Crowns or Halfcrowns?

[Accumulator]

As regulars will know, I've been concentrating on my penny collection for some time and would expect this always to be my main focus of attention. In addition, I do have a reasonable collection of other denominations which I've accumulated over the years. These have tended to take a back seat to the pennies though.

I'm toying with the idea of selecting another denomination, to provide a second focus to the collection. I admit to being a series collector and feel happier assembling date runs (sorry Rob). The most obvious choice would be half pennies, as I have several thousand bagged away, but I want to go for something completely different and feel that silver would provide this. For some reason (maybe my need of reading glasses) I do prefer larger coins. I also want something which allows me to extend the collection back through the multiple reigns of the hammered era.

The most obvious choices would be crowns or half crowns. For the dates it covers, ESC lists around 400 coins of each denomination so there is a roughly equal scope for the collection of either. Prior to the Commonwealth era, half crowns are perhaps more numerous but available examples of such coins would be extremely rare anyway. The costs also appear to be similar with crowns perhaps slightly more expensive but with significant rarities of both denominations fetching equally high prices.

My starting point for either is much the same. I have good examples of the 'easier' 20th century coins and a smattering of earlier coins.

So finally I need to make a decision. I do like the feel of crowns and the eye appeal of large coins but I'm open to suggestion.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Peter]

Hmm

Both denominations have easy and hard series even in the 20C (Wreath Crowns & Edward V11 halfcrowns) 19C about the same (fairly easy)

Once you get to the 18C Crowns become very expensive.

What about Florins....you can start at 1849 for the milled series.

[Gary D]

I must admit the crowns are my favorite part of my collection.

[Hello17]

Hmm

Both denominations have easy and hard series even in the 20C (Wreath Crowns & Edward V11 halfcrowns) 19C about the same (fairly easy)

Once you get to the 18C Crowns become very expensive.

What about Florins....you can start at 1849 for the milled series.

Some Florins go expensive aswell.

Shillings on the other hand are much nicer to the wallet.

Threepences and sixpences are even cheaper but not as interesting to me.

[circusbear]

personally,i prefer halfcrowns especially the young head victoria type Always find it silghtly easier than crowns to find them in better grades

[VickySilver]

Yes, early Vicky halfcrowns are the best and extended for some nice ones. Very nice - and I will not be there to compete. Sold some nice ones not long ago, sad to say.

[Nick]

Not a easy choice. No matter which you choose, there are a great number of really difficult years that will present a challenge.

[choolie]

Yes just to get one nice example might cost a few hundred quid.

[argentumandcoins]

You're already pushing prices up on Pennies in auctions so go for the Crowns as I don't collect them

There is also the added bonus of being able to acquire some good examples from members of the forum

[davidrj]

You're already pushing prices up on Pennies

Agree it's getting harder and harder to upgrade bronze on my limited budget, main reason I've diversified into finding higher grade foreign "pennies"

[Accumulator]

You're already pushing prices up on Pennies

Agree it's getting harder and harder to upgrade bronze on my limited budget, main reason I've diversified into finding higher grade foreign "pennies"

You can't agree with him! That's tantamount to blaming me for single handedly pushing up the prices of all bronze pennies.

[TomGoodheart]

Looking back to my sort of area, my impression is that hammered crowns tend to be found in full-flan / round / unclipped condition more frequently than the half crowns. Now I'm not suggesting you determine your collecting area solely on the reign of Charles I, but if you like a nice round coin then maybe crowns are the way to go?

Either way, the earlier you go the more you will end up paying. However, both denominations are popular with collectors, so it's likely the occasional nice piece will come on the market so you'll never be short of coins to aspire to.

The main thing is to stay clear of hammered shillings. All those different bust designs? Bah! Much nicer to have row upon row of coins with some bloke on a horse all looking the same.

[davidrj]

You're already pushing prices up on Pennies

You can't agree with him! That's tantamount to blaming me for single handedly pushing up the prices of all bronze pennies.

Oops sorry! Got to blame someone though, and my cat swears it isn't his fault

[Hello17]

You're already pushing prices up on Pennies in auctions so go for the Crowns as I don't collect them

There is also the added bonus of being able to acquire some good examples from members of the forum

I agree, i don't collect crowns which i shouldn't have told my nearest - dealer

i would go with crowns if i was you , as they arn't named after something

[Peckris]

It all comes down in the end to which you prefer. I myself favour halfcrowns over crowns as I tend not think of crowns as "real" coins, i.e. the sort that got issued for circulating and spending. They were never minted as a "regular denomination" after 1822 apart from 1887 - 1901. Wreath, Gothic, and George III crowns are something of a special case. Not only are they all very beautiful, they were issued partly or mainly for collectors which makes them rather appealing. In the 20th Century and beyond, most crowns are commemoratives.

If you're attracted to varieties, there are more to be found in halfcrowns, especially post-1816. And, of course, if you like date runs then it has to be halfcrowns. And just to add a touch of symmetry, the penny and halfcrown are pretty close in size so would be an aesthetically satisfying direction to go.

[Accumulator]

It all comes down in the end to which you prefer. I myself favour halfcrowns over crowns as I tend not think of crowns as "real" coins, i.e. the sort that got issued for circulating and spending. They were never minted as a "regular denomination" after 1822 apart from 1887 - 1901. Wreath, Gothic, and George III crowns are something of a special case. Not only are they all very beautiful, they were issued partly or mainly for collectors which makes them rather appealing. In the 20th Century and beyond, most crowns are commemoratives.

If you're attracted to varieties, there are more to be found in halfcrowns, especially post-1816. And, of course, if you like date runs then it has to be halfcrowns. And just to add a touch of symmetry, the penny and halfcrown are pretty close in size so would be an aesthetically satisfying direction to go.

Thank you all for your input, it's much appreciated! I hadn't really thought too much about the "regular denomination" angle. I can certainly see that collecting coins designed for circulation has the edge over collecting those just produced for the purpose, so that has to be a factor. I do very much like the design of the 19C crowns though. Hmmm... think I'll have another look through the coins I already have, go through a few auction catalogues and price lists and try to come to a conclusion. I'm not going to rush though, if only for the sake of my wallet! And John, whatever I go for, I'll certainly check out member's sites

[TomGoodheart]

It all comes down in the end to which you prefer. I myself favour halfcrowns over crowns as I tend not think of crowns as "real" coins, i.e. the sort that got issued for circulating and spending. They were never minted as a "regular denomination" after 1822 apart from 1887 - 1901. Wreath, Gothic, and George III crowns are something of a special case. Not only are they all very beautiful, they were issued partly or mainly for collectors which makes them rather appealing. In the 20th Century and beyond, most crowns are commemoratives.

If you're attracted to varieties, there are more to be found in halfcrowns, especially post-1816. And, of course, if you like date runs then it has to be halfcrowns. And just to add a touch of symmetry, the penny and halfcrown are pretty close in size so would be an aesthetically satisfying direction to go.

Half-crowns were certainly a useful denomination right from the 17th century. They were used to buy things and circulated, whereas my feeling is that early crowns were as much bullion as anything. I can't see an average bloke having much use for a crown in Stuart days, as evidenced by the fact that the smaller denominations are much commoner in hoards.

Historical interest is part of the hobbby I like. But if you want aesthetic, crowns seem better struck and/or preserved on average. Some of the 17th century half-crowns are very oddly shaped and poorly struck by comparison. It's whichever appeals most to you, both give a decent few centuries scope for collecting!

Oh, and to whet your appetite, here's a half-crown commemorating Charlie winning the relay race at school. And that despite the other chaps throwing their things at him to put him off. What bounders! And bravo Charlie!

Courtesy AMR Coins.

[argentumandcoins]

It all comes down in the end to which you prefer. I myself favour halfcrowns over crowns as I tend not think of crowns as "real" coins, i.e. the sort that got issued for circulating and spending. They were never minted as a "regular denomination" after 1822 apart from 1887 - 1901. Wreath, Gothic, and George III crowns are something of a special case. Not only are they all very beautiful, they were issued partly or mainly for collectors which makes them rather appealing. In the 20th Century and beyond, most crowns are commemoratives.

If you're attracted to varieties, there are more to be found in halfcrowns, especially post-1816. And, of course, if you like date runs then it has to be halfcrowns. And just to add a touch of symmetry, the penny and halfcrown are pretty close in size so would be an aesthetically satisfying direction to go.

Thank you all for your input, it's much appreciated! I hadn't really thought too much about the "regular denomination" angle. I can certainly see that collecting coins designed for circulation has the edge over collecting those just produced for the purpose, so that has to be a factor. I do very much like the design of the 19C crowns though. Hmmm... think I'll have another look through the coins I already have, go through a few auction catalogues and price lists and try to come to a conclusion. I'm not going to rush though, if only for the sake of my wallet! And John, whatever I go for, I'll certainly check out member's sites

CROWNS, CROWNS, CROWNS. If I say it often enough it will subliminally imprint upon you (he says hopefully)

I agree with Peck but the less competition in the halfcrown market the better

[Rob]

Collect both. You aren't going to be able to complete either denomination. Unless you win the lottery it will be a financial non-starter and you wouldn't be able to fill all the holes even if you had the money available due to the number of unique items, something that applies to all denominations.

[Red Riley]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

[Rob]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

True, the overhang from the Bole collection is going to influence the market for a while yet.

[Accumulator]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

True, the overhang from the Bole collection is going to influence the market for a while yet.

Interesting idea, but if I was happy with smaller coins I would probably stick with pennies as these go back even further. I just like the look and feel of the larger currency.

[argentumandcoins]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

True, the overhang from the Bole collection is going to influence the market for a while yet.

Interesting idea, but if I was happy with smaller coins I would probably stick with pennies as these go back even further. I just like the look and feel of the larger currency.

So does my wife

[Accumulator]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

True, the overhang from the Bole collection is going to influence the market for a while yet.

Interesting idea, but if I was happy with smaller coins I would probably stick with pennies as these go back even further. I just like the look and feel of the larger currency.

So does my wife

Is she out a lot?

[Peter]

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

True, the overhang from the Bole collection is going to influence the market for a while yet.

Interesting idea, but if I was happy with smaller coins I would probably stick with pennies as these go back even further. I just like the look and feel of the larger currency.

So does my wife

Is she out a lot?

A Penny for your thoughts.