Collecting British coins

[UK Decimal +]

Just to show how my interests are growing, this set, which was made up for me by my dealer, arrived today.   Better examples of the lower vlues will be added available.

It shows the coins that I grew up with and the choice of the year 1944 is no coincidence.

Note the two varieties of 1/- Shilling (English and Scottish) and the 3p Threepences in 50% silver and in brass.

Perhaps you might find them again in Pre-Decimal at some time in the future.

Bill.

[BC Numismatics]

Bill,
  The 1944 silver 3d. is a bit of a scarce coin to try & find,considering that the 1942-44 issues were only in circulation in the colonies.There is a bit of debate about the 1941 silver 3d. though.

I do have most of the King George VI silver 3d. coins in my collection.

Aidan.

[UK Decimal +]

UK 1944 3d silver.   Yes, I agree that the price is higher for these, although my dealer seems to have sufficient available.   He knew that I wished to keep the price down as much as possible, hence the lowish grade.

The figures are interesting.

1941 - 7,979,411
1942 - 4,144,051
1943 - 1,397,220
1944 - 2,005,553
1945 - only 1 known

The quantities seem rather high for a 'Colonies only' strike, and I have seen no previous reference to this.   Perhaps some never reached your part of the world (sunk in transit?).   My dealer has some listed for 1944 as fine, good-fine, very fine and good-very fine which suggests that they did circulate in the UK.

Nationally listed prices indeed show that 1942/3/4 are less common, but I can get them.

Bill.

[andyg]

The quantities seem rather high for a 'Colonies only' strike,

I understand that the 1942-1944 issues were struck for circulation in the West Indies.
A list of other colonies only coins would be quite interesting, Off the top of my head, Quarter Farthings, Third Fathings, Half Farthings, Silver 2d, early Victorian silver 3d, 4d up to 1888.  Any more?

[BC Numismatics]

Andy,
  The British 3 Halfpence also circulated in the West Indies as well.

In fact,the 3 Halfpence got the nickname 'Quattie' (quarter 6d.) from Jamaica & other British West Indies colonies.

The 1888 Britannia Groat only circulated in British Guiana.That is one extremely underrated & underpriced coin.I ended up getting one after years of elusiveness.

Aidan.

[UK Decimal +]

UK 3d silver.   The grades of the ones that my dealer had available a few days ago were (maybe more than one of each):

1938 - GF, GVF, GEF, BU
1939 - GF, EF
1940 - VF, GEF
1941 - VF, GEF, BU
1942 - Fair, GF, VF, GVF, EF
1943 - GF, VF, GVF
1944 - Fine, GF, VF, GVF
also:
1943 - quantity 10, GF
1943 - quantity 10, VF

There certainly seems to be no shortage of them here.

Any more thougts?

Bill.

[Figleaf]

The silver threepenny bits are relatively easy to collect and much fun. I wouldn't buy below VF (circulated, but all details clear) or at BU, unless it's priced for UNC. I don't think these coins exist in BU. If you buy low grade, you can't trade them away, they are hard to sell, but easy to upgrade.

Why not go for a type set before you try to get all the dates? Your collection will look better while you are building it.

Peter

[andyg]

I've always liked the designs on the George VI Shillings, they remind me of when I was younger looking for them in change, In 1987 (I think) I remember swapping a silver 1941 shilling (which he found in change) with the boy who sat next to me at school  I had to walk home as it cost me my 12p bus fare.....

[UK Decimal +]

UK 3d silver.   At the moment, I am certainly not trying to get a full set of years.

1944 was chosen as that is 'my year', so I had a set made up (as available at present) to give an example of every denomination of coin.

I have succeeded in getting 1936 (last of George V) and 1937 (first of George VI).   I just missed getting examples of 1902 and 1910/11 (Edward VII/George V).   I am not trying for a full set, but want to see how my interest grows.

UK 3d brass.   Likewise.   So far I have 1937 (first year), 1941, 1944, 1966 and 1967 (last year).   I will be watching for 1952/53 for the change in monarch and design at that time.

In the future, I shall probably try to get representative years that will suit all denominations, but will wait and see how things progress.   I have some more orders in mind.

Bill.

[BC Numismatics]

Andy,
  The King William IV 3d. also circulated only in the colonies as well.

The 1827 1d. turns up a lot in Australia,whereas,the 1932 1/2 Crown turns up a lot over here in New Zealand,as does some of the 1930 1/2 Crown.

As for the 1950 & 1951 1d.,that turned up in quantity in Bemuda before some of the American banknote & coin dealers went in & bought them up.

Aidan.

[andyg]

As for the 1950 & 1951 1d.,that turned up in quantity in Bemuda before some of the American banknote & coin dealers went in & bought them up.

Yes I'd forgotten about those, the 1950/51 Penny I thought was struck for Bermuda.
The 1952 Sixpence also I think was struck for Jamaica.

How much do 1827 1d sell for over there if they are common?

[BC Numismatics]

Andy,
  I've got no idea what the Aussie dealers have put on the 1827 1d..

As for the 1952 6d.,I'm not aware of it being issued in Jamaica,as Jamaica had their own 1/4d.,1/2d.,& 1d. coins from 1869 right up until 1969.

I ended up getting my example of the 1952 6d. from work.That is only the second example of that coin I have ever seen.

The 1838 & 1843 3 Halfpence coins turn up a lot.I was very lucky when a holed example of the 1862 3 Halfpence came my way.Boy,did I land that into my collection.

Aidan.

[andyg]

Andy,
  I've got no idea what the Aussie dealers have put on the 1827 1d.

But you said they turn up a lot in Australia, so I thought that everyone must have over there....
I've read somewhere about the 6d, it may just be an urban myth as I cannot find my source.

[africancoins]

See (amongst others)...

http://www.sixpenceking.com/

about the 6 Pence of 1952.

I had heard of something if it before.

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

[UK Decimal +]

This thread seems to be getting interesting.

UK silver 3d.   Just to show that I am trying to select useful dates, here are the 1936 (George V) and 1937 (George VI) ones.   Please remember that the diameter is 16mm and weight 1.4g with a silver content of 50%.

Is that a letter 'C' in the centre of the older one?

Bill.