Hmmm...British coins today.

Fairlaneman · December 18, 2003 6:38AM

Went hunting again today. As usual coins were bought that looked nice. Some books must be bought to find out about some of these that are being bought. This one was purchased because it was the only date the dealer had. All together 14 British coins were found.

Cheers

Ken

1jester · December 18, 2003 7:00AM

Keep up the good work, Ken! Soon you won't have enough gas money for all those nice Fords of yours.

Fairlaneman · December 18, 2003 7:09AM

Jeez how can a person run out of gas money when 14 coins can be bought for 71 bucks. These seem to be the Deal of the Century to me after buying Merc Dimes for 20 years off and on.

Only problem is that I have no clue if these are good purchases or not. Really that does not matter because the coins are darn good looking in my opinion.

Ken

newbiecollector · December 18, 2003 7:17AM

<< <i>Really that does not matter because the coins are darn good looking in my opinion >>

That is what it is all about...IMHO

Aethelred · December 18, 2003 8:45AM

<< <i>Only problem is that I have no clue if these are good purchases or not. >>

If you are happy, they are good purchases. You might want to get a new copy of Spink to help you see what you should be paying.

coinkat · December 18, 2003 9:49AM

Fairlaneman:

The Spink 2004 catalog cost me $35. It helps because prices for quality British coins have increased... there is a certain shock value with the increases, but personally, I think you can still get alot of coin for the money in comparison to similar US Coins.

There are several British/world coin collectors that post here fairly regularly so questions are always welcome...

Fairlaneman · December 18, 2003 11:04AM

Spink ?

Is that a price guide or will it also help with identification ? Would a large book store have this also ?

What should have the first coin shown originally cost ? I think it is a high AU coin by US standards. I see very little wear on the coin but the luster is broken especially on the reverse, on the guys face. Heck I do not know how to descibe these coins.

It will take a little while to learn this. Any way the coin cost me $17.95. Pretty spendy compared to what most of the others have cost.

Here are two more. Both of these cost $5.95. The 62 looks F or maybe VF and the 97 looks AU or high XF. Please let me know if I am all wet on the grades of these. Grading appears to be a new ball game also.

Many Thanks for the help. This looks like it could be much fun.

Ken

Askari · December 18, 2003 12:35PM

<< <i>This looks like it could be much fun. >>

you can bet your coin budget on it!

Aethelred · December 18, 2003 12:48PM

Ken,

The 1902 Third Farthing lists for £10 (about $17.50) in the 2004 Spinks catalog. An American AU would be about the same as a British EF as their grading system is a bit different than ours. Here is a very rough breakdown:

BRITISH GRADE / AMERICAN GRADE

Fair / VG-F
Fine / VF
VF / EF
EF / AU to about MS-61

I am sure someone will come along and correct me on the above list!

You will have a hard time finding the Spink catalog at a US bookstore, but there should be some listed on eBay. Or you might try Spink's website.

Aethelred · December 18, 2003 12:51PM

Spink & Sons Link

wybrit · December 18, 2003 12:58PM

The 1862 looks better than F, say aVF and the 1897 looks to be aEF on the obverse and EF on the reverse. In hand, the 1897 obverse may rate better than aEF.

Coincracker · December 18, 2003 2:35PM

Ken, you have some real nice coins there

python · December 18, 2003 3:08PM

Ken, here's a US dealer that sells Spink. Text

Fairlaneman · December 18, 2003 11:52PM

Thank You again for the information. A reference is a must with this coinage.

What the heck. Here is another coin.

Take Care.
Ken

1jester · December 19, 2003 12:22AM

A bunch of nice coins!! I think the 1911 half penny is really nice, and I don't see anything (like rubbing or scratches) that would make it grade below uncirculated.

Happy Collecting!!

coinkat · December 19, 2003 9:13AM

The 1902 1/3 farthing was struck for use in Malta...288,000 were minted and I think the 2004 Spink catalog price was already quoted.

I like the 1862 1d and it looks to be VF. It has a decent portrait for the grade.

wybrit · December 19, 2003 9:46AM

Thumbs up on the 1911. It looks to be the "hollow neck" variety. I can't make out Britannia's fingers, but it looks at least AUNC to me. The obverse is well struck and in excellent shape, which may explain why the reverse appears a little weak. Ghosting is very common on George V pennies up though 1927 and is not considered an error or a defect. There was insufficient metal to fill the dies so as a result there is often a strike weakness on one of the two sides of the coin.

Fairlaneman · December 19, 2003 8:28PM

Again Thank You for the comments and help on these coins. From the information obtained from this thread and others it is very obvious that careful inspection should be taken when looking at the British coinage because of the varieties that exist.

Here are two other coins that were picked out also. It appears to me that the 84 probably is a cleaned coin that was not noticed untill I got back home and looked at it decent lighting. Oh well it still is a good looking coin.

Thanks Again.
Ken

wybrit · December 19, 2003 9:35PM

The 1904 farthing is blackened as all farthings 1898-1917 were (some also in 1897 and 1918). It's probably EF to gEF. The 1884 is nice - I'd call it EF as well.

rhound1977 · December 19, 2003 10:50PM

Very nice looking Brits there......

izzy452 · December 19, 2003 11:52PM

Good looking GB coins you have there Ken.

Walt

Hmmm...British coins today.

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