JACOB HART, AKA COINBOY, AGED 10
By Jacob Hart
What precisely draws you to a coin?
Whenever I go to a coin fair, I am always told to focus on a certain denomination and a specific reign. I find this really hard because there are so many beautiful coins on display.
So, what catches my eye, and how do I decide which coins to buy?
Firstly, I look at the condition of the coin and this depends on its rarity and age. If I’m lucky, there might be some lustre. Lustre is the brilliance or bloom on a coin. When a coin has just been struck, it has full lustre. I try to get as close to full lustre as possible. There are different ways lustre will present on a coin, such as: muted lustre, greasy lustre, dull lustre, earthy lustre and metallic lustre.
Next, I examine the age of the coin. The older the coin is, the less likely it is for the coin to have lustre.
Then I look at the rarity. I know the mintage figures of most coins, but the mintage figures were only recorded from around George III’s reign (in the early 19th century). Any coins before that are an educated guess. Sometimes common coins can be rare to find in a good condition.
Another thing to consider is toning. In my opinion, toning is a bad thing, but some may argue that it looks beautiful, for example rainbow toning. Toning is where the coin has got a suntan! If you leave it in the sun for at least a month, it will produce toning. This can make the coin look duller, less visible and a different colour. I try not to have toning on a coin unless the toning is very faint. Other types of toning include cabinet toning, spherical toning, golden toning and light toning.
When I was at my most recent Coin Fair, I was drawn to the Gothic Florins and the young head Victorian Shillings and Sixpences. I do have a couple of each, but they are of a poor grade. I love the Gothic Crowns but they’re awfully expensive, so I don’t own any. (Prices can range from about $1,500 to $186,000, which is the record price for a proof 1847 Gothic Crown.)
The last coin I purchased was at Charing Cross collector’s market. It was an uncirculated 1866 Sixpence, die number 5. It had full lustre and no toning – I have since sent it to be slabbed.
I’m always learning, and I read a lot of numismatic books and magazines. I speak with stall holders at markets and fairs and always learn so much from them, as they are happy to share information with me. I’m at the point where I’m confident to give valuations whenever I’m asked to, and although I really enjoy doing this, no one will retire on any of the coins I’ve valued so far! Follow me on YouTube for more coin talk @coinboy1170
“In my opinion, toning is a bad thing, but some may argue that it looks beautiful, for example rainbow toning. Toning is where the coin has got a suntan!”
By Jacob Hart