Posts by Ian Glen
The 10 UK Coins that all collectors should own
For many people it’s difficult to know which coins they should own.
When I asked our UK Coin Specialist he selected the 10 coins below based on a combination of their numismatic interest, design excellence and accessible value. 10 coins that together are some of the most iconic British coins from the last 200 years.
They aren’t necessarily the best coins, but when brought together these coins create a comprehensive collection that is also affordable at under £500.
1. William IV Silver Half Crown:
Year of Issue: 1831 – 1837
This coin shares the design with one of the rarest Silver Crowns. During William IV’s reign Crowns were not issued for general circulation. But proofs and patterns were, and these are highly sought after. The obverse features the Bare Head portrait of William IV and the reverse design depicts a crowned shield on a mantle.
2. Queen Victoria Gothic Silver Florin:
Year of Issue: 1851 – 1887
The Florin was first introduced in Queen Victoria’s reign as an early trial of decimal currency, 100 years ahead of its time. Although we are used to seeing a crowned monarch on our coinage, the portrait of Victoria wearing a crown was unusual to the general public and it was the first coin to feature a crowned monarch for over 200 years.
3. King George VI Crown:
Year of Issue: 1951
Only two crowns were issued during the reign of King George VI. The Festival of Britain Crown was the first of these and also the first ever crown to be issued in cupronickel. The reverse of the crown features St. George slaying the Dragon, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci.
4. Queen Elizabeth II Silver Britannia
Year of Issue: 2012
Since its first issue in 1987 the 1oz Silver Britannia has become an annual staple for collectors. The Britannia reached its 25th anniversary in 2012 and to mark the occasion the original design by Philip Nathan featured on the reverse. It was also the last ever British coin to be struck from Britannia Silver (958/1000), a standard first introduced in 1696 Coinage Act.
5. Hong Kong British Trade Dollar
Year of Issue: 1895 – 1935
This coin was introduced in 1895 following China’s defeat in the Opium War. To ensure the acceptance of the dollar beyond British territories the design was given an Eastern look with the reverse featuring a Chinese labyrinth with the Chinese character ‘shou’ for longevity. It was demonetised in 1904, but continued to be minted until 1935.
6. Queen Victoria Britannia Penny: 
Year of Issue: 1839 – 1860
Despite being the longest reigning British Monarch, only three portraits were issued during Victoria’s reign. The first design – the Young Head – was the last penny to be struck from copper. In 1860 the switch was made from copper to bronze coinage. The reverse features a right facing seated Britannia holding a trident.
7. King Edward VII Silver Florin
Year of Issue: 1902 – 1910
Designed by George William de Saulles, the Standing Britannia is considered by many to be one of the most attractive designs on British coins. It was unusual for a coin design to change so dramatically, especially because the coinage had been static for nearly 60 years during Victoria’s reign.
8. King George VI Silver Sixpence:
Year of Issue: 1937 – 1946
This was the last sixpence to be issued in silver. It has long been considered lucky. When the supply of threepence coins diminished, silver sixpences were used as a replacement in Christmas puddings. The RAF also use silver sixpences as good luck charm and have them sewn behind their wings or brevets, a custom that dates back to World War II.
9. Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Crown:
Year of Issue: 1953
This was the first commemorative coin issued during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It was never entered into general circulation, and as a result is highly sought after by collectors. Designed by Gilbert Ledward, the Crown features the Queen riding on horseback, which is unusual for a UK issue.
10. Queen Elizabeth II Britannia 50p:
Year of Issue: 1969 – 1981
The world’s first 7-sided coin was introduced in 1969 to replace the 10 shilling note. The slight curved edges were designed to allow the coin to be used in vending machines without any problems. The obverse depicts Arnold Machin’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the ‘Girls of Great Britain’ tiara.
These 10 coins are now available to own as a complete set.
Messages from the trenches of the First World War
100 years on, the images of the Western Front continue to haunt us. A picture of carnage in a grey hell of barren mud. For our soldiers, life in the trenches could be a lonely experience. Just imagine being hundreds of miles away from home and in constant fear of an enemy attack.
Receiving and sending communications back home to loved ones proved a valuable morale booster and offered a brief escape from the daily horrors of war. Soldiers would send letters, souvenirs and postcards back to their family and friends and then eagerly await a reply.
Some of the most popular items to send back were embroidered postcards which have become known as WWI Silks. These colourful embroidered postcards were first produced in 1914 and continued to be produced throughout the war. Most were embroidered by French and Belgian women refugees who worked in their homes or in refugee camps. Their finished creations were then strimmed and mounted on postcards.
A card featuring the allied flags of Belgium, Great Britain and France
Their beauty and uniqueness made them popular with British soldiers serving in France and Belgium. They were often very patriotic and featured allied flags, symbols and greetings.
The embroidered panels could be quite delicate in design and many of the cards used the structure of the embroidery to create a tiny envelope which would often feature an additional greeting card.
The back of this card reveals a handwritten note to the wife of a soldier back home
Most cards were sent home in military mail pouches which not only protected the card and message in transit but also complied with Post Office regulations that they did not “inconvenience Post Office machinery”.
Once received back home there would often be no indication of what the soldiers were experiencing, sparing mothers and wives from the true horrors of war.
Almost a century after they were first issued, these WWI Silks are very collectable. We 
have limited stock available.
Please click here for details…
Why we will soon all know the story of the boy soldier on a stamp …
The prospect of going to fight for your King and Country would seem bizarre for most teenagers today.
But in 1914, that is exactly what William Cecil ‘Billie’ Tickle did. At just 15 – officially three years too young to enlist – he lied about his age and joined the British Army at the start of the First World War.
Originating from Hornsey in Middlesex, he was just an ordinary teenager but found himself in 9th Battallion, Essex Regiment, fighting alongside countless young soldiers like himself. His troop was thrust into France the following spring after training, and straight in the midst of heavy battle.
Against all odds, Private Tickle made it through until 1916 and the Battle of the Somme. On 3rd July 1916, Private 13510 Tickle was killed in action at Ovillers, and his body never found. But not before he sent a photo of himself in his uniform back home to his mother…
His mother’s handwritten note underneath describes him as ‘One of the very best.’ Billy Boy’s story is not exceptional, there are plenty more stories like his. But little did he know that one hundred years later that very photograph would be chosen by Royal Mail to feature on an official British 1st Class postage stamp.
The smiling portrait of Private Tickle appears alongside five other stamps in Royal Mail’s ‘Great War’ Issue, which is being released on Monday 28th July to coincide with the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
These stamps are now available to own on a limited edition Silver Proof Coin Cover.
NOW SOLD OUT.