history to it) which I reckon will keep it's value. Whereas bullion coins, well, they are just worth the silver which as you probably know, is quite high at the moment ... just an idea!

I thought 'Concrete Cow' was your local brewer? Well remembered Derek! Hence I'm currently drinking a bottle of Cloven Hoof (vanilla stout). I also have some Pail Ale, Bulldozer and Cock & Bull to try later! But I'm not against travelling a bit further afield taste-wise. Particularly when someone else is buying!

I've just finished today's shift, so am sitting down with a coffee and mince pie. Father Christmas brought me quite a few Wychwood ales for Christmas, so I'm looking forward to taking a bottle (or two) with me when we go over to Mother-in-Law's for tea later. Wifey is driving, so I intend to take a well-earned rest!