basecamp

slightly excited by my latest coin its only a Queen Victoria penny probably 1900 (ish) but it has her 'old head' on both sides of the coin - both sides are identical! Thats why cant tell the year it was minted as Britania is not there. Is this error something I should get excited about or was this fault common place and there is hundreds in circulation?

The 12 is diametrically (if thats the correct word!) opposite the mark on the obverse, perhaps the coin was struck by something whilst resting on another object which had a 'raised' 12 - hence the incused 12. I had to ask the question because I have seen similar punch marks on other coins - wishful thinking (it is after all not the best conditioned coin in the world). cheers

On a recent close up examination of my penny collection I found this strange indentation on a 1911 George V coin, the mark is on the obverse and is clearly visible extending out from the kings nose. This could have been made when the coin was minted, but I here you all say unlikely! However directly opposite on the other side of the coin is a small number 12! (next to the 1st N in PENNY). It looks like a 12 punch could have made the mark. Does anyone have any suggestions for how the the said marks came about - when minted perhaps?

The coin was found in County Durham, The exact coin does appear in my edition of Spink but has a octagonal countermark of George III in the centre - my version obviously does not. I know that countersunk versions were put into circulation from 1804 onwards as Bank of England Dollars, so not sure why this pre-dated plain version should find its way so far 'north' !

Hope this image is bigger!

Just aquired this Silver 'Spanish dollar' (poor quality I know!) The date reads 1781 and CAROLUS III is the king but would this coin have been in circulation in England despite not being countermarked or over struck and issued as a Bank of England Dollar? The coin has just been found in Durham UK. If the following image works - thanks Pinman!

Hi you were right the first time, I was hoping someone could make the images visible to all rather than have to click on the link as I cannot for some reason do this at my end. I remeber getting paid £5 per day potatoe picking on my local farm as a teenager - although I wasn't born in the 17th Century!

Does anyone know what these three coins all have in common? On a serious note the one that looks the oldest is blank on the other side any idea what it could be? http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/25888/200...01488804_rs.jpg I still canot directly upload images to the forum, if someone can do this for me I would appreciate it.

I am the proud owner of 11 shillings; 10 of which all come from the 1950's!!! and the 11th is a 1910 Edward VII Shilling which I posted on the forum a few weeks ago because he has a facial mole!

Google it - of course! Thanks it does indeed appear to be a jetton although in a much poorer condition there is a similar coin on the following web page; http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/jettons.htm Scroll down the page (sixth set of coins down on right hand side), its titled; '1490- 1550 'Ship -penny' Jetton anonymous issue' So out of all the earlier suggestions who was most accurate?

By scrolling through your replies and varied suggestions aimed at identifying the coin so far, its clear that you all have a good feel for it's type and where this coin originates but cannot as yet quite put your finger on it. Clearly its got you all thinking and I appreciate the time you are taking to post.

Thanks........I knew it was bronze all along So whats the best reference guide available for lettering & abbreviations from this period?

Peter what makes you think its a Jetton? Scottishmoney if it is an Angevin era token what 'language' would be used on the inscription as I think I have a good chance to break the code (although quite clear on the picture in sunlight it is very clear). Are you suggesting the coin could be gold?

Thanks once again Scottishmoney Would that be a 'British' token? and if not and it is a foreign coin is the 'crown' significant?

As a new(ish) member I am always mindful not to abuse this forum with constant questions such as 'whats this coin?' etc. I do my best to research coins prior to asking what I know to many of you will be straight forward or obvious questions but with this one however I am well and truly stuck. It appears to be a hammered copper coin 26 mm in diameter. On one side is a ship with 3 flags and on the other a diamond within a diamond containing 4 fleurs. There is a crown at the top (above the ships mast) which could be a mint mark. The inscription on both sides is very clear and I could probably work out myself what it actually says if only I new latin (if indeed it is latin!). Whats the best reference book/web site that would help me decipher this ancient code? my bestest guess s far is that its and Edward IV or Edward V coin. hope this picture link works http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/24337/200...53205087_rs.jpg

Many thanks you are indeed knowlegable in all thing Scottish!

Hi all, my latest aquisition has me scratching my head. It appears to be copper and 20mm in diameter. My best research indicates its a Charles I Scottish Bodle (twopence), The visible legend reads; EMO . ME . IMPVN (possibly NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET with a V instead of a U in IMPUNE) on one side and; CAR . DG . SCOT . AN (possibly CRDG SCOT ANG FR ET HIB) on the other (the edge of a thistle is also visible). However other examples I have found do not have a symbol 'II' to the right hand side of the crown and above the 'R' symbol as mine does, does this indicate it could be a Charles II Scottish Bodle? I know the answer will be obvious to many of you, but I have only been collecting coins since April! If the picture hyperlink below does not work when you click on it try pasting it into your address bar; http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/23536/200...78939268_rs.jpg Many thanks in anticipation.

I can see where your coming from, I will follow this up with some 'i-web' research, the Salvation Army were massive in those days and archives although large should cough up the info I want. Thanks for your help/suggestions. coin picture; http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002544218028282686

'Glory be to God - General William Booth' on one side '3rd July 1882' on the other. Does any one know if this is a token coin, a commeration coin or cunning plan to get you to join the Salvation Army? Hope this picture links works; http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/22743/200...28282686_th.jpg' alt='a>'> Better image link; http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002544218028282686

Refering back to my earlier query hopefully these 2 links will show the 'mole' I was refering to: http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005950807177070182 http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005936245218407369

Getting back to the subject of token coins, I have a strange coin comemerating General William Booth and the Salvation Army. It has an image of the Salvation Army Headquarters with the words 101 Queen Victoria St, headquarters london. On the other side it has on the outer edge 3rd July 1882. Its about the size of a Victorian halfpenny. Does anyone recognise this type of coin and if so is it classed as a token coin or just a commerative type coin?

Thanks some good advice there (probably more confused now though!) In short I will do what you recommend and keep everything for the time being, problem is I am running out of space and end up putting several in the same jar and worry they will all damage each other! Haven't got enough jars!

Only been collecting since April and have got my self a couple of hundred coins in my collection already - mainly pennies/half pennies etc 1800's onward (nothing really exciting though!) - but hey its a start! I found a Leith halfpenny token 1797 last week with a full-rigged ship under sail on the obverse, I have tried to do a bit research on token coins and I am not exactly sure what they are all about - could you spend them anywhere in the UK for example? As a new starter I wonder if most collectors end up specialising in certain areas and consider selling/swapping thes 'token' coins if they come into their possesion for something they prefere to collect or are 'token' coins worth hanging onto?

Hi all, just getting into this coin collecting mallarky and I am enjoying it so far! I have come accross a strange 'lump' on one of my few silver(ish) coins. My question is are lumps like this common if so are they formed accidentally when the coins are minted or is it the result of a much later chemical reaction with another metal or foreign object? The 'lump' looks like a facial mole on his right cheek - hopefully the image will be clear enough for you to give me an answer. Sorry my attempt at uploading the pics has failed - not sure how it works!