1937 Penny Die Variations

[RobJ]

Am I just a grumpy old man monotonously saying, 'things aren't as good as they used to be...'?

I think that is perhaps a case of you knowing what you like and liking what you know Red.

I was born just after Decimalization but I feel the same way about the small 5p, 10p and 50p Issues.

Horrible little things that they are. lol I would much rather have the larger versions any day.

[Peckris]

I think that the way that the way that my Collection is starting to develop I will collect in both types.

For example, with Decimal I have a set of the first Decimal Issues from 1968 (Plus a 1969 50p) a set from 1982 when the wording changed from 'New' to the value. Then I have the sets issued in 1982, 1985 and 1998 where the Obverse image changed.

I do think that shows and offers a good representation of Decimal coinage, however, it simply does not interest me personally to collect each and every set issued for each and every year.

Then I am also collecting £2 and 50p Commemorative Issues both ftom change and in BU along side them.

I have been thinking long and hard and I'm intending to do similar with Pre Decimal Coinage as well, without the countless minor variations.

Elizabeth II for me would be a set of the First Issue in 1953 and then the Second Issue in 1954. And one of each of the Crowns that were issued.

For George VI, a 1937 set, a 1947 set of Cupro Nickel coins and then a set of 1949 When 'IND IMP' was removed. Plus the Crowns.

George V is more complex as there were four Issues in his Reign, but I think that I will go for a set of 1911, 1920 Debased Silver, 1926 ME and a set of 1927/28. Again Plus the Crowns.

Edward Vii is quite straight forward for me as there would only be 1902 set plus the Crown.

Victoria, like George VI is quite complex with the various issues so I think that I will concentrate on the earlier Monarchs first but still purchase the coins that I would like as and when I encounter them.

On the other hand I'm starting to build a nice Date Run Farthing Collection, and I think that I will follow suit with Pennies and maybe even Half Pennies, as I am really starting to like Copper Coins.

I think that for me personally they would be from Edward VII to Elizabeth II, as if I'm honest, Victorian Copper simply does not excite me, except for the Young Head, which is by far my favourite design of any Monarch and one day I would really like a Young Head Farthing Date Run Collection.

With Elizabeth II and George VI I only really would like to collect UNC examples and for George V and Edward VII, I am aiming at EF examples. There are of course some exceptions of the harder dates and coins ( EG, 1949 Threepence, 1926 ME Penny and Half Crown, Wreath Crown, etc, etc.) so they would be in whichever Grade that I could not only afford but also justify as well.

I do know that I have a lot of work cut out for me and I'm under no illusion at all that it will take a long time and indeed money to build such a collection, but as it stands, that is the Collection that I would like to build.

I am in no rush and I intend to enjoy each and every moment and each and every coin as if it were the first.

After that, who knows! lol

That sounds an interesting and well thought-out strategy Rob. That will keep you going for quite a while.

You'd need a penny to go with your Eliz II type 2 set, as 1954 doesn't have one (in our price bracket!) - you might factor in a very cheap 1967 set which would have the twin plusses of 1) giving you the penny and 2) being the last predecimal currency set too. UNC 1954 stuff will set you back a few bob but it will be a good investment.

With 1902, you should be able to afford EF over time, as it's by far the most affordable date in a very difficult series. With 1920, make sure you go for the 'recut shallow portrait' from halfcrown down to shilling - that way you kill two birds with one stone : the alloy change, and the new obverse dies. With Victoria, a good start would be 1887, as the silver is by far the cheapest for that reign, and supplies are plentiful. Then after that, 1893 would be not too difficult (though with the added complication that you would have to add in the 1895 bronze not 1893, as that series begins in two separate years for different metals).

Good luck, and good hunting

[RobJ]

Thanks Peckris.

I thought that like my Decimal Collection to build a Pre Decimal Collection in a similar way would again be a good way to show a representative collection of coins from the different Monarchs.

I think that as a whole the most expensive Coins to collect will be the Florin, Half Crown and Crown for each issue. As you said for the 1954 issue, for example, it will cost a fair bit, but it makes sense to me to purchase in those Grades as if I do ever sell my collection hopefully the initial outlay will turn into a nice investment.

That is a good idea about the 1967 set. I think I will purchase a 1961 Penny as well, as that is the next Elizabeth II Penny after 1953 Issue, excluding the extremely rare 1954 Penny.

Thanks for the advice on the George V Second Issue of Debased Silver and the Victorian 1887 Issues. That makes very good sense to me.

I have already started to purchase some of the Coins for my collection. 1893, 1911 and 1926 ME Shillings, 1895 and 1902 Farthings, Half Pennies and and other 'Copper' from the various George V Issues all of them in EF.

One of the chaps that I usually Purchase my coins from said that he will try to find the George VI and Elizabeth II Issues that I would like for my collection, so all in all I think that I'm making a good start.

As I said, I am in no rush at all to build my collection, I personally think that half of the fun of collecting is finding the Coins that you would like. I'm sure that if I looked online or contacted one of the larger Dealers then they could find the entire collection that I would like to build, but where is the fun in that? lol

[Peckris]

As I said, I am in no rush at all to build my collection, I personally think that half of the fun of collecting is finding the Coins that you would like. I'm sure that if I looked online or contacted one of the larger Dealers then they could find the entire collection that I would like to build, but where is the fun in that? lol

True! Though don't be frightened off by sets just because it "shortens the hunt". The 1887 set of silver appears at auction from time to time, and even so you might STILL need to track down one of the sixpences, plus all the bronze.

[RobJ]

True! Though don't be frightened off by sets just because it "shortens the hunt". The 1887 set of silver appears at auction from time to time, and even so you might STILL need to track down one of the sixpences, plus all the bronze.

Very true indeed.

I certainly would not be put off from purchasing a set Peckris. It would really depend on the overall quality of the Coins in that set, and of course the price as well. If I did see a set that contained nice Coins and the price was right for me then I would definitely purchase it.

In fact I was offered a Elizabeth II 1953 set in UNC and a George VI 1937 set with the Copper in UNC and the Silver in gEF today. I will wait until after Christmas before I pop over and have a look, but depending on the Coins and the price I may very well purchase them for my collection.