Silver Crowns
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Was thinking of getting into collecting British silver crowns. Is there anyone else out there who collects them? What resources are there on them? What are the key dates, etc?
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Crowns (meaning crown-sized silver coins in general) are always popular, and of course the British ones (the true "crowns") are very popular. And many are still affordable. I would work on a type set of them, maybe, rather than try to do a date set. But even a type set could be quite challenging when you get into the earlier stuff.
Unhappily, their availability has dropped dramatically in recent years, and the prices have skyrocketed. I began collecting them in December of 1999 (Queen Anne) and added the last one in December of 2003 (George I).
I had wanted to collect crowns of every monarch since Henry VIII. I am not sure if there even is one of Mary Tudor, William IV is prohibitively expensive, and I have been unsuccessful in finding or bidding on one, from the joint reign of William & Mary. I have had to be satisfied with a testoon of Henry VIII and a half crown of Elizabeth.
Some monarchs are surprisingly difficult. George I and George II. The "young head" Victoria.
One mistake that I made is that if a desired crown becomes available, from a respected dealer, don't put off buying it, thinking you can find it later. That is why I have an Elizabeth half crown. I once saw an affordable crown from Baldwin, but decided not to purchase, thinking I could purchase one at a later date. Never saw an affordable one again.
DPOTD
Also, the new 2005 Spink will be out in a few months with healthy price increases expected.
<< <i>For resources, as m'Lord says, there are the Krause materials, Spinks and also a CoinCraft reference (which I believe is being discontinued)...
[...Snippedy snip...]
...That is why I have an Elizabeth half crown. I once saw an affordable crown from Baldwin, but decided not to purchase, thinking I could purchase one at a later date. Never saw an affordable one again.
I for one am upset about the discontinuation of the CoinCraft catalogue it was by far the best guide information wise (find one if you can it's well worth it), ignore their prices though.
Hardest by far is the Vicky Young head issue and the Wreath Crowns of George V (Be preparded for a shock when you see the 1934 price).
The Gothic Crown isn't as bad as it may first appear, they ain't rare (8000 exist) it's just they are in demand.
For Elizabeth I there are always gold crowns much more affordable, perhaps not as nice though?
<< <i>Hardest by far is the Vicky Young head issue . . . . >>