Esjayc

As I found out even when trying to use vouchers for capsules and tubes!

'Blood Money' 👀

Any ideas about this one - n 1857. To me, it looks as if the 5 may be over something else? Also it looks like an 8 over 8? A seller's photo:

Apologies - was sarcasm in my post, as the thread seems to be about coins with bids much higher than their worth 🙂. The post was linking a visibly damaged half sov going for (currently) £226.85 inc postage, which yes, the description does indeed say "Good used condition, slightly rough around the edge having been mounted"

Now come along, those gouges it specific intervals around the reverse rim make this one special! Definitely not ex-jewellery... 🤪

And what a beauty it is! Although from the photo, it doesn't seem to be showing much...? 🤭

My bullion sovereigns and britannias are in capsules, placed in tubes. I've been lucky in that my britannias are generally in as new condition (or purchased new), and my bullion sovereigns are in good grades (with the exception of one or two, which just float around outside of capsules / get handled). I still view good condition bullion sovereigns as potentially being more sellable if I keep them in good condition. Also the older ones, even if worn from circulation (prior to 1914), I see as historical and I should preserve them as they are. But we each have our thoughts and opinions on stuff like that. I stack and collect, and find interest in the different mintages, mint marks etc. When I come to liquidate... if I have for example 10 1914 sovereigns, I will liquidate the most worn / circulated first, retaining the better ones. But I can also see why people don't bother putting them in capsules, want to hold them. I can also understand those wanting to 'max out' a tube if they have the quantity to do so, to save on space, which capsules would take up.

Fair comment 😂

Agreed - not a major issue! Just curious as to "why" they'd print and publish (online and on the packaging / certificates) different weights for (apparently, putting aside finish) the same coins 🙂

RM says the quarter sovereign in proof, has a different weight comparted to the bullion coin... I've noticed that the bullion coin is listed as "1.99g", yet proofs are listed as "2.00 grams" according to the Royal Mint's own website (screen captures below), and on the blister packs / cards. In contrast, according to 'The Gold Sovereign' book by Marsh (revised by Hill) 2021, on page 232, the weight is stated generally for both proof and bullion as "1.997 grams" So... If Marsh & Hill are correct in that all proofs and bullions are 1.997 grams, does this mean the RM is wrong about the proofs being exactly 2 grams? If so... dare I say Trade Descriptions 😂 (I'm saying that tongue in cheek, I know its a tiny amount of gold in difference)! If the RM is right, why would a proof weigh a tad more than a bullion coin? I bought a proof 2009 when first issued, and picked up a blister pack 2022 memorial... just noticed this difference in statements about the weight and scratching my head about why the RM quotes different weights for bullion versus proof (?). Indeed the full sovereign, is quoted by RM as being the same weight regardless of proof or bullion issue. Any ideas what's going on here? Then again, it is the RM...

They're also doing a carded 2012, a tad cheaper than a loose one.

@martysov I go for sovereigns as the premium which is paid for them over the spot price, is lower (generally) than on britannias. Sovereign in 22kt versus 999 fine gold Britannia... A comparable, would be to look at Royal Mint or a dealer's website for the price of their 'best value sovereign' versus the '1/4 Britannia'. Of course, sov is 22kt, brit will be 24kt (if since 2013) and a slight weight difference. But these are the most 'comparable' in size/weight of the range of sovereigns and Britannia coins. You'll find the premium on 1/4 Oz brits is more than a sovereign. Silver versus gold - everyone will have a different view, a different strategy - here's mine... It doesn't hurt to diversify on silver. But silver is expensive if bought new from Royal Mint or a dealer - you pay VAT on it and a premium over spot price. When I started obtaining precious metals as investment several years ago, I bought silver (and 1g gold) bars and a couple of sovereigns... I then did some research and learnt that CGT (capital gains tax) could come into play with bars... sure enough, CGT threshold has been decreased over the recent years, and is now only £3000 per tax year. Who knows if they might make the CGT allowance £0. You never know. Investments are about balancing (for your personal beliefs and feelings of what you're comfortable with) the risk, potential reward under that risk, diversification, and limiting /mitigating known liabilities (e.g. CGT). So I got rid of all my silver bars, gold bars, and converted the £ received into sovereigns which are CGT exempt. I have some Britannias, which I only pick up when the price is right. The smaller ones tend to be more easy to sell on... and if gold continues to climb, it'll likely be harder to sell a 1Oz Britannia than a 1/10 or 1/4 Oz. I have occasionally picked up second hand 999 fine silver 1oz Britannias (CGT exempt) if they are close to or just above spot (second hand). My view is that silver is a very long term investment, and not my primary one. Gold seems to do better, sell quicker. You often find 'milk spots' on silver Britannias. This puts off some people, and some will pay less - but it doesn't affect silver content. Something to also be mindful of. Also in terms of CGT... bars, even if minted at Royal Mint, are not CGT exempt. Only the coins with a UK face value (e.g. £10) are CGT exempt, as they're classed as legal tender. For my exit strategy (I'm mid 30s and see gold as a long term investment / part of retirement fund), I have seen people buying 'best value' or 'bullion' sovereigns due to low premiums, and then easily able to sell them on quickly. I imagine this still to be the case going forward, and safeguards me against CGT liability, and why I focus on sovereigns and half sovereigns. Worst case - if I need to sell to a dealer, they'll happily take them, as they can sell them easily. When I've come to selling the odd coin here and there, and when I've seen people advertising to sell, it seems generally that the buyers want to buy silver as cheap as possible... people buy gold, simply because it's gold, if the price is fair and reasonable. Sovereigns will always sell. Hopefully that is helpful. Don't hesitate if you have any other questions. I may not necessarily have the answers, but there is a wealth of knowledge (and opinions!) on The Silver Forum 🙂

£625... for an 1918 Bombay Mint, "Very Fine or Better"

I have a carded 1/4 bullion sov (2023 Memorial) which turned up today. The card states "1.99g" total weight, yet some proofs from previous years state "2 grams" on their certificates. These weights are confirmed on the relevant pages for proof and bullion quarter sovs on the RM website. Would have thought they'd be the same weight.

I only buy what I can afford, when I can afford it - which also means I tend to generally average out on the dips and highs (whilst the price generally trends up) Perhaps the dip we are seeing is because the spot price was 'overvalued'? Perhaps other developments in world factors (e.g. US-Ukraine funding deal) has reassured the market and pulled it back? None of us have a crystal ball 🤪

The above really is excellent advice from @HonestMoneyGoldSilver 💯 I'd add that if you want to learn more about sovereigns, what makes some rarer than others, or more collectable, the various varieties in design, from different mints (to me at first, they 'all looked much the same'!), then I highly recommend the following book: The Gold Sovereign Series - Michael A Marsh. The latest version is 'Hardcover - 28 April 2021'. You can search the ISBN number online to find it. ISBN 1908828552 In terms of buying sovereigns and half sovereigns to stack for bullion: half sovereigns will be a little more expensive than a full sovereign - this is because the smaller amount of a precious metal coin or bar that you buy, the more there is a premium to pay. I'm fairly new to this forum; I've heard great things about premium membership (currently only £1 for the first month) and this unlocking the ability to view many more adverts on the forum of folks selling their coins/bars. I am yet to do this, and I shall get around to it. I take a while to find my feet. I've been stacking sovereigns and half sovereigns for bullion (and if an unusual or rare one comes up at the right price, collecting those too). So far, I've used dealers such as Chards, Hatton Garden Metals, Atkinsons, to obtain what they tend to call 'best value'. These should arrive as coins in a decent condition, and are basically second hand coins. Often, they are circulated older coins, but some modern ones turn up. I've had anything from 'Jubilee head Victoria' right the way through to Charles, in 'best value'. I've even had a couple of rare coins in 'best value' too (e.g. an 1889 Sydney Mint Victoria, rated as R3 rarity in the Marsh book... number 140). There are also 'best value' Britannias in their various weights (1/10, 1/4, 1/2, 1 Troy Oz). If you want Britannias with the newer security features, these have been minted since 2021. Note that Brits became 24 karat from 2013 (before 2013, they were 22 karat, same as all old and modern sovereigns). Hopefully this info is also helpful 🙂 Also... welcome to the forum!

Britannias (and their derivatives produced by Royal Mint with a Sterling denomination) and sovereigns will be CGT free... depends on how much you'd be planning on selling during a tax year in the future / what successive government decisions are on CGT allowance!

If you can afford a Sigma, it is worth it... expensive initially, but my philosophy was once I purchased it, then it's always there. I have the Pro Mini.

Bullion / best value sovereigns (and half sovereigns, if at the right price) - buy with low premiums... you may sell at low premiums when you need to sell, but they'll sell fast if you need to liquidate them and get cash.

It was over 50kg, plus the pallet it came on. With some swearing and persuasion, I did get it in. I'd recommend a two-man lift and a dolly on wheels. However, the smaller ones will be more manageable. Largest (my one): https://www.safe.co.uk/products/phoenix-titan-1283k.html Medium: https://www.safe.co.uk/products/phoenix-titan-1282k.html Small: https://www.safe.co.uk/products/phoenix-titan-1281k.html (didn't buy it from those folks - it was some time ago and can't remember the supplier). If you trust people in your house, installing a safe, these companies can offer that at additional fee (usually a couple of hundred quid from memory). I didn't want anyone knowing I was buying a safe for home / courier knowing it was going to my home / anyone coming to my home to install it... so I got it delivered to a different site (a work compound), borrowed a truck, and got it home. I was happy having a ground floor installation (bolted into concrete foundation). The smaller ones shouldn't be too troublesome if you're happy lifting things around 30KG.

They also do code versions of it, if you don't want a key.

Everything is stored off site. However, for household docs, passport, and when PM arrives (before going off site), I use a Phoenix Titan FS1283K. Why I chose it - I prefer a key, to a code / combi / electronic lock. It's 60 minute fire proof (docs, electricals such as flash drives, hard drives), comes with shelving inside (can hold 3 shelves, plus comes with a drawer at the top). It's also drop proof. Insurance companies recognise it. Can bolt it to the floor (bolts supplied with it... it's heavy AF anyway!). I thought the price was good compared to other similar ones. Once I found the model number, I shopped around for price/delivery just by googling it. They do smaller ones too. Mine is the largest in that particular range, I believe. Depends what you want it for etc. Ensure any safe you order turns up in discreet packaging. Don't want the neighbours to know what's coming on the pallet...! Even better - get it delivered somewhere else first, then bring it home yourself. Courier won't know where it's headed to either that way. 😜

Damn, just noticed the prices are 'ex-VAT' . Keeping it in round figures, the '£70' 100g bars are more like £85 at checkout.

I've posted this in the Silver Deals thread (appreciate this one is for Gold), but thought it was brilliant - silver bars (various sizes) being sold at spot at HGM: https://www.hattongardenmetals.com/gold-silver-special-offers EDIT: Despite advertising as "SPOT PRICE SILVER" they then add VAT... 100g Silver bar at (round figures) £70, is £85 at checkout. Updated the Silver thread about it too.