Buying pennies???

[dmw2602]

Hi,

Not heard great things about EBay, any other sites/groups recommended for adding to my collection of bronze pennies? Mixed bag at the minute, a few nice and few curious and a few poor. Still new so would really appreciate any guidance ☺️. 

 

Thanks again in advance.

[Paddy]

It is worth keeping an eye on local auctions. Boxes of Vicky pennies often come up in house clearance sales, and sometimes include some rarities unidentified.

The lower tiers of coin auctions can also be good as again they may not have identified the good ones. Also, you won't be fighting with the big bucks buyers. My local coin auction in Exeter, which runs every 3 weeks, has had some great pennies at low prices recently.

[dmw2602]

1 hour ago, Paddy said:

It is worth keeping an eye on local auctions. Boxes of Vicky pennies often come up in house clearance sales, and sometimes include some rarities unidentified.

The lower tiers of coin auctions can also be good as again they may not have identified the good ones. Also, you won't be fighting with the big bucks buyers. My local coin auction in Exeter, which runs every 3 weeks, has had some great pennies at low prices recently.

Thanks for the advice Paddy, appreciate the quick response.

 

I’ve picked a few things up from local auctions and did a lot of bulk buys at the start when I needed/wanted the dates etc. Not sure there would be much I could get from going through the boxes now but you never know and will continue to look ☺️. What’s the next step? Have picked up a few from Michael Gouby’s site who was also incredibly gracious with his advice. Lot’s more sites with crazy prices!!!

 

Example: I have 3 1860s that I can easily identify, and I’m sure I’ve overpaid for, but my 1865 (and many more) looks like I’ve made it myself 😂. 
 

Any thoughts always appreciated.
 

 

[jelida]

You would be well advised to attend a coin fair, such as those advertised in the back of Coin News. I go monthly to the Midland Coin Fair and have had many bargains as well as fairly priced offerings- but it does pay to know your subject, and don’t be afraid to take a reference book or target list. I have also done well on EBay over the years but again know your subject. Bronze and copper pennies are faked , but the usual Chinese offerings are fairly easy to spot to the trained eye. Look at the vendor’s feedbacks and if there are any complaints or they are new sellers steer clear. And I wouldn’t buy purported Celtic or Saxon coins on EBay without taking advice eg on this forum, as at any one time most are fakes.

Jerry

[dmw2602]

34 minutes ago, jelida said:

You would be well advised to attend a coin fair, such as those advertised in the back of Coin News. I go monthly to the Midland Coin Fair and have had many bargains as well as fairly priced offerings- but it does pay to know your subject, and don’t be afraid to take a reference book or target list. I have also done well on EBay over the years but again know your subject. Bronze and copper pennies are faked , but the usual Chinese offerings are fairly easy to spot to the trained eye. Look at the vendor’s feedbacks and if there are any complaints or they are new sellers steer clear. And I wouldn’t buy purported Celtic or Saxon coins on EBay without taking advice eg on this forum, as at any one time most are fakes.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, I missed the Yorkshire coin fair today as had other plans 😔 but will get there next time. Taking reference material is a great idea. Lost out on what I thought was a beauty on EBay today because I wasn’t confident enough to push the price up😒. I’ve not really started with hammered but enjoyed a cup of tea with Andy Gillis recently and think I will go to him when that time comes. 

Guess I need to have more patience. 
 

Again, really appreciate your input.

 

Best

Dean

[Rob]

Today was quite busy at Huddersfield with a rush early doors, though the quid pro-quo was an early finish. It was dead by 1:30. On the plus side, at least people were spending money this month, unlike last month when I took the princely sum of £31.

That was officially the worst fair I have ever done.

[Iannich48]

13 hours ago, dmw2602 said:

Thanks for the advice Paddy, appreciate the quick response.

 

I’ve picked a few things up from local auctions and did a lot of bulk buys at the start when I needed/wanted the dates etc. Not sure there would be much I could get from going through the boxes now but you never know and will continue to look ☺️. What’s the next step? Have picked up a few from Michael Gouby’s site who was also incredibly gracious with his advice. Lot’s more sites with crazy prices!!!

 

Example: I have 3 1860s that I can easily identify, and I’m sure I’ve overpaid for, but my 1865 (and many more) looks like I’ve made it myself 😂. 
 

Any thoughts always appreciated.
 

 

The Spink 'Coins of England' has colour pictures of lots of the Victorian bronze penny Obverses and Reverses, very useful. The latest one I have is 2022, but they have shown these pictures for many years.

[secret santa]

My website also has pictures. 

[dmw2602]

1 hour ago, secret santa said:

My website also has pictures. 

I seem to spend half my life on it 😂 it’s incredible

[Iannich48]

On 5/26/2025 at 1:38 PM, secret santa said:

My website also has pictures. 

Oh yes, that is the best numismatic pennies website by far.