The Very Highest Quality Book Reviews...


Coin Book Reviews Return to Coin Book Reviews Chard 24 Carat Home Page

Grading British Coins
Grading British Coins

Grading British Coins, The Standard Guide to
Modern milled British pre-decimal issues (1979 to 1970)
by Derek Francis Allen, Published by Rotographic
With photos of every coin type in every encountered grade.

Respect
It is an ambitious project to publish a grading guide such as this, and we must pay respect to the author for his energy and effort in compiling the photographs, which obviously involves obtaining or viewing all the coin types in each grade. Similar grading guides to American have been published decades ago, so it was probably overdue for a British equivalent.

Mixed Feelings
I, (Lawrence Chard), do have mixed feelings on the need for coin grading guides. When I saw my first example of a grading book for U.S. coins, probably about 40 years ago, I groaned and thought it pathetic that American coin collectors needed a manual to tell them how to grade every single American coin. I do concede, though, that for inexperienced collectors, it is probably a worthwhile addition to the library.
Recently, one of our staff, an assistant numismatist, bought a copy of this book. I had been aware of it previously, but had not summoned the enthusiasm to acquire a copy. I borrowed the book for a weekend, and made a few brief notes, which I seem to remember e-mailing to myself, and when I find them, I will expand them into a more complete review here.

Another Copy
Some time later, another staff member volunteered to undertake some numismatic training, and she also acquired her own copy of the book, as she found her colleagues book useful.
There lies a recommendation in itself, that we now have two copies of the book on our premises, and they are useful. How long before we get a third copy?

I Beg to Differ
I increased the positivity of my prejudicial attitude when on page 6, I read "Now, as well as my love of coins, I would confess to a love of the English language", but then laughed when on page 19, the author said "...where on side of a coin is a different grade to the other". He should of course have said "different from". I am aware that a large proportion of native English speakers get this wrong, but surely not somebody who professes a love of the English language! Alright, I may be pedantic, but it's because I like the English language. It may be of comfort to Derek to know that Jeremy Paxman makes the same error, and also defends it stating that language evolves. Highly educated and high profile media speakers and writers should not defend their corruption of the language, otherwise it devolves into "escherry".

Watch This Space
I will return and add comments where I believe a coin is not a great example of its grade, and as a keen observer will be able to deduce, if I can jump on the wrong choice of preposition, I will not hang back from an honest appraisal of the more important points.

Full Review Coming Eventually!
A full review of will appear here shortly.

Price £12.99

Do you have any comments about our book reviews?


...at the Lowest Possible Price

32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England.
Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081 ; Fax 408058; E-mail:
The URL for our main page is: https://24carat.co.uk
Chard(1964) Ltd