Elizabeth I Sixpence

Looking at the relative size of the bust I suspect you have a threepence. 3d and 6d were very similar in design, same legends, same rose, dates above the shield, same mintmarks. Only during the third issue, 1561 - 1577, (first issue for both 3d and 6d) sixpence had a smaller bust, and the tip of the crown was much farther away from the inner circle. Check the size, 6d should be 26 mm, and 3d only 19 mm.

Many thanks. This is very helpful. What do you mean by "hammered". Sorry for the ignorance...I'm new to this. Also, if anyone had an idea of value, I would appreciate it.

"Hammered" is referred to the method of coin production. A blank is placed between two dies, and then someone would swing a heavy hammer down on the top die to impress the images on the coin. Nearly all issues in the UK produced until 1662 were hammered. Although as early as 1560 Elizabeth experimented with some "milled" coinage (struck by a machine).

I'm really new to collecting. I just wondered where you can send coins off to be certified as I'm sure I'll get hold of some I'm not too sure about.
By the way, I live in Ireland.
Sheen

Lovely coin Carleroo! And very nice old toning. I'm sure you wouldn't, but please don't clean it!




Apologies for jacking Carleroo's thread, but it depends what you mean by 'certified' Sheen.

People use the term to mean slightly different things. TPGS do what it says on the tin; they offer a grading service. In countries where graded coins are part of the market, that's important. They also identify and 'certify' a coin is what they say it is and encapsulate it (put it in a protective 'slab').

Now in the UK most people don't slab their coins. And until recently, very few bothered with the 'certification' either relying on their own knowledge, the dealers they bought the coin from or from knowledgeable others at clubs or forums like this.

It costs to slab (£10/€12 to £20), so only really worth it for coins with a value some multiples of that, otherwise if you ever came to sell you risk not being able to recoup the cost.

So. If you plan to collect higher end coins, it may be worth it. But buying from a reputable source is more important.

If you want to protect the coin from damage, fine. But there are cheaper storage options than a TPGS slab.

And if you want the reassurance that your coin is what you think, well, we (as in people here on CC or other coin forums) can often do that (obviously we can't weigh your coin or inspect it other than from a photo) for free!

Just sayin!

As for TPGS, some attend the larger shows. Not sure what coin shows you might have in Ireland? Others you'd need to post your coins to. GCS is UK based and have huge expertise in UK (primarily milled, they have only just started grading hammered) coinage. PCGS and NGC tend to use UK dealers to whom you can send a coin and who then forward it for appraisal. Websearches will give more details of all of these. Bear in mind US TPGS' expertise is US coinage. They don't always get it right with UK ones. And there's the rub. In the end, it's all down to someone with knowledge doing the appraisal.

I'm so glad to hear you still have it, it's a great reign to follow, as so much has already been researched, leaving a world of fine-tuning to do re varieties!
Your's is BCW Sixpence EG-1:f a common variety, but in great condition for type! Oh, and bust 5A!

Hi Tom,
Many thanks for all that information. It's very useful.
I have a few hammered coins I'm thinking of posting. Only problem is, unfortunately I've been away from the site for some time and although I've posted photos in the past, I can't remember how to do it now. I think I had to use Photobucket or one of those sites to reduce the sze. I know there was a thread somewhere explaining it, but I can't find it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Thanks Tom.
I shall try that.