Top Five British Coins Of The 20th Century?

7Jaguars

Which five coins would readers put at the top of the list? 20th Century British coins do not seem to get a lot of respect except for the hyper-rarities and the Edward VIII coins. If we excepted the latter, which coins would people put at the top of their list?

My Suggestions, for mint state coins:

1 - 1933 Penny
2 - 1952 Halfcrown
3 - 1952 Penny
4 - 1954 Penny
5 - 1905 Halfcrown
6 - 1905 Shilling
7 - 1922 Penny, Rev. of 1927
8 - 1919KN Penny
9 - 1926 ME Penny
10- Others??? there seems to be a falloff in the rarity of other scarcer bits.

Of these, I think other than the "Big Four" at the top I would add the 1922 penny. There are many very rare pattern and proofs, but just these as currency would be at the top of my list; any other ideas?


Ooops, almost forgot the 1945 silver threepence which I have never seen. Does anybody know about this piece, or is it two pieces???

Daltonista

Here's a suggestion, the George V Wreath Crown. This is one
20th-century GB piece that's always rung my chimes.

MrEureka

Do the first four coins really exist as business strikes? I thought they were all proofs.

lordmarcovan

The '33 penny was first to my mind.

7Jaguars

The 1934 crown is a nice bit and getting much more expensive these days, but is nowhere near as rare as the others. Maybe it is the 20th. C. equivalent of the Gothic crown??

The first four coins, save the 1952 penny (so you are right on this) are known as currency, although the 1952 halfcrown is known as unique in proof as well; Colin Cooke has its story on their website when you look at his halfcrown coins for sale (not for sale), evidently having been found in circulation in the 1960s - much more rare than the 1804 dollar and found in its change.

coinkat

Just trying to find a nice 1905 1/2 in EF or higher is nearly impossible...

harasha

I have always liked the rocking horse crown.

Cruzi

This list has little to do with 7Jaguars criteria, but they are all dang hard to find in perfect condition

In no particular order:

1902 Matte Proof Sovereign

1902 Matte Proof Half Sovereign

Mary Gillick Portrait Proof Sovereign (just plain hard to find)

1937 Proof Sovereign

1937 Proof Half Sovereign

7Jaguars

Yes, that 1937 sov. is getting "off the hook" price wise. I got a pretty good price on the Terner specimen as people had spent themselves out on the 19th C. pieces.

I like them better than the 1902 mattes - the L5 still seems pretty cheap when it comes not hairlined. I like the Wood/Paget pattern 1926 crown with Peace motif - unfortunately a pattern though.

wybrit

There aren't many really outstanding rarities in the 20th century, true, but there are some decent dates. Most of the examples above are reasonably unattainable, such as the '54 penny.

Here are some "better" dates:

Farthing - 1910, 1918 (darkened), 1934, 1935
Halfpenny - 1902LT, 1922, 1934 (nothing really tough here except the first date)
Penny - 1902LT, 1904, 1918H/KN, 1919H/KN, 1926 ME, 1932, 1934
Threepence - 1904, 1907, 1928, 1930, 1939, 1942-44 (these last three are a bit overrated - easy to get in US)
Brass threepence - 1946, 1949, 1950, 1951
Sixpence - 1904, 1905, 1908, 1917, 1923, 1952
Shilling - 1903-1905, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1921, 1924, 1925, 1930
Florin - 1903-1909, 1912, 1913, 1925, 1932
Halfcrown - 1903-1909, 1912, 1913, 1925, 1926, 1930
Crown - any wreath crown date except 1927.

Bailathacl

1965 5 s.

coinkat

I think Wybrit wrote it like it is...

7Jaguars

Go Churchill!!! Actually I like the satin proof of this. Not a bad design, just more common than all get out in currency strike.

Gazza

I would love a satin churchill in my collection, but above that I would like this one, a bit of spot the difference.