Reference for Hammered Coins (Pennies in particular)?

[nicholasz219]

Hello All,

 

I'm a visitor from the Russian Coin Forums. I recently bought a Elizabeth I hammered penny for my daughter's coin collection for Christmas. I bought from a trusted seller and am overall very pleased. I am considering purchasing some other hammered silver pennies for her collection as well as desirable pieces come up at reasonable prices.

 

I checked the UK Coin Links section before writing this post to see if I could find a list of reference works that might direct me to a good standard guide for hammered coinage. I am an experienced collector and she is an enthusiastic novice who is nine. I'd like to purchase something worthwhile with good pictures (my eyes seem to deceive me with the lettering because of bad eyes and unfamiliar character style) as well as indicators of relative rarity/general price guide. I know these catalogs are obsolete as soon as they are printed concerning prices, but I think the pictures and technical information would be great to have on hand.

 

Any suggestions would be mighty welcome. Also, if anyone has an extra copy of a recommended book for sale, I would much rather give an unwanted copy a home and do business with fellow Coin People.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

nicholasz219

 

P.S.-Feel free to IM if you have a copy and do not want your details out in public.

[Peter]

Hi

There are several good reference books.All written in English.

I use several.

Obviously Spink Coins of England (about £25) The 2013 is just out.A bit basic.

Coincrafts 2000 catalogue.A good reference (available 2nd hand)

North Volume 1 & 2(about £45 each)

Englands striking history (by Rotographic) Good value and an interesting read.(£7 or £8)

 

There are further specialist books which cover various subjects,

The above should start you off.

As you specialise you will find more information and websites.

[YeOldeCollector]

I've just taken delivery of my batch of Spink 2013 and would recommend it in terms of reference and pictures. This is, unfortunately, your only option if you want a book that contains pictures, prices and a standard identification.

 

Other books lack other features or focus entirely upon identification.

 

If you do have any questions please do feel free to ask!

[nicholasz219]

Well thank you for the assistance, folks! I am looking for a copy of English Hammered Coinage by North. I think I may have one copy on the way if it works out right.

 

I purchased older editions of Spink and Coincraft off of Amazon. I figured that I can get a feel for the books and the field and not spend a ton of money on the most recent editions. I am looking more to learn about identifying the coins and their legends which seem to really give me a hard time. Prices and things are irrelevant and the internet is a better resource for current prices.

 

I am really enjoying learning about hammered coinage and have been pleasantly surprised to be able to pick up some decent pieces for my daughter's collection of British coins. So far I have pennies of Elizabeth and James I. Both were nice pieces and bought for about $20-30. She is getting a lot of fun things from her Christmas list for Christmas, and these will be for us two coin nerds to research and learn about. I never thought I'd be this lucky to have a daughter that would be into coins like me. It's good stuff.

 

Keep the advice coming!

[Ætheling]

Coincrafts 2000 catalogue.A good reference (available 2nd hand)

North Volume 1 & 2(about £45 each)

 

 

Coincraft is quite good actually (although it only does the major types). North is the 'bible' of English hammered so to speak, unfortunately trying to use it is a lot like wading through mud. I feel you really need to have a general grasp on the hammered serieses before you go delving into the North catalogue, a bit specialist.