Inspiration

Everything out there tell the new coin collector what to collect, how to store it, where to find information on coins and how to look at them.

What everyone forgets to say is: ENJOY YOUR HOBBY!

Today I spent the day looking at fantastic coins like the last ever Queen Ann guinea produced in Edinburgh and a spectacular example of the George II Lima bust guinea at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Taking in the beauty of these coins thoroughly re-invigorated me to look out for my own little pieces of numismatic history. Obviously, I will never own such incredible and historic coins as these but to own your own little lower grade lower value coin of a similar era can provide a great thrill - you can reach out and touch it anytime you want! I'm not sure the curators in Edinburgh would be too pleased if you tried to touch these coins....!

A new numismatist?

I am pleased to discover that the olympic 50p collection is more sought after among the general public than I realised. Over the past 2 weeks, 2 friends have told me they are collecting them too! One of them has never collected coins before in their life but has taken a keen interest in these coins. I really think they are an excellent way for the amateur numismatist to expand their collection as it is unlikely we we will ever see such a diverse collection so easily amassed in british coinage (at least from general circulation) again. It is great fun swapping the duplicates you have with friends and colleagues who have duplicates of ones you need!

On a frustrating note, I must admit that this coin-virgin has a more complete collection of them than I do!

Boring euros and the 'E' word

Well,my opinion on the euro currency coins hasn't changed - what a dull bunch!
On the plus side, I did find my first 2013 coin on my return: a shiny new 10p coin. It really has taken a while this year to see them circulating but hopefully it will be the first in a flurry of new year coins in my change.

I also tried electrolysis on some of my very low grade Victoria and George V pennies. I would never advise anyone does this on coins which are worth anything nor that anyone who does not fully understand the reaction taking place and dangers involved attempts it but it does seem to work! I realise there will be collectors out there pulling their hair out at the roots at my very mention of the 'E' word but I like the effect it had on the low value coins I subjected to it.