Questions About Putting Together A Monarchy Type Set

When does this get crazy expensive? I imagine getting into the 13th century and below starts to become harder and harder. Can you go all the way back to Harold I?

Les desirable is for me. I might not worry too much about keeping them the same type of coin but might just look for nice examples regardless. It's comforting to know I can go back in time without going broke.

Any suggestions on honest dealers of British coins?

'British' coins can be found right back to the Celts (150BC and on). Though perhaps Alfred and his predecessors (late 800s AD) can be considered to be the first Kings of the land that later became England. In terms of a 'United Kingdom' then Anne is the first real ruler following the Union of England and Scotland in 1707. So you have a lot of choice as to when you decide your collection will start.

As to denominations, I have a contact who collects examples from each reign, all different metals, different designers, denominations etc .. Basically there aren't any rules about coin collection. You have to decide for yourself!

You may find you like a particular value of coin (I too like shillings) but you don't have to stick with one.

As for cost, well, everyone has their own budgets. Some coins will stretch that, others can be had for less. the key thing is to buy coins in the best condition you can afford. You can get plenty of advice about grading on forums like this. Though remember, if you are collecting British coins it's best to learn British grading standards as they vary internationally.

Starting with some more modern coins you can learn about grading without spending a fortune. Though if you venture back before the mid-1600s to hand made (hammered) coins you will need to learn to assess them differently from the later machine made ones!

Slabs? Most UK collectors don't seem that keen and the majority of collectors I know collect 'raw' coins or break open slabs if that's what the coin comes in.

Most of all? Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions!

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Thanks guys. The entire project sounds like fun and I think I might give it a go. It's tough sometimes living in China since every purchase is online and lots of dealers don't trust you but I can probably find some that will ship here. I'll start with Elizabeth 2 and just work backwards. That's the way I like to do things since that way, there are no frustrating holes.

There are some English/british monarchs with interesting life stories.

For example:

Edward VIII ( only king for a short while in 1936 ). You would need to get one of the colonial coins issued to have one with his name. As far as I know, there are no commonly available coins with his effigy on them. There are a lot of so-called patterns and proofs, but these are modern repros.

Going back a bit, try Matilda and Stephen.


Good luck with your collection. Sounds interesting.

You could do Shillings all the way back to Edward VI, then switch to groats (four pence) until you to get back to Edward III, then anything earlier than that would probably have to be pennies.

Obtaining nice examples of Cromwell, Mary, and Richard III will be quite a challenge.

You mentioned Cromwell, Mary and Richard II as being difficult to find. What about rulers like Richard Cromwell, Jane, Edward V, Henry VI and others with very short reigns? Did they even have coins minted during their short time in power?