Peter

However I try I can't float my boat with anything after....well it has to be predecimal when you got 480 halfpennies for £1. In my youth I used a lot of these in 2p arcade machines. I've still got rolls of halfpennies. Maybe I have copper tinted glasses but really pre 1936 gets me going everytime.

It makes you wonder what the £ could buy.My parents bought their house for £2,000.00 in the early 60's.So a gold coin was worth approx £2,000.00 in todays currency. My memories of coins go back to the early 70's when you could buy them for £5 to £6 although my pocket money didn't stretch. I do remember buying an Unc 1901 farthing for 10p and a GVF 1/2d for 20p....the rest came from change as my uncle was a baker/milkman and my father had access to a till which I used to search every Saturday morning.I amassed a good collection of pre 47 silver although no pre 20 silver. In the last 30 years I have bought willy nilly but recently calmed down to buying only quality....unless auction fever strikes on a bit of quality. Anyone remember the "Farthing Specialist"? he was an inspiration as he actually took time to write a note with every order and often put a few extras in the package. Maybe life was simpler then.

When I was a teenager my sister bought me a 1914 shilling which I still have today probably gvf but will never be replaced. My parents have given me money for birthdays and Xmas which I have used for coins and not depreciated as fast as M&S jumpers.I also spend far too much time on internet forums (and Ebay et all)and have managed to bore my wife and children about my coins...although my eldest is taking an unhealthy interest in their values/and probate laws.

A fine year 1874 I wish great grand ma had saved the selection of coins each year in BU and maybe cherry picked a few of the earlier coins.I wonder what was circulating in 1874? I have made hashed attempts to collect decimals but they do nothing for me.

Hi Rachel If you got a fiver for your coin I would eat my cardigan and slippers and possibly my wife's vest. Coins really have to be in top condition....I have so many friends who produce worn bun pennies who expect them to be worth a fortune. Have a look on Ebay to see what they fetch.

1882 seems to be a collectible year for most coins....I wish my great grandma was born then and stashed a huge collection in the loft.In fact she was born in 1874 which makes me feel a bit old....still in my fourties.

I bought sovs, half sovs, guineas and half guineas about 5 years ago.....I wish I had bought more.I paid £60,£40,£112 & £50.....not a bad return. Apart from bullion I can see copper (pre 1860) rising rapidly...not that I would sell

My wife knew I was looking for a copy of Peck so she phoned Colin Cooke who put her onto Spink. They had 2 copies so she ordered the cheapest but then changed her mind and got the better one. I got home from work and she presented me with this bulky parcel.....This is one of the many reasons why she is still ;the current Mrs Peter. It would be nice for it to be updated....I know Colin was working on a farthing encyclopedia....It would however send the copper bronze market into orbit(the 1d market already is) When I look at aboutfarthings website I realise my farthing collection will never be complete.

My maximum snipe is the amount I would happily pay....anything less is a bonus.

Well, this has been addressed already, but as an aside, I would agree that you're not going to get too many coin collectors in the average football ground. I'm an Ipswich Town supporter by the way ~ cultivated by my upbringing in Essex. That makes 2 of us Keano COYB

The grade looks about right at extremely poor....why do these people bother?

Steady - no need to be reckless..... You are right...I will make her stick to the white (or rose...what's that all about?)

I agree with Tom's thoughts on eye appeal,roundness of the flan etc....remember every hammered coin is different. I really don't believe you can grade hammered because an as struck may still look awfull....I have a nice early ed1 Bury penny which was renowned for a weak strike and bought from a well known dealer....I nearly returned it until I researched it...Then comes Fine silver issue of EdV1 and what an improvement.Liz coins are reknowned for a weak bust....and most Charles 1 are clipped....research your market and only buy the things you like cos if you don't like them the market won't like them.....suppose it will save on the inheritance tax though BTW I've just heard child allowance is to be stopped for higher earners....why not stop it and if you can't afford kids don't have them.

My trusty old stopwatch WAS THE BIZ.... but now ebay counts down its much easier. I snipe but only at a price I'm happy with...if I lose so be it....but the thrill if you WIN something at a lesser price is great....even Mrs Peter might get a nice glass of red.

I've bought a few coins from Centles and have been happy....just ingnore the grade attributed and grade yourself.

What a scam...however if you risked buying all 40 inc £3 postage for every one you would get the 20 undated at £30 a pop. Somehow it smells of a future dispute. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Undated-20P-Both-Sides-Genuine-and-Cheap-/300468302527?pt=UK_Coins_BritishDecimal_RL&hash=item45f54e72bf

Hi Tom As long as you set your limit...snipe for it. At coin fairs dealers grading aren't consistant so the grade attributed isn't important.If I make an offer and we can't agree on a price I will walk away. Good luck and I hope you get your coin. Peter

I don't bother with insurance.....keep the collection scattered around the house.

Hi and welcome to the forum The bible for numisaddicted souls is Spink which is issued annualy and costs £25. The owner of this site produces an excellent book covering 1797 to present date at about a fifth of the cost. Sovereigns are worth about £180 as scrap....bearing in mind I was picking these up for £60 to £70 a couple of years back and if you look to history (1970 onwards) the price of gold fluctuates so its possible to make a fortune or get badly burnt. Soapy water and patting dry dirt ingrained coins is an option but be very careful....I've also had success with a soaked cocktail stick to remove crud. Upload your pictures and we can advise on value grade etc. Regards Peter

Steve I can confirm it is not a Queen Anne coin.Probably a medlet.The obverse looks fairly poor whilst the reverse has much more effort put into it. Good luck in your research...There are a couple of specialist token dealers who may help.

I've been getting x10 for pre 1947 and x20 for pre 1920 but once you factor fees and paypal this can reduce by 15%. So basically a 1920 1/2 crown is worth 12.5p x 10 less 15% = £1.06

From an antique centre I got a 1875 Indian Head cent and a 1863 farthing both in VF for £1.50 each. Both were traded in at the Midland coin fair...as good as cash in your pocken(pardon the pun ) I have also picked up from a jewellers a 1893 JH head 3d from his box of 3d's for the pricely sum of 45p it was in GF.

About 10 years ago I was in a jewellers and he had a box of coins at £2.50 each. I went through the box and picked out 20 pre 1920 halfcrowns in EF to GEF and he gave me 10% discount.

I agree with Vic that in this instance it needs slabbing then exposed on US Ebay with a good reserve.

A nice coin....well rounded...i've got some real craggy CH1 shillings...thats the way they were with clipping et all