help please

[Guest dsp1980]

After searching the web I came across your web site and hope someone can help!

I have been left a coin collection which I have no idea what to do with but one thing I do need is some advice either to not get ripped off if I decide to sell and more importantly for a valuation so I can get it on my house insurance. Unfortunately I do not know the lingo but I have a folder of lots of coins from around the world. But more relevant to this website 4 - 5 large folders with hundreds of coins in each in date order ill try and give some examples below

i.e. - sixpenny each one from 1914 to 1967

Half penny from 1862 to 1942

Penny’s from 1861 to 2009!

The list goes on and there are also some really old ones like half penny’s from 1743 and 1746

There are hundreds! also folders of coins after decimalisation i.e. a ten pence from every year to 2009 but also 1p's,2p's,5p's,10p's,20p's,50p's,£1's,and £2 since they came out to 2009

The list is huge !

Any ideas gratefully received

[Red Riley]

The answer unfortunately, is not as easy as you hoped because the coins could be worth thousands or next to nothing, it all depends on their condition. It is clearly not feasible to post a picture of each coin, but just as a taster pick one or two at random, and post pictures on here. A few guidelines though, generally speaking the post 1971 stuff is unlikely to be worth much, which generally applies to most coins of Elizabeth II. Anyway, just post a couple of pictures and we'll no doubt do our best.

[TomGoodheart]

The difficulty with advising you is that the value of a coin depends almost entirely on its condition. Yes, there are rarities, but let's for the minute assume that you don't have any of those and look at what state these coins are in. It would help if you could post a photo of a couple. A digital camera or a flatbed scanner should give us a better idea.

The other thing that might help is an idea of where the coins came from. There are many people, like my Dad, who pick up 'nice' coins from their change or travels and make a collection of them. Unfortunately for the most part these collections have minimal value.

Certainly the recent stuff (from 1970 on) will probably have little value unless in excellent condition. Even the older coins (1920s and before) will need to be in decent nick.

Here for example is an 1862 halfpenny that sold on eBay for £28

Vicky 1

And here, one that didn't sell for £2.99 (probably because it looks like someone cleaned it with brasso! NEVER clean coins!)

Vicky 2

If your coins all resemble the first one, maybe they will be worth valuing and insuring.

Edited June 8, 2010 by TomGoodheart

[Peckris]

The difficulty with advising you is that the value of a coin depends almost entirely on its condition. Yes, there are rarities, but let's for the minute assume that you don't have any of those and look at what state these coins are in. It would help if you could post a photo of a couple. A digital camera or a flatbed scanner should give us a better idea.

The other thing that might help is an idea of where the coins came from. There are many people, like my Dad, who pick up 'nice' coins from their change or travels and make a collection of them. Unfortunately for the most part these collections have minimal value.

Certainly the recent stuff (from 1970 on) will probably have little value unless in excellent condition. Even the older coins (1920s and before) will need to be in decent nick.

Here for example is an 1862 halfpenny that sold on eBay for £28

Vicky 1

And here, one that didn't sell for £2.99 (probably because it looks like someone cleaned it with brasso! NEVER clean coins!)

Vicky 2

If your coins all resemble the first one, maybe they will be worth valuing and insuring.

So sorry to add to the confusion! Actually both those coins shown above are better than average. The upper one is obviously nicer, and if you had a rare/scarce date in that condition, it could be worth hundreds (1862 is one of the commoner dates - most bun halfpennies in that condition are worth considerably more; pennies even more; farthings less). The lower one is also in reasonable condition, but it looks blotchy which is why it clearly didn't sell.

'Average' condition ranges from worn but still readable, to barely readable. Only rare coins in that condition have a value.

Scan or photo a few examples to show us (pre-1937, preferably 19th Century - don't bother with the modern : only strictly uncirculated coins have any significant value, with a few exceptions. But also bear in mind : silver coins pre-1947 contain 50% real silver; pre-1920 nearly 100%. Those can be sold for scrap value even if badly worn)

Edited June 8, 2010 by Peckris

[TomGoodheart]

Did we scare him off?

[Gary D]

Did we scare him off?

Well, you nearly scared me off.

[Peter]

Did we scare him off?

Well, you nearly scared me off.

I'm a nervous wreck with such sharp banter.....nurse.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Peter

[TomGoodheart]

Did we scare him off?

Well, you nearly scared me off.

Well!

After a telling off like that I definitely need to lie down in a darkened room with a medicinal bottle of whiskey.

And perhaps a nurse too. Just in case I take a funny turn.

Edited June 11, 2010 by TomGoodheart

[Peckris]

Did we scare him off?

Well, you nearly scared me off.

Well!

After a telling off like that I definitely need to lie down in a darkened room with a medicinal bottle of whiskey.

And perhaps a nurse too. Just in case I take a funny turn.

If your turn is REALLY funny, I'll buy tickets

[TomGoodheart]

Boom boom!