For some reason, lately I've been attracted to some older British coppers. As a kid I had a number of late 1800's 'pennies' and until recently hadn't ever seen real detail on the reverse shield and all.. Until I learn a thing or two about them, I'm avoiding expensive items. Here's a few recent cheap snags ($30 or less). Anything I should know about them (different things to watch for than U.S. coinage)? 1925 Farthing (AU+?) 1723 George I Farthing 1775 George III halfpenny 1775 George III Farthing 1858 Victoria - Think it is a farthing (same size as 1775, but larger than 1925 -- lots of nice luster -- and a big scratch on the reverse)
Very Nice. I have a lot that I can add to your collection. I have a huge infatuation with British copper and I am always adding to my collection as well. Haven't seen a whole lot of Lustered 19th Century, so very good grab on that one. Send me a PM if you want some more, I'd be happy to talk
I like these types too. I have the complete pennies from 1860 to now and the half pennies and farthings into the 1800s, with some dates missing. You should be able to find most of them for a few bucks or less, so don't overpay unless it's a rare date. I find that farthings usually have good detail. Something about the design seems to have shielded them from wear, so it's not that hard to find older ones in good shape. The half pennies and pennies are not so lucky.
Appreciate the tip! That explains why I've found some farthings in reasonable shape, but not many bigger coins. Do you have a favorite website for newbies to British coinage? Don't know if they have different mintmarks, or which are the key dates etc... I've found pieces of data here and there but nothing substantively encompassing. Thanks! -snewman
One of the things I learned is to look for an H or KN in the bottom left hand corner of the big Pennies. I believe they are directly left of the date and occur in 1919 and 1912. There may be other dates, but they're from the Heaton Mint if H. Not sure about the KN though.
Anything after 1837 is too modern for me. Not interested. (Plus, honestly, the Queen Vick period is too prim, proper, and effeminate. It amazes me how many grown men get misty eyed for over-priced Vicky stuff, but they will turn a blind eye to some spectacular and cheaper Queen Anne, George I-II-III gems.) Give me the gritty, noisy, grimy 1700s: http://www.aboutfarthings.co.uk/index.html http://www.colincooke.com/ guy
Actually it's straight under the date. For the penny, there's an H in 1874, 1875, 1876, 1881, 1882, 1912, 1918 and 1919. The KN is 1918 and 1919. Halfpennies have an H in 1874, 75, 76, 81, and 82. Farthings have an H in the same years as the halfpenny. Rare dates in the 20th century for the pennies are 1918 H and KN and 1919 H and KN, 1926, 1950, 51, and 53. The 1951 only has 120,000 made, so that will probably be the hardest to get. For the 19th century pennies, (1860-), the rarest are 1864, 68, 69, 71 and 75 H. For the farthings and halfpennies, there aren't really any rare dates in the 20th century.
Someone else shared this site with me. It's a good guide if you don't have a Krause available. I have it bookmarked at the pennies page, but you can navigate to the other types of British coinage too: http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/values/penny.html
Slight addendum: The H is indeed under the date for C19th 1d and ½d coins. The 1912H, 1918H/KN and 1919H/KN have the mintmark to the left of the date. Of course, the great British rarity is the 1933 penny, of which 7 were minted. Oh, and the 1954 penny is unique, as is the 1952 proof penny. The 1935 farthing is the hardest C20th one to get, and commands a decent premium in Unc. Concur about ½ds in C20th.
Yes - that site is definitely the best for current values, etc ... and other parts of the site go into detail on the history of all UK denominations. I personally love the penny too - I have a complete run in Unc from 1910 (apart from 1934 gEF and 1945 gEF, which can be tricky to find in Unc - those years were artificially toned, along with 1944 and 1946).
