Brit Tip #18
wybrit
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Tip #18
Copper/Bronze dates to watch for 1838-1936
This details some of the better dates of copper/bronze British coins 1838-1936 to be on the lookout for (see Tip #11 for 1937-1970). Some of the dates may be "common" in Krause or even the British price guides, but the ebay prices or general availability suggest otherwise. I would very much like feedback on other dates I have missed. I will omit varieties here - there are many better references for that angle of collecting. Note that I refer to coins in high grade in most cases.
Farthings:
Almost all Victorian dates are desirable, but especially 1839 (Proof), 1844, 1849, 1851, 1859, 1860 (Copper), 1863, 1869, 1874H, 1877 (Proof), 1880, 1881, 1883, 1892, 1894 and 1895 (Younger Head).
Edward VII - all are highly sought in black BU, especially 1910.
George V - all blackened specimens are highly sought in BU, especially 1915 and 1918. 1934 is also tough to find in BU (1935 is considered the key but is easier to locate in my opinion).
Halfpennies:
All Victorian halfpennies pre 1895, especially 1839 (Proof), 1843, 1845, 1847, 1848 (no overdate), 1851, 1859, 1860 (Copper), 1865, 1867-1871 inclusive, 1874, 1878, 1883 and 1894. The veiled head series is quite easy to locate.
Edward VII: 1902 (Low Tide), 1904 and 1909.
Many George V halfpennies pre-1926 are extremely hard to find in top grade. Toughest dates appear to be: 1913, 1922, 1924 and 1925 (Modified Effigy). 1934 is also a desirable date but is not difficult to locate in top grade.
Pennies:
Virtually every date in the series is desirable now.
All Victorian copper dates (1839-1860) except 1841, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1857 and 1858. High grade examples of any date are very expensive now.
All Bronze "Bun Head" pennies (1860-1894). Even 1887-1893, the most easily accessible dates, are getting very expensive.
Veiled head 1895 ("no sea") and 1897 (higher tide).
Edward VII - all dates, especially 1902 (Low Tide) and 1904.
George V - all dates except 1928-1930 and 1935-36. The Heaton (H) and Kings Norton (KN) issues are prizes. The Modified Effigy of 1926 has become virtually unobtainable. Don't bother looking for 1933.
Copper/Bronze dates to watch for 1838-1936
This details some of the better dates of copper/bronze British coins 1838-1936 to be on the lookout for (see Tip #11 for 1937-1970). Some of the dates may be "common" in Krause or even the British price guides, but the ebay prices or general availability suggest otherwise. I would very much like feedback on other dates I have missed. I will omit varieties here - there are many better references for that angle of collecting. Note that I refer to coins in high grade in most cases.
Farthings:
Almost all Victorian dates are desirable, but especially 1839 (Proof), 1844, 1849, 1851, 1859, 1860 (Copper), 1863, 1869, 1874H, 1877 (Proof), 1880, 1881, 1883, 1892, 1894 and 1895 (Younger Head).
Edward VII - all are highly sought in black BU, especially 1910.
George V - all blackened specimens are highly sought in BU, especially 1915 and 1918. 1934 is also tough to find in BU (1935 is considered the key but is easier to locate in my opinion).
Halfpennies:
All Victorian halfpennies pre 1895, especially 1839 (Proof), 1843, 1845, 1847, 1848 (no overdate), 1851, 1859, 1860 (Copper), 1865, 1867-1871 inclusive, 1874, 1878, 1883 and 1894. The veiled head series is quite easy to locate.
Edward VII: 1902 (Low Tide), 1904 and 1909.
Many George V halfpennies pre-1926 are extremely hard to find in top grade. Toughest dates appear to be: 1913, 1922, 1924 and 1925 (Modified Effigy). 1934 is also a desirable date but is not difficult to locate in top grade.
Pennies:
Virtually every date in the series is desirable now.
All Victorian copper dates (1839-1860) except 1841, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1857 and 1858. High grade examples of any date are very expensive now.
All Bronze "Bun Head" pennies (1860-1894). Even 1887-1893, the most easily accessible dates, are getting very expensive.
Veiled head 1895 ("no sea") and 1897 (higher tide).
Edward VII - all dates, especially 1902 (Low Tide) and 1904.
George V - all dates except 1928-1930 and 1935-36. The Heaton (H) and Kings Norton (KN) issues are prizes. The Modified Effigy of 1926 has become virtually unobtainable. Don't bother looking for 1933.
Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
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some comments on the farthing part of your list.
First - It is pretty much what I would say as well.
I would include 1852, 1864(copper) and 1922.
I would take out 1874H.
I am not sure why you include 1839 proof - and not others.
1877 is fair enough as there are no currency specimens.
(1860 copper - there are proof and currency issues, however like 1864 copper you may never see one for sale.)
I would be very wary of any Victorian bronze proof farthings(except 1877), Freeman listed many, most people think falsely.
Lastly, I don't find Old Head farthings that easy - not well struck in BU / Black BU.
Interesting list,
Teg
<< <i>(1860 copper - there are proof and currency issues, however like 1864 copper you may never see one for sale.) >>
Keep your eyes peeled for a set of 1860s to show up for sale this year.......anyone want to still make me that 1% loan for 50 years.......mid 5-figures would be nice.
Are you finally cracking open that roll of them?
Wybrit:
What do you think of the 1919 florins, shillings and 1/2 crowns? Were these saved because of the change in composition or do you think they were still heavily circulated and perhaps under valued in UNC?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I agree that the 1842 farthing is getting tougher too. 1922 is a tough date for all bronze, but I think the penny's price is overblown.
What do you think of the 1919 florins, shillings and 1/2 crowns? Were these saved because of the change in composition or do you think they were still heavily circulated and perhaps under valued in UNC?
Good question. I think the 1919s were circulated like all the rest. People simply could not afford to horde them. My guesstimates:
1919 Shilling - scarce. I think ESC may understate this one a bit (they say "N").
1919 Florin - normal
1919 Halfcrown - very scarce
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.