Skyfiller

I was anxious about whether recipients would be happy with their box, but it looks like I needn't have been.
I still don't know who got the sovereigns.
A little more information about Royal Mail (Are they as bad as Royal Mint). They completely failed to collect the boxes on the pre-arranged day.
Then what we expected to be £11 per box postage got jacked up to almost £30 each. This was probably our fault, as the weight was about 80 grams over our original estimate. We probably should have left the drinks thingy out, and there was no spare time to reduce the weight or arrange a different parcel service. Hey-ho!
 

Welcome and happy stacking 🪙

I'm playing with mine tonight. Only using an iphone but got a cheap £20 macro lens off of amazon. Below is where I've got to on a 2021 sovereign, just need to sort out a diffuser to photograph through to loose the reflections. Also using a stand for the phone to keep it steady.
 

My latest date run sovereign bought from @Tn21  A nice  MS64 1976 Sovereign.  

@Divmad
My advice would be to buy sovereigns as close to spot that you can.
In order of preference I’d buy in this order:
1st: Joint 1st Victoria Shield obverse sovereigns.
1st: Joint 1st George V branch mint sovereigns, Canada, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and South Africa.
2nd: Gillick sovereigns, 1957-1968.
3rd: 2022 sovereign both proof and bullion, also 2002 and 2012.
The above is just my opinion of course but particularly George V branch mint sovereigns are somewhat overlooked.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the above.
If I was just starting out right now I’d buy as many 2022 bullion sovereigns as I could afford.

@westminstrel I love having open debate with people of opposing sides and I'm from a generation where I can disagree with someone but still respect them, and their right to have their say without being "offended" or getting up set.  Some of my best conversations are with people who I don't like personally yet respect them enough to hear their point of view, something many people could do with learning.   
 

https://harringtonandbyrne.co.uk/pages/jubileesovereign

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I've just downloaded and used this app on a few coins and it seems to work! It makes sense that coins will have a very specific ring to them. Any one with more experience than me (every on here I should imagine!) used it and have any comments positive or negative about it? Should I be trusting it?
 

Bartered in pubs, where do you drink mate?    We think we are doing well when theres a meat raffle on! 

I find that sticking 14 dry crackers in your mouth beforehand soaks up all the saliva ( then just take a deep breath and blow) 
Please dont follow this advice unless really skilled 😁

This is 100% real ........My DIY shop wanted 10 pence each per washer..........Thought I could do it for less.  
 

Wow, totally missed this...gutted, I'm surprised that dealers weren't on here pushing this it could have probably worked out very well for them. They get sales and we get gold at less than spot

Thanks @trp

My mistake. Correct person. Wrong number! Ticket number 63, which is @SilverDrum! Sorry for the confusion. 
 
Draw post has been edited to correct the mistake. 

@trpLet me know what you want to do as SilverDrum & SilverAngelPouring have already been chatting and may have sorted something out already.

I recently purchased the GVS Bullion Tester from GVS Bullion Group based in Austria.   While I do have the Sigma Metalytics PMV Pro Mini, I always firmly believed that no one testing equipment or method is perfect.  If you can throw a battery of tests at a precious metal in question and it passes each one, then you can be very confident that the PM you have in your hand is genuine.  
What I liked about the GVS Bullion Tester is that it shares one feature with the Sigma - it can test through packaging or capsules like the Sigma.  This advantage (among others) is what caught my interest and helped me to pull the trigger on getting one.
When UPS delivered my order to me, I was surprised to see how big the box was.  Upon closer inspection, it is actually two smaller boxes taped together.   The first box contained the scale, and the second box contained a powerful magnet.  Both items were carefully wrapped and placed in a styrofoam tray; both items were protected with a massive amount of peanut foam packaging to protect it from shipping damage.   I give 10/10 to GVS for really going over and beyond for their packaging!
The scale is super easy to use.  Instructions are succinct and to the point.  Some easy assembly is required (just follow the instructions) and let the scale sit for a minimum of 12 hours for the springs in the scale to settle.  Turn the power on and wait for it to cycle through, which takes a few seconds.   Then Tare the display to zero and start testing the precious metals.   Compare digital readout display to GVS PM charts and see the range for what you are testing for.   If it is within range, it is genuine.   If it is fake, it will throw a very high negative value as well as having an extremely strong pull from the scale's magnet.    
When combining the Sigma and the GVS scale to test precious metals, I am 99% confident of the test results and the authenticity of the precious metal in question.   Next to the Sigma, the GVS Bullion Tester is a significant piece of equipment that works as described.  It is well built and and does what it claims.   I have tested a few fakes in my possession and it caught them all.  
My purchase price for the GVS Bullion Tester was 805 Euros + 45.90 Euros for expedited shipping (which is approximately $1,296.10 Canadian dollars, which I charged to my MasterCard).  Import brokerage charges and taxes came to $72.14 Canadian dollars.   Total cost landed came to $1,368.24 Canadian dollars.    Edit: GVS has increased the price of this unit from the time I bought it.  This magnetic scale is now selling at 966 Euros + shipping, as per their website.
For more information on the GVS Bullion Tester, see the link below:
 
GVS Bullion | Test Devices (gvs-bullion.com)
 
Here are some pictures of the GVS Bullion Tester...






 
Conclusions:
After testing the GVS Bullion Tester, I personally feel that it is a good piece of equipment that can help you to detect fakes and validate your PM.  This equipment is not for everyone.  You'll need to be a serious stacker and/or collector in order to take advantage of this useful equipment.  If you are only buying several ounces of PM, your best bet would be to get your local bullion dealer to authenticate your PM.   If you can only afford to buy one test equipment and money is an issue, the GVS Bullion Tester would be my first choice over the Sigma.   Not saying the Sigma is bad, but if you are looking for reliable but lowest price testing equipment, the GVS Bullion Tester wins hands down.  If you are in the market for new testing equipment, I hope this review helps you decide.
Pros:
1) Can test through capsules and packaging like the Sigma
2) Cost of purchase is approximately 50% cheaper than my Sigma PMV Pro Mini (at time of writing)
3) Can detect fakes that the Sigma failed to pick up
4) Can test a stack of bullion coins or individually
5) A PM's magnetism can't be faked, making this a perfect tool 
6) Comes with a universal AC power adapter plug that works anywhere worldwide (make sure to inquire and request one that fits and works specifically for your country)
7) Can be combined with other testing methodologies to (double or triple) confirm the authenticity of a PM 
Cons:
1) It is still relatively expensive to buy when compared to other testing methodologies
2) You cannot use the magnetic scale near metallic objects (minimum distance required from metal objects is 3.28 feet, or 1 meter)
3) You need to "Tare" the scale every time you test a new PM.
4) Magnetic scale is a sensitive piece of equipment, and therefore caution is needed for proper handling, use, and storage
 
 
 

I'm in with a 2022 Silver Britannia please.