phil_in_npton wrote:Good Morning!
Wow! 6 pages on coin collecting!
I have just read through it all and I am fascinated and inspired. I never realised the complexity of the stuff we handle every day!
Some may say what a lot of saddo’s but that applies to any hobby or pastime from the outside.
A few questions first, we have a big jar of 1, 2, 5,10 and 20p’s. Is it worth trawling through them for anything special!
If I wanted to start collecting at a low level, not purchasing over the odds, would the 50p’s be a good idea?
I never realised there were so many different designs in sets.
Mike, do you mainly deal in decimal currency or go back to all the “half a crown” and “tanner” days?
On an aside, a board game I enjoyed playing as a youngster (and now if anyone can be persuaded) was a game called “GO”. Travelling the world and exchanging money for all the different currencies as you went. It fascinated me to see all the different notes, Dollars, Francs, Marks, Yen, Pesos etc etc.
A fascinating subject and a new avenue to explore!
Phil in Northampton
Good morning Phil,
Welcome aboard mate, it is a fascinating hobby for those interested. A word of warning - it can become very addictive if you let it. It is so easy to get involved.
You have the right idea Phil, yes, 50p's would be an excellent starting point. Might I suggest the Peter Rabbit collection, there are 13 of those in circulation at the moment. Lots more to collect along the way. There are lots of other 50p as well. Apart from the Olympic type there are probably 25 other different types. I can let you know them all if you are interested.
You could also go for the new 10p. They have issued 26 of those, one for every letter of the alphabet. They are all available, some easier to get than others.
My favourite are the £2 coins. 40 have been 'issued' but only 38 are in circulation. I can explain in more detail but it is complicated. They are great fun but very frustrating waiting for the Royal Mint to issue the other two.
Don't bother with the new £1 coins. At the moment there is only one type design although the there are seven different variations. Much more fun were the old type £1. There were 26 of them and I have a few sets for my grandkids when I'm gone.
Yes, don't just get rid of your jar of coins. Look out for;
20p without a date on it. Worth about £40
£2 Northen Ireland Commonwealth games, £35
50p Kew Gardens, £70
50p Jemima Puddleduck, £8
If you are really interested, go to the change checker website. All the info for new startrs will be there. They can give you much more info than I. They even have a collection and swap page, it's very good.
If you go on eBay, be warned. Lots of fakes there and people selling coins with the 'edge lettering' the wrong way up. This is nonsense, it is a random process during the minting.
If you need any specific info on your coins just PM or txt me, no problem at all, I will be glad to help. I have a few reference books and can always get the info on UK coins. I collect all UK coins going as far back as the 'hammered' variety from hundreds of years ago. Don't have many of them though, but have info on them. I have a few foreign coins but not much other than holiday money from the US, Hungary and Poland. Hope this all helps mate.