Just thought I'd drop a few words to introduce myself. I started metal detecting about 6-7 years ago and it was this that got me into coins, specifically foreign ones as UK ones don't hold any appeal, very boring coins. I prefer to collect silver probably as a result of metal detecting as the base metal ones I find are very corroded and not worth holding on to. Having said that I'm discovering that it's actually the smaller value coins that are the ones that are most interesting; I got a Dutch 5 cents as a makeweight in an ebay auction that caught my attention much more than the silver coin. Commemorative coins that have seen a bit of circulation are my ideal, I don't usually go for uncirculated coins that haven't seen a bit of life because then there isn't the same history attached to them.
At the moment I've not got much to swap, only a few small silvers that I have doublers of that I'd be willing to trade for hard to find coppers from elusive countries. I did have the dream of maybe having silvers for the vast majority of countries, but that's not looking possible because of cost and availability, I have a very limited budget.
Well anyway thanks for reading this even if I don't trade with you in the future - this site is a gold mine of information.
You write: «I don't usually go for uncirculated coins that haven't seen a bit of life because then there isn't the same history attached to them.» I agree very much with that.
I had a go at metal detecting a about 10 years ago but I never got into it. My main collecting interest is in Scottish coins but they are quite expensive and difficult to get a hold of so most of my collection consists of English and British coins.
What sort of coins do you find metal detecting? I'd assume the corroded base metal coins that you mention are 16-17th century Scottish copper/billon coins? Its a pain trying to find them in good condition. Do you find many Scottish silver coins?
Citeer: "Camerinvs"You write: «I don't usually go for uncirculated coins that haven't seen a bit of life because then there isn't the same history attached to them.» I agree very much with that.
I agree too. There is so much more to circulated coins than just their designs or the events they commemorate. They are a direct link with the past. Take the legionary denarius of Mark Antony as an example. I have little interest in Roman coins but one of my favourite coins is my extremely poor-grade legionary denarius. Its not much to look at but its incredible to think that the coin is pretty much guaranteed to have been in the hands of a soldier that fought on the loosing side of the battle of Actium. Arguably one of the most important battles in history.
Citeer: "cmaclean"Hi Reklaw. I'm from Glasgow too.
I had a go at metal detecting a about 10 years ago but I never got into it. My main collecting interest is in Scottish coins but they are quite expensive and difficult to get a hold of so most of my collection consists of English and British coins.
What sort of coins do you find metal detecting? I'd assume the corroded base metal coins that you mention are 16-17th century Scottish copper/billon coins? Its a pain trying to find them in good condition. Do you find many Scottish silver coins?
I've been tectin' since 2011 in Scotland. I've found some Scottish silvers but I've never found a Scottish billon coin and I've seen very few of them found by others (I attend organised digs very often and I'm in some clubs). Mostly it's coppers worn and corroded to death (turners/bodles and bawbees; English pennies, halfpennies and farthings ).
Citeer: "Bartweegie"I've been tectin' since 2011 in Scotland. I've found some Scottish silvers but I've never found a Scottish billon coin and I've seen very few of them found by others (I attend organised digs very often and I'm in some clubs). Mostly it's coppers worn and corroded to death (turners/bodles and bawbees; English pennies, halfpennies and farthings ).
Nice. What sort of Scottish silver have you found?
One thistle merk, almost completely worn, two quarter-thistle merks, one must have been lost in a near-mint state and one almost completely worn and clipped, two shillings Scots of James VI, one 1/8-thistle merk, three quarter-dollars and one 1/16 dollar (my scarcest coin) of Charles II, two shillings Scots and 40 pence of Charles I in a bad state.
Citeer: "Bartweegie"One thistle merk, almost completely worn, two quarter-thistle merks, one must have been lost in a near-mint state and one almost completely worn and clipped, two shillings Scots of James VI, one 1/8-thistle merk, three quarter-dollars and one 1/16 dollar (my scarcest coin) of Charles II, two shillings Scots and 40 pence of Charles I in a bad state.
Nice finds, especially that 1/4 thistle merk. Do you find many pre-1600s European coins? Its surprising that you haven't found any Alexander III pennies. Judging by the hoards and documented single finds they are by far the most common silver Scottish medieval coins out there.
Citeer: "Bartweegie"One thistle merk, almost completely worn, two quarter-thistle merks, one must have been lost in a near-mint state and one almost completely worn and clipped, two shillings Scots of James VI, one 1/8-thistle merk, three quarter-dollars and one 1/16 dollar (my scarcest coin) of Charles II, two shillings Scots and 40 pence of Charles I in a bad state.
Nice finds, especially that 1/4 thistle merk. Do you find many pre-1600s European coins? Its surprising that you haven't found any Alexander III pennies. Judging by the hoards and documented single finds they are by far the most common silver Scottish medieval coins out there.
I actually have found one Alexander III, I just forgot to add it. I only found one pre-1600s European coin - a holed French double tournois, thus used as a pendant.
Citeer: "Camerinvs"
You write: «I don't usually go for uncirculated coins that haven't seen a bit of life because then there isn't the same history attached to them.» I agree very much with that.
I also agree with this. I do have some uncirculated coins but I almost always prefer ones with some character.
I disagree about UK coins though. I think they're consistently beautiful! To each their own, right? I hope we get to see photos of your finds someday.
Since you are both from Glasgow you should visit the Hunterian Museum if you get the time. It currently has a exhibit on Scottish coins from David I to the Union. There are examples of coins from the reign of every Scottish monarch except from Alexander II and Malcolm IV. The display includes Scotland's first gold coin (only four known examples) and a James VI £20 piece.
