Collecting coins

[sparkey0151]

Hi all, i have just started collecting uk coins, i am thinking of just collecting silver up to queen victoria, i do metal detecting and i am very interested in Gb history and finding coins and then finding out about my finds, but sadley many of coin finds are bronze or copper and are badley weathered or have plough damage, so any advice or direction in persuing my hobbie i would be greatfull.

regards john

[Rob]

You have set yourself a difficult task if you only intend to collect what you dig up. You could end up with literally anything. If you are going to purchase coins, then this is a frequently asked question. There is no right or wrong way to collect, so just do what takes your fancy. One of each monarch, a specific denomination, a specific reign, a theme - all have been done before. On the forum we have people who collect farthings, Victorian silver, Charles I, type collectors, milled, pennies, hammered, Roman, mediaeval, or in my case diversity.

I can't tell you what to collect as only you can decide what you like, but it is fair to say that if buying coins, get the best you can afford and don't buy in haste. Very few things are unique, so with patience a better example will most likely appear in the next few years.

[Michael-Roo]

Where about in Liverpool are you detecting?

[sparkey0151]

I am in wavertree liverpool, its not realy the coins i find metaldetecting that i am basing my coin collecting on, the quality of the coin finds are rarley that good, my thoughts are to get a collection together that may be an investment for my grandchildren etc.

[Michael-Roo]

You'll be detecting in the Mystery then?

[Rob]

I am in wavertree liverpool, its not realy the coins i find metaldetecting that i am basing my coin collecting on, the quality of the coin finds are rarley that good, my thoughts are to get a collection together that may be an investment for my grandchildren etc.

Ah, the eternal contradiction. Collecting for investment or for pleasure? Rarely do the two coincide. You might decide to collect VF coins of a certain type because you decide that is all you can afford. What do you do when an UNC piece appears at the going rate for an EF? Do you buy it because it's a bargain? Conversely, if you decide that only the best will do, what about the VF coin at Fine price? Both things are clearly bargains, with the first clearly a good investment because the market will always find a home for the best pieces.

Some or even many things will not float your boat, but would nevertheless be good investments with hindsight.

Your grandchildren may not appreciate what you have accumulated for them. In that case, make sure the coins are going to appreciate over inflation (which is something you are unlikely to be able to predict).

[sparkey0151]

I was thinking coins upto victoria seem to have more value in most cases, they also do attract me more because of the possible history and the silver i have found and some of the lads have found are in far better shape than the copper and bronze, so for me it feels the way to go. I dont bother detecting in the Mystery i have joined a club, also i dont care much for night hawking it gives good metaldetectorists a bad rep.

regards john