Complete Pre Decimal Coin Collection

[r9453]

Yep, I left out the 2 x Crowns, add 2 to the total.

I was happy with the PCGS registry set when it had about 75 to 80 pennies, some of the coins they have added are quite rare and out of my reach. I would draw the line at well documented die pairs and mint marks although that might result in a long list as well. I never knew the 1925 is a die clash but I guess it was included because its generally well known.

The 1953 florin with large reverse denticles is recognised but not included in the florin registry set. However, by way of example, the 1946 large loop 6 is not recognised. The 1926 sixpence w/ serif 2 is recognised but not included in the set registry.

When I say recognised, I mean that PCGS has given the coin a unique identifier:

1953(m) Florin Large Reverse Denticles

1926(m,sy) 6D Serif 2

[trout]

I would think that most of us just try to have the various dates and different mints in our Pre decimal collections to consider them a complete collection.
The various overdates and varieties are collected and are desirable/interesting but are not considered as essential by most for their collection to be complete.
I imagine that this is the premise that Downies are using when they describe this as a "Complete" set :ok:

[autocoupler]

You bloody beauty AJ :yahoo: I bet you have one of those 1922 pennies I'm looking for :biggrin::laugh2:

Maybe, I'll have to get them out and have a gander..should only cost ya an arm and a leg auto if your lucky :mocking: nah I'll have a look at what I got for ya :angel:

When I think of the length of time I've been looking I'm not all that confident AJ, but thanks for looking anyway :thank_you: I'm just affraid it's going to end in 4,000,000 - 3,000 - 221 ..........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5hSxt2hvwY  :laugh2:

[ausjack]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5hSxt2hvwY link should work now :winkextra: and yes a lot of that with collecting auto and also :dash1:

[interest]

I would think that most of us just try to have the various dates and different mints in our Pre decimal collections to consider them a complete collection.
The various overdates and varieties are collected and are desirable/interesting but are not considered as essential by most for their collection to be complete.
I imagine that this is the premise that Downies are using when they describe this as a "Complete" set :ok:

I have to agree with Trout here. My main object was to get all the dates & mints first, & then to worry about varieties & errors afterwards.

[r9453]

I can't afford a 1930 penny and the 1923 half has eluded me thus far but I'm quietly confident I'll get one eventually. Although even if I had both I would still be interested in this topic. For me its only a relatively minor aspect of my ongoing research into our pre-decimal coins.

[autocoupler]

I think it all comes down to available information when any collector is setting their parameters. When thinking of Aussie pennies, for years the local coin bibles only included the basic year dates, as well as a few mint mark varieties and even fewer die varieties in their listings. As a consequence, this is what dealers, auction houses and naturally collectors set their sites on.

As time rolled bye the fruits of more and more research was becoming available which a gradually increasing number of collectors soaked up, and it must be said, in the face of silent resistance by catalogue editors and dealers. Many a comment would be heard about how it wasn't worth the time and effort to familiarise with, as it turns out, some of the most important numismatic items since federation. At least one of Australia's main two catalogues in more recent times has seen fit to list all the major varieties, albeit mixed in with hoards of errors etc, while the other publication remains in denial.

Even so, and despite subconscious early industry opposition, the interest in mint mark and die varieties has been gaining traction as evidenced by considerable increases in auction prices of late. The recent decision by PCGS to include all the major penny varieties in their registry set listing will no doubt drive interest even further, and at least one of our major catalogues must be starting to feel red faced over their refusal so far to improve an inferior product.

So at the moment, yes, the main focus of a slowly dwindling group of pre decimal collectors may still be aimed at the basic year dates. But, there's also an ever increasing number of collectors, armed with knowledge and on the hunt for a slowly dwindling supply of quality major varieties.

A few short years down the track the vast majority of pre decimal collectors may well be including the major varieties. It's all about consistent supply of accurate information.

[r9453]

If there was a "Like" button, I would click it. Very well put, autocoupler.

[trout]

slowly dwindling group of pre decimal collectors

I think you are right about this.
I would think that most of the new collectors taking up this Hobby/Habit will tend to be focusing on the Decimal coins as most of these are available in pocket change and at very little cost.
Just getting the "Mint set Only" coins is quite enough expense for the majority of novice collectors.
To start a collection of Pre Decimal coins for many a collector is just too daunting and expensive now compared to Decimal coins especially in the higher grades.