Advice on coin prices for a newbie?

[Colin G.]

Welcome to the forum, with your price range you could easily get a good run of farthings going back in decent grade....obviously I am slightly biased

You certainly have not made any bad purchases with the prices you have paid, and seeking advice at an early stage is a very wise move. Get yourself to a local coin fair as well if you get the chance, it gives you a great opportunity to see various denominations/styles in the flesh. One of the most important things to do is collect coins that interest you. Your tastes will change with time, and your collection will keep redefining itself, but it is important that you enjoy what you collect...in my opinion

[Mongo]

Welcome to the forum, with your price range you could easily get a good run of farthings going back in decent grade....obviously I am slightly biased

You certainly have not made any bad purchases with the prices you have paid, and seeking advice at an early stage is a very wise move. Get yourself to a local coin fair as well if you get the chance, it gives you a great opportunity to see various denominations/styles in the flesh. One of the most important things to do is collect coins that interest you. Your tastes will change with time, and your collection will keep redefining itself, but it is important that you enjoy what you collect...in my opinion

Thanks! I like farthings too, and pennnies, and halfpennies, and sixpences etc. etc.! I think that I will just buy any coins that I really like the look of at the moment, then down the line a bit see how I feel about specializing in certain denominations. I might go for a nice grade coin of every denomination (that I can afford) and see them in the flesh, im sure there will be one that really catches my imagination

[TomGoodheart]

Thanks Tom! I had only just posted a question about grade, thats interesting you say you can find BU coins in your change... that must be my noobness! I assumed that if a coin was ever in curculation it would never be classed as BU, Im learning!

Certainly smaller coins such as pennies and 5ps can be found in the same condition they were when they left the mint. The problem is that coins leaving the mint are not always perfect. Edges of one coin knock dints into another, there are often metal flaws. The only 'perfect' coin is probably specimen or proof issues. But people hold on to nice coins and then decide to use them or even break into specimen sets, so it's certainly possible to find very nice examples of coins even 20 years old with a bit of luck!

(I guess I shouldn't perhaps use the term BU, when really I mean nice, shiny and with no signs or blemishes from circulation (such as finger marks or suggestions of being 'wiped' which can lead to very fine marks that spoil the sheen)).

[Mongo]

Thanks Tom! I had only just posted a question about grade, thats interesting you say you can find BU coins in your change... that must be my noobness! I assumed that if a coin was ever in curculation it would never be classed as BU, Im learning!

Certainly smaller coins such as pennies and 5ps can be found in the same condition they were when they left the mint. The problem is that coins leaving the mint are not always perfect. Edges of one coin knock dints into another, there are often metal flaws. The only 'perfect' coin is probably specimen or proof issues. But people hold on to nice coins and then decide to use them or even break into specimen sets, so it's certainly possible to find very nice examples of coins even 20 years old with a bit of luck!

(I guess I shouldn't perhaps use the term BU, when really I mean nice, shiny and with no signs or blemishes from circulation (such as finger marks or suggestions of being 'wiped' which can lead to very fine marks that spoil the sheen)).

I will definitely be checking my change from now on!

[Paulus]

Welcome to the forum, with your price range you could easily get a good run of farthings going back in decent grade....obviously I am slightly biased

You certainly have not made any bad purchases with the prices you have paid, and seeking advice at an early stage is a very wise move. Get yourself to a local coin fair as well if you get the chance, it gives you a great opportunity to see various denominations/styles in the flesh. One of the most important things to do is collect coins that interest you. Your tastes will change with time, and your collection will keep redefining itself, but it is important that you enjoy what you collect...in my opinion

Thanks! I like farthings too, and pennnies, and halfpennies, and sixpences etc. etc.! I think that I will just buy any coins that I really like the look of at the moment, then down the line a bit see how I feel about specializing in certain denominations. I might go for a nice grade coin of every denomination (that I can afford) and see them in the flesh, im sure there will be one that really catches my imagination

Or you might try an example from every monarch. Then an example of every denomination from every monarch. Then every variety. And every year. Then upgrade the Fs to VF+. Help me someone, PLEASE help me!!

[azda]

Welcome to the forum, with your price range you could easily get a good run of farthings going back in decent grade....obviously I am slightly biased

You certainly have not made any bad purchases with the prices you have paid, and seeking advice at an early stage is a very wise move. Get yourself to a local coin fair as well if you get the chance, it gives you a great opportunity to see various denominations/styles in the flesh. One of the most important things to do is collect coins that interest you. Your tastes will change with time, and your collection will keep redefining itself, but it is important that you enjoy what you collect...in my opinion

Thanks! I like farthings too, and pennnies, and halfpennies, and sixpences etc. etc.! I think that I will just buy any coins that I really like the look of at the moment, then down the line a bit see how I feel about specializing in certain denominations. I might go for a nice grade coin of every denomination (that I can afford) and see them in the flesh, im sure there will be one that really catches my imagination

Or you might try an example from every monarch. Then an example of every denomination from every monarch. Then every variety. And every year. Then upgrade the Fs to VF+. Help me someone, PLEASE help me!!

You've dug your hole Paul

[Debbie]

And don't forget all the British Empire coins......

Welcome to the forum Mongo, you'll learn loads here but do be warned it can be very addictive!

[Mongo]

And don't forget all the British Empire coins......

Welcome to the forum Mongo, you'll learn loads here but do be warned it can be very addictive!

Thanks Debbie! Empire coins?.... DOH! even more to confuse me

Can anyone please explain what "detector find" implies when in a coin description? Is it a good or bad thing?

[Paulus]

And don't forget all the British Empire coins......

Welcome to the forum Mongo, you'll learn loads here but do be warned it can be very addictive!

Thanks Debbie! Empire coins?.... DOH! even more to confuse me

Can anyone please explain what "detector find" implies when in a coin description? Is it a good or bad thing?

If to be believed, the coin was discovered using a metal detector ... not quite sure why sellers state that, possibly to explain the grubbiness or otherwise unattractive condition, lack of provenance, avoid comebacks, make the buyer think it's a bargain? Getting too cynical now!!

[Peter]

Detector finds are often barrelled this tends to wear detail.

There good and bad coins found with a detector.Some coins do get plough damage.

It does help to be able to ID the coins.

[Mongo]

Thanks guys, its just that I have seen some nice coins that I like the look of and wanted to be sure "detector find" does not mean you should always stay away from them.

[1949threepence]

Welcome to the forum, Mongo, and good luck with your collection which is obviously now in its incipient stages.

It's difficult for me to add to the wealth of excellent replies you've already received. Suffice it to say that the level of knowledge here is absolutely outstanding, and we all specialise in different areas. I've collected pennies, shillings and brass threepences. I've got all pennies for every year from 1860 to 1967, except for the 1869.

As others have already said, it is best if you can aim for the best grade possible on every occasion. Although more expensive, if you are to be a serious collector, you won't regret it in the end. Of course, many start as casual collectors ~ I did myself ~ and become much more serious in the fullness of time. It's then you start wanting to upgrade the stock you have. Eventually, though, you do reach a point where you are totally happy with specimens from certain years, even if there are better ones available. There's just something about some coins which you really take to, and you would not exchange those coins for anything else.

Anyway, all the best, and never hesitate to ask for advice should you need it. Somebody will always be able to help you

[Mongo]

Welcome to the forum, Mongo, and good luck with your collection which is obviously now in its incipient stages.

It's difficult for me to add to the wealth of excellent replies you've already received. Suffice it to say that the level of knowledge here is absolutely outstanding, and we all specialise in different areas. I've collected pennies, shillings and brass threepences. I've got all pennies for every year from 1860 to 1967, except for the 1869.

As others have already said, it is best if you can aim for the best grade possible on every occasion. Although more expensive, if you are to be a serious collector, you won't regret it in the end. Of course, many start as casual collectors ~ I did myself ~ and become much more serious in the fullness of time. It's then you start wanting to upgrade the stock you have. Eventually, though, you do reach a point where you are totally happy with specimens from certain years, even if there are better ones available. There's just something about some coins which you really take to, and you would not exchange those coins for anything else.

Anyway, all the best, and never hesitate to ask for advice should you need it. Somebody will always be able to help you

Thanks threepence! Thats helpful, so even if I can only afford a poor grade of a coin I really like, I can upgrade it later as funds become available... sounds like a plan.

[Mongo]

I will post your goody bag today

John.

The coins arrived today, thanks John! It was very nice of you, I particularly like the look of the 1935 Penny. It is also helpful to see more dominations in the flesh, help me decide what I would like to buy in the future

Thans again,

Chris.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Mongo

[azda]

Thanks guys, its just that I have seen some nice coins that I like the look of and wanted to be sure "detector find" does not mean you should always stay away from them.

Well, that depends. There are 2 kinds of detector finds, the genuine ones and those that are actually fake coins and people implying they were detector finds so as to fool a buyer into buying the fake coin, so yes, do be wary of these.and if in doubt, ask first before you potentially lose money

[Coinery]

The coins arrived today, thanks John! It was very nice of you, I particularly like the look of the 1935 Penny. It is also helpful to see more "DOMINATIONS IN THE FLESH," help me decide what I would like to buy in the future

Thans again,

Chris.

Could probably recommend that you stay away from such distractions, you'll never get anything done! Put me off-track for a good 20 years

[Mongo]

The coins arrived today, thanks John! It was very nice of you, I particularly like the look of the 1935 Penny. It is also helpful to see more "DOMINATIONS IN THE FLESH," help me decide what I would like to buy in the future

Thans again,

Chris.

Could probably recommend that you stay away from such distractions, you'll never get anything done! Put me off-track for a good 20 years

Ooooops! My secret is out

[Colin G.]

Thanks guys, its just that I have seen some nice coins that I like the look of and wanted to be sure "detector find" does not mean you should always stay away from them.

Well, that depends. There are 2 kinds of detector finds, the genuine ones and those that are actually fake coins and people implying they were detector finds so as to fool a buyer into buying the fake coin, so yes, do be wary of these.and if in doubt, ask first before you potentially lose money

Many responsible detectorists also record via UKDFD or PAS, so whilst it does not guarantee authenticity of the find, or the accuracy of the information contained in the record, if it has a UKDFD ref or a PAS reference, at least you have a bit of potential provenance, and the find is likely to be from a responsible detectorist

[TomGoodheart]

Can anyone please explain what "detector find" implies when in a coin description? Is it a good or bad thing?

Neither (automatically) good or bad. The Middleham hoard (1993), Prestbury hoard (2005), Bedale hoard (2009) ... all detector finds. So in some ways detector found coins can add to our knowledge and to the availablility of particular types. I'd guess most hammered coins were found at some point rather than saved and passed through families to collectors, certainly the earlier ones, and of those most were likely buried. Nowadays rather than finds being made when buildings were demolished or farmland ploughed I suspect the the majority have involved using a metal detector.

On the other hand, whereas people used to claim a coin was from a house clearance or deceased relative (I know nothing about this, I am just selling it) to cover the fact that they were listing a replica on ebay, nowadays some people claim they are 'detector finds'. If you look up both the PAS and UKDFD database you will find Trevor Ashmore copies have been logged there as found. Did someone bury them as a bit of fun? Who knows. Just that a 'detector found' coin is not always a coin ... or found.

Knowledge, as always, is power.

[SEnumis]

Welcome Mongo to what is a fascinating hobby. Coins (can be) true works of art in your pocket.

[Mongo]

Thanks for all the advice, its most helpful!

Browsing the net I have just come accross an online coin shop that has prices that seem cheap, example: an EF grade 1917 shilling for £12.99, or an AU one for £25.99.

Does that sound too cheap? It is on "special offer", but being a noob I would not know if it is correctly graded from the photos.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Mongo

[azda]

Without pictures its impossible to tell a grade

[Mongo]

Without pictures its impossible to tell a grade

Is it ok to post a link to the coin I mentioned... It being on a commercial website?

[Mongo]

Here are the pics of the coin listed as EF, I blacked out the company name in case it is against forum rules...

[azda]

REV has a nice big ding on the lions shoulder, i think you can get a little better, they are not uncommon. I'd personally say it was more VF/GVF ish

Edited May 29, 2012 by azda