BS: British gold coin query

Subject: BS: British gold coin query
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 12:50 PM

I have inherited a dozen British gold coins. These appear to be commemorative, not currency. They are 7/8" (22mm) in diameter and depict St George slaying the dragon on one side. The other sides show various monarchs as follows:

1877 - Victoria (young portait)
1889, 1891, 1892 - Victoria (w/ tall crown)
1897, 1900 (2x) - Victoria (w/ low crown)
1908, 1910 - Edward VII
1911, 1926 - George V
1958 - Elizabeth II

I would like to find out the provenance (and of course the value) of these coins. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:00 PM

They are Gold Soverigns, they are currency, and have a face value of £5 each, but they're obviously worth much more than that to a collector.
A good reputable auction house, such as Christies or Sothebys will give you an estimate of their value.

Or put "Gold Soverign" into google, to see if their is any coin collectors forums etc that could give an idea as to the value.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: GUEST,Jimmy.C.
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:15 PM

I agree,
They are Gold Soverigns and worth much more than their face value. The last one I came across was going for about around $ 450.00 canadian. Theye are probably worth even more now as that was a while ago.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:19 PM

According to this site=
www.goldsovereigns.co.uk they are worth between $100 and $300 each depending on age and condition.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:20 PM

Go to Ebay.co.uk and click on "coins" then on "gold bullion" and you will get an idea of what they are fetching. They are sovereigns, not half sovreigns and will be worth over £50 each and maybe as much as £60-70 depending on age and condition.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:25 PM

British Gold Coins 1663-1925

I believe a gold sovereign had a face value of £1 and there was a half-sovereign worth 10 shillings. Some special coins worth £2 and £5 were also created, but for special occasions only, I think.

As jOhn says, if these are original sovereigns your inheritance will be quite valuable.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:35 PM

If you don't need the money straight away it could be worth keeping them for a while, as they'll probably go up in value, but keep them in a secure place and get them insured, a dozen gold sovereigns could be worth a lot of money, a few thousand dollars.

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: artbrooks
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 02:10 PM

Go to your local library and look for this: "Standard Catalog of World Coins".

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 02:38 PM

Thank you all for the information. Mudcat rocks!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 05:45 PM

MichaelR:

Sotheby's also maintains experts in a all kinds of antique things who will do appraisal for you.

A

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 05:50 PM

If you want to send them to me to be appraised I can guarantee that they will come to no harm in my underground...

Whoops, sorry. Meant I will get them back to you of course.

:D

Subject: RE: BS: British gold coin query
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 07:10 PM

You need to check whether they are in mint, lightly used or heavily used condition. That affects their value to collectors. The gold value would be high anyway.

Dont let them get mixed with the choccy coins off the Christmas tree, you'll loose your teeth!