New Member

[RobJ]

I've just joined the forum today and I wanted to say hi to everyone

I've had an interest in coins since my younger days when I used to look around the old Flea Markets. There was always one chap with coins and medals and I used to love looking at them. I didn't buy any at the time but I have always kept an interest.

The only coins that I have ever collected as such are the various designs that we get on the 50p coins and £2 coins which where bought as presents and some that I have bought myself. I know that they have no real major value, which is not important to me, but I have a nice little collection of them.

So I decided that it was time to start to spread my interest and start collecting coins other than the odd commemorative. So I popped to my local bookshop and bought a few books so that I would at least have some idea of what I was doing and here I am.

Sorry to rattle on, I only really wanted to say hi and you've had half of my life story! lol

[Coppers]

Welcome aboard!

[RobJ]

Hi Coppers,

Thanks for the welcome

[azda]

Hi Coppers,

Thanks for the welcome

Welcome, so which books did you buy and which area are you thinking about starting with? Just asking out of curiosity.

[RobJ]

Hi Azda,

The books which I bought were Spink's Coins of England and the UK, Collectors Coins GB and The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins.

As for which area I'm thinking of starting with, I'm really not sure if I'm honest, lol There is such a broad range to choose from!

I rather like Farthings and Pennys, but I think it's a bit like opening a big tin of sweets, you need to nibble a few to find the ones you like.

[declanwmagee]

Hi Azda,

The books which I bought were Spink's Coins of England and the UK, Collectors Coins GB and The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins.

As for which area I'm thinking of starting with, I'm really not sure if I'm honest, lol There is such a broad range to choose from!

I rather like Farthings and Pennys, but I think it's a bit like opening a big tin of sweets, you need to nibble a few to find the ones you like.

well that's a pretty good start - you can go a long way with them 3.

Your life will never be the same again. Every bill you get from some nonsense like the gas board, you'll be thinking "ooh the coins I could buy with that".

[RobJ]

Hi Declan,

Thanks. I thought that it was not only important to have a couple of books that would tell me about different coins, types and eras, etc But also one that would help me to know what to look for in terms of grade.

Knowledge is power, as they say...

I think that way now about other things when the bills come through the letterbox, so I'm sure it won't be any different with coins, lol

[azda]

Hi Declan,

Thanks. I thought that it was not only important to have a couple of books that would tell me about different coins, types and eras, etc But also one that would help me to know what to look for in terms of grade.

Knowledge is power, as they say...

I think that way now about other things when the bills come through the letterbox, so I'm sure it won't be any different with coins, lol

A member of this forum wrote the grading book, red riley...

[RobJ]

Oh really? That is interesting! I know where to come now to ask advice and opinions on the grade of any coins that I may purchase lol

Seriously though, it is a truly excellent book, most informative and an essential to any coin collector, especially to a novice such as myself.

[davidrj]

I've just joined the forum today and I wanted to say hi to everyone

Hi Rob, welcome

David

[Peckris2]

Oh really? That is interesting! I know where to come now to ask advice and opinions on the grade of any coins that I may purchase lol

Welcome! And you'll be in good company, Azda already does just that

[RobJ]

Hi David and Peckris,

Thank you both for the welcome.

And you'll be in good company, Azda already does just that

Well, When in Rome... As They say lol

[Red Riley]

Oh really?

No, O'Riley.

Sorry couldn't resist... Welcome to our humble abode Rob and thanks for the kind words.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Red Riley

[RobJ]

Hi Red,

Thanks for the welcome.

Ha Ha! lol

You are very welcome and I meant what I said! I believe that credit should be given where credit is due.

I actually bought Spink first and when looking through I was thinking to myself that it's one thing to see coins listed as VF and EF etc, but it's quite another to actually know what they should look like and the areas to pay special attention too. I do know that grading is one of the most subjective and contentious issues of this hobby, but I really think that your book is an excellent place to start and is really essential to have!

[Peter]

Wellcome Rob and be wary of theses buggers sniping you on Ebay

[RobJ]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

[Colin G.]

Welcome to the forum, always good to see a new face.....my unbiased opinion would be go for the farthings

Get yourself to a local coin fair if there are any, it gives you a great opportunity to view allsorts, and get to see the coins in the flesh. Plenty of information on teh forum, but do not be afraid to ask for any help or info

[1949threepence]

Welcome Rob.

We're fairly informal here, so look forward to you settling in and posting in the various threads

[RobJ]

Hi Colin and 1949,

Thank you both for the welcome.

I'm starting to settle in nicely thanks, everyone has made me feel most welcome.

[1949threepence]

Hi Red,

Thanks for the welcome.

Ha Ha! lol

You are very welcome and I meant what I said! I believe that credit should be given where credit is due.

I actually bought Spink first and when looking through I was thinking to myself that it's one thing to see coins listed as VF and EF etc, but it's quite another to actually know what they should look like and the areas to pay special attention too. I do know that grading is one of the most subjective and contentious issues of this hobby, but I really think that your book is an excellent place to start and is really essential to have!

I bought that book back in May of last year, and it has proved absolutely invaluable (no exaggeration) to me in assessing the grades of potential coin buys surveyed by me on e bay and other sites.

[Hussulo]

Welcome Rob.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here.

[RobJ]

I bought that book back in May of last year, and it has proved absolutely invaluable (no exaggeration) to me in assessing the grades of potential coin buys surveyed by me on e bay and other sites.

I couldn't agree with you more 1949, it really is an invaluable book.

What surprised me was what actually constituted a certain grade and it's not hard at all to see why there is such contention. And I think that until there is a universally accepted standard which is adhered too throughout the coin collecting world, such contention will always exist.

Everyone will have their own ideas and opinions on grading which is why I think a book such as this is really essential for any coin collector - in particular novices - as perhaps those who do use will have at least have a standard reference guide to assist them in grading whether they are a collector or a dealer, and it will hopefully in some small way start to improve the overall grading standard.

[RobJ]

Hi Hussulo,

Thanks for the welcome.

[Peter]

Ebay has destroyed our grading system when their fines become EF.A recent coin fair a dealer was selling F 2/6's for (and marked GVF)

When I made a commet he did take offence but the neibouring dealer backen me up.

Some dealers both online and at fairs are the exception...one dealer I orded from phoned me to say I wouldn't like the coin.

[Red Riley]

Ebay has destroyed our grading system

Which, in all honesty, is why I wrote it. I had had enough of seeing coins on e-bay being exaggerated by as much as two grades. Experienced collectors could make their own way through this minefield but the less experienced and particularly kids were in danger of being well and truly ripped off.

Sorry if that sounds a bit sanctimonious but it did provide me with my motivation to keep going.