Books/Websites

[damowain]

Hi guys, only just joined and am brand new to collecting coins, my main interest is in british coins. I just purchased a book called collectors coins great britain and it starts from 1760-1970, are there any books/websites that you could recommend that are pre 1760 that show how much coins are worth etc (as far back as possible). I have looked around and am struggling to find anything currently. I have looked on this forum and also google without any luck. Also, if you have any advice or any other books/websites that you think would help me starting out please go ahead and post those too. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Rob]

The most comprehensive one is Spink's Coins of England. It includes a selection of varieties within types which other catalogues don't cover. e.g. Coin Yearbook starts with Roman, but the limitations are clear when it only gives a single price for say Henry I pennies when there are 15 classes for the reign and nearly an order of magnitude variation in prices within those 15. Spink also has its limitations, but is comprehensive enough to cater for anything other than specialist collectors of a particular area.

[TomGoodheart]

Welcome Damowain.  As Rob say, Spink is a good generalist publication.  Though you have to remember that books take time to compile and print and so prices are already dated by the time they hit the shelves, so they are only a guide really.  You also have to remember that what a coin is 'worth' will vary depending on demand.  A coin can sell for silly money if two people really want it, but conversely a really rare one can go for peanuts if few people collect that type and those that do already have an example.

There aren't really all that many websites that offer prices as it would take a lot of time to keep them up to date and many sites are run by just once person.  The most accurate price guide is perhaps to follow auction sales (coupled with some knowledge) but that's probably only something to worry about when you are looking for something very specific.

And of course, while grade is key, nice or nasty toning, 'eye appeal' and other factors all come into play.  Really there's no substitute for personal knowledge.  And until you have that there are places like this forum.  Most members will happily offer an opinion as to grade or reasonable price if you post a photo of a coin for discussion, so don't be afraid to ask.  We're all learning here.  Just some have been learning for a bit longer than others!

[damowain]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I appreciate it. Will try and take all of that on board going forward, looking forward to start building a collection.

[Leto]

not sure about british exactly, but concerning others this website https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer is very usseful

Edited July 6, 2016 by Leto

[IanB]

Link does not work

[Paulus]

Possibly need to be logged in to ngc to see it?

[Leto]

17 hours ago, IanB said:

Link does not work

sorry, my bad https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/ 

this one has to be correct

[IanB]

Works now, thank you.

[azda]

You can also Check out The website from Tony Clayton, he keeps this up to date and is specifically British orientated

http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/coins.html

[damowain]

Thanks for the link azda