SlowFrog

Lovely coins! I have two already otherwise would have snapped it up! Great price - GLWS.

1896 please

The Royal Mint finally got back to me and at least offered an apology and reason (out of stock) this time. They have part shipped my order. The Little Treasures bar won't be available until early in the new year. Either they don't have a system that tracks stock properly, or they knowingly sell items that are out of stock without informing the customer. Perhaps both. Either way, it seems inexcusable, especially given that the bars were specifically advertised in the "Christmas Gifts" section which obviously implies you'll get them in time for Christmas. Three weeks passed and they didn't even bother to send a single update to let me know what was happening. The status page didn't change at all. Absolute shambles.

Can I have 10 please?

You're correct!

Just watched this and although I'm sure many will be familiar with Sreetips, I thought this link might be interesting for those that haven't yet seen any of his videos: Not often you get to see the natural pour ripples with a pure gold bar of that size!

Same. Don't like bars and wouldn't buy a second-hand one because I'm way less confident re authenticity. Might feel different with a Sigma but buying from the RM and having receipts made them a much easier purchase for me. Still not received them. Didn't even get a reply to my email!

Also still waiting! I sent a proper Karen email on Friday so at least that made me feel better. Season of goodwill and all that..

Great price for many reasons!

Same, once it's been cemented with the admins, I'm happy to commit to buying a ticket / number.

Some folks can afford more than others, so we could say £10 for a raffle ticket basically. Buy as many as you want and each obviously increases chances of winning. Might be easier to hit the target with fewer members? Just a thought. Hope I manage to keep the same dignity. Wishing you all the best.

I think you raise a couple of really good points. Especially not sure why anyone would fake an 1876 with more gold and this degree of accuracy. If you're gonna invest your time doing it, I'm thinking there'd be plenty of better options. Still, who knows, maybe it's precisely because no one would suspect it!

Cracking post! Appreciate seeing all these together - the range of differences is really quite remarkable. I'm personally not convinced they'd be nailing a 22 carat alloy each and every time back then. "We're missing the copper delivery, Joey! I reckon Mick's pissed again. Ah bugger it, I'll just throw in some extra gold.."

Even in Australia, in 1876?

So, in the reference photo we're looking at as a genuine sov, the s is super close to the neckline. In the suspect coin, it's a little further away. Now check this one via BBP - hahaha. I have no idea what to make of any of it at this point. Full link for reference: https://www.bullionbypost.co.uk/gold-sovereign-specific-year/victoria-young-head-1871-1887/1876-gold-sovereign-victoria-young-head-s/

Not sure what you're disagreeing with. I'm just saying the S isn't rotated differently as was mentioned earlier in thread. I absolutely agree that it's closer to the neckline, though! But do also look at the perspective of the suspect coin, it's clearly been taken at a bit of an angle which is why I've said it'd be great to get someone that knows what they're doing take really good (and fair) comparison photographs.

The mint mark isn't really twisted, it was just the rotation and perspective differences between the two photographs. It's a shame that the 'questionable coin' doesn't have a pic directly from above because they could then be aligned better. However, it does look like it's a smaller 'S' mint mark but that isn't too odd as far as I understand? Atkinson's photo from a narrow angle was the most concerning from my perspective, otherwise I think this would probably have fooled me if I am completely honest. That's why I feel we should try to learn from it if it is a fake, and if not, then it'd be good to know that too. Could it just be a genuine anomaly? I'd love Mr. Chard's opinion on this one!

I feel like scrapping it could be a wasted opportunity to learn more about spotting them so none of us make the same mistake (in terms of buying, or selling). I'd love for one of our most knowledgeable members to have it so they can first take pics and perhaps share any of the weird or noticeable things about it. Additional scans would also be good of course (and then scrap it afterwards).

Yep, would be great if a trusted member like Dave can get it, I'd love to know his opinion after taking a closer look!

Haven't contacted them but have checked status and it just says "processing" so I guess they haven't got them in stock and I'll be waiting a while.

Very kind gesture 👍

Also still waiting! Thought I'd check back here to see if anyone else is in the same boat.. What a joke! No call or email to update on status.. which is ridiculous for something that was advertised as a Christmas gift.

Someone owes you a pint, Leon! And no, it's not me

I just spotted this in the graded section: Stunning coin and I didn't want to start a new topic on his sales thread. It occurred to me that if you go and spend that kind of money on a coin from the Royal Mint, are you not justified in expecting it to come back as a PF70? It's like seeking an expert appraisal, and them finding that the product you've been supplied isn't quite up to the quality control standard that it should be. I'm just thinking that I'd be a bit annoyed to say the least (if it was me), and I'm sure many of you have probably been in that boat before! Curious what others reckon!

Happy for you mate. The more we can get some dosh back our overlords the better!