English Hammered Copper

[Coinery]

I've just got hold of a copy of the Everson book, can anyone suggest any extra reading to supplement this book and series?

Apart from sniping the 'bay, where else would you look for these coins? I realise that for the most part they are too low in value to get single-lot recognition at the major auctions, so maybe coin fairs? Any thoughts?

[Colin G.]

I've just got hold of a copy of the Everson book, can anyone suggest any extra reading to supplement this book and series?

Apart from sniping the 'bay, where else would you look for these coins? I realise that for the most part they are too low in value to get single-lot recognition at the major auctions, so maybe coin fairs? Any thoughts?

They are an ideal coin to scope ebay for because they are often river finds. A certain R.P.Coins has some nice examples with provenance to get you started

[Coinery]

Sounds like a good start indeed!

I've often wondered why certain coin types are common river finds, is there a reason why?

[Colin G.]

Sounds like a good start indeed!

I've often wondered why certain coin types are common river finds, is there a reason why?

Due to their size/thickness they don't do very well below ground, so they do not tend to hold up well as detecting finds. Whereas in the river they seem to do really well as do many other base metal coins including tin. I understand that it was for a period of time a "farthing" to cross the river (Thames) and therefore there are quite a few to be found around this area for that reason. Whether that is fact or fiction I am not sure, but a high number of those out there are Thames finds

[Coinery]

Sounds like a good start indeed!

I've often wondered why certain coin types are common river finds, is there a reason why?

Due to their size/thickness they don't do very well below ground, so they do not tend to hold up well as detecting finds. Whereas in the river they seem to do really well as do many other base metal coins including tin. I understand that it was for a period of time a "farthing" to cross the river (Thames) and therefore there are quite a few to be found around this area for that reason. Whether that is fact or fiction I am not sure, but a high number of those out there are Thames finds

Thanks, Colin, makes good sense! Would you say Everson is the best work out there for these coin's? Other than Peck are there any other good reads on the subject you are aware of?

I took a look at Rob's farthings earlier, I'll revisit them again tomorrow, a couple of nice bits and, as you said, provenance a plenty! I was momentarily excited to find an ex Everson coin there, but it's not quite pretty enough for me, though I guess you've just got to have one in there!

[Peter]

CC bought Everson's collection and has been selling them.I prefer hammered silver farthings but good examples can make good money.

Happy hunting.

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Peter

[Coinery]

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

thanks for the info. Peter

And this is precisely what appeals to me! For such a pretty little coin it really surprises me that they are not greater prized. It's a pretty big series, that I think will keep my copper lusts satisfied AND within budget! Winner all round for me, especially if I can get a nice bit of provenance top-up along the way!

[Colin G.]

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

thanks for the info. Peter

And this is precisely what appeals to me! For such a pretty little coin it really surprises me that they are not greater prized. It's a pretty big series, that I think will keep my copper lusts satisfied AND within budget! Winner all round for me, especially if I can get a nice bit of provenance top-up along the way!

Exactly how I see them, Peck was the first attempt and Colin Cooke also did a lot of work in the series, but Tim has taken it to another level and the detail in the catalogue is much more robust and consistent. Another series where additions keep coming to light.

[Coinery]

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

thanks for the info. Peter

And this is precisely what appeals to me! For such a pretty little coin it really surprises me that they are not greater prized. It's a pretty big series, that I think will keep my copper lusts satisfied AND within budget! Winner all round for me, especially if I can get a nice bit of provenance top-up along the way!

Exactly how I see them, Peck was the first attempt and Colin Cooke also did a lot of work in the series, but Tim has taken it to another level and the detail in the catalogue is much more robust and consistent. Another series where additions keep coming to light.

Sounds fun! To kick-start the little project I've just ordered 3 from a well-respected dealer!

[Rob]

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

thanks for the info. Peter

And this is precisely what appeals to me! For such a pretty little coin it really surprises me that they are not greater prized. It's a pretty big series, that I think will keep my copper lusts satisfied AND within budget! Winner all round for me, especially if I can get a nice bit of provenance top-up along the way!

Exactly how I see them, Peck was the first attempt and Colin Cooke also did a lot of work in the series, but Tim has taken it to another level and the detail in the catalogue is much more robust and consistent. Another series where additions keep coming to light.

Sounds fun! To kick-start the little project I've just ordered 3 from a well-respected dealer!

Excellent choice, particularly the Lennox. Many thanks.

[Coinery]

They are De minimus to most dealers/collectors.

thanks for the info. Peter

And this is precisely what appeals to me! For such a pretty little coin it really surprises me that they are not greater prized. It's a pretty big series, that I think will keep my copper lusts satisfied AND within budget! Winner all round for me, especially if I can get a nice bit of provenance top-up along the way!

Exactly how I see them, Peck was the first attempt and Colin Cooke also did a lot of work in the series, but Tim has taken it to another level and the detail in the catalogue is much more robust and consistent. Another series where additions keep coming to light.

Sounds fun! To kick-start the little project I've just ordered 3 from a well-respected dealer!

Excellent choice, particularly the Lennox. Many thanks.

[Coinery]

I was going to pop this in the 'coin aquisition of the week' thread, but it's looking like that's going to be busy for a while! I do have the knack for putting coins on there, generally about two minutes before a new debate, or an influx of other purchases!

Anyway, and I hope Rob doesn't mind the abuse of copyright, I proudly present the opening 'mascot' coin to my 'English Hammered Copper' series.

That's it now, I'm sorted, all collection dilemas over for a long, long, while! I have:

1). Elizabeth I (all denominations, and in all metals when finances permit).

2). English Hammered Copper

3). Edward VII (just to keep my eye in on the 'modern' stuff). This nearly strayed into G5, but Elizabeth I and the die-project is going to get pricey, so I had to reign it in, E7 may also fall aside too, but I hope not!

4). And anything pretty (which I must quickly remove from this list [just as soon as I can get tablets for it] if the other 3 aren't to suffer)

First time I've felt focused and relaxed about coins EVER! I've been a coin whore for around 10-15 years now, at last I've become a monk!

[scott]

bought a bunch of very worn coppers that look like they are from the ground, one of those fathings was in there, quite worn so they DO survive.

but yea mainly rivier finds for this sort of thing.

[Coinery]

bought a bunch of very worn coppers that look like they are from the ground, one of those fathings was in there, quite worn so they DO survive.

but yea mainly rivier finds for this sort of thing.

A nice new adventure for me, I can't believe I stumbled across it so late!

[Colin G.]

bought a bunch of very worn coppers that look like they are from the ground, one of those fathings was in there, quite worn so they DO survive.

but yea mainly rivier finds for this sort of thing.

A nice new adventure for me, I can't believe I stumbled across it so late!

Prepare yourself for a lot of squinting at the punctuation and Privy marks, the counterfeits in this series are also fascinating, some of them are shockingly poor

[Coinery]

I was going to pop this in the 'coin aquisition of the week' thread, but it's looking like that's going to be busy for a while! I do have the knack for putting coins on there, generally about two minutes before a new debate, or an influx of other purchases!

Anyway, and I hope Rob doesn't mind the abuse of copyright, I proudly present the opening 'mascot' coin to my 'English Hammered Copper' series.

That's it now, I'm sorted, all collection dilemas over for a long, long, while! I have:

1). Elizabeth I (all denominations, and in all metals when finances permit).

2). English Hammered Copper

3). Edward VII (just to keep my eye in on the 'modern' stuff). This nearly strayed into G5, but Elizabeth I and the die-project is going to get pricey, so I had to reign it in, E7 may also fall aside too, but I hope not!

4). And anything pretty (which I must quickly remove from this list [just as soon as I can get tablets for it] if the other 3 aren't to suffer)

First time I've felt focused and relaxed about coins EVER! I've been a coin whore for around 10-15 years now, at last I've become a monk!

I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am with the 3 copper farthings Rob supplied. Amongst the prettiest coins I hold! The classic difference between exploded images, and in-hand viewing, can clearly be appreciated with these coins!

A good day, thank-you, Rob!

I will post all 3 when the camera next comes out!

[Peter]

They are worthy of study. and a bargain

[Coinery]

They are worthy of study. and a bargain

Their amazing little coins. What's truly amazing about one of the three is a small field of copper outside the outer-beads! Even under magnification the surface looks as though it was rolled yesterday, not a pit to be seen!

How does a micro-thin piece of 1600's copper survive in this mint state? Not to mention the hammered coin itself!

[Coinery]

Many thanks to Roger Shuttlewood, Colin Cooke, and Rob Pearce, the previous caring custodians of a rather pretty hammered copper (IMHO).

A pint of scrumpy, a lump of cheese, some gibbles (spring onions), a copy of Everson, and the above coin in a lighthouse flip ( ), a perfect day! It's a terrible shame you have to be so secretive about such pleasures when out!

[Coinery]

Any ideas what's going on with the Privy Mark?

180999770343

[Rob]

Any ideas what's going on with the Privy Mark?

180999770343

Not a clue unless it's a deformed bell.

[Coinery]

Any ideas what's going on with the Privy Mark?

180999770343

Not a clue unless it's a deformed bell.

That was my first guess, but very odd to say the least! I thought is could be a modern copy, but it's not known by Everson?

[Coinery]

Any ideas what's going on with the Privy Mark?

180999770343

Not a clue unless it's a deformed bell.

That was my first guess, but very odd to say the least! I thought is could be a modern copy, but it's not known by Everson?

So, it turns out to be a Maltravers (Type 2) Bell 'Counterfeit' farthing, which is confirmed as another die of CMBe-Be002 (die 2) on Ivan Butterworth's website http://www.hammered-farthings.com (see bottom image for comparisons) - thank-you very much to him for all his help and assistance in this matter.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Coinery

[Coinery]

It's not all £4 rose farthings! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAMES-1-COPPER-FARTHING-SPINK-2681-IRISH-OVAL-RARE-/150962335881?pt=UK_Coins_BritishHammered_RL&hash=item23260e7089