kimchi

Thanks for posting that video.
It does not really bring an end to the discussion, but it does add a useful insight.
From the limited evidence of the two videos, I suspect that "Jenny's" bar may have been one of a sub-standard batch.
In the Silver Joker video, the dealer makes the idiotic statement that "the chance of the supplier or manufacturer making a sub-standard batch is zero". While the dealer might be a decent guy, and well-intentioned, he is not strong on logic.
Nothing and nobody is ever perfect (Not even me!) 🙂 (Even though my theme tune is by Eddi Reader and Fairground Attraction)

Thanks for posting the link, it was interesting and entertaining.
It is a pity that @Spegtacular couldn't get the bar XRF tested, although it sounds like he tried his best.
I know you are also a fan of multi-testing, using different testing methods, and you are quite right. Sometime soon, we at @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer must get around to adding a whole lot of other testing facilities. One of the best is actually "years of experience", which is what I used to tell people when I was 16. 🙂
Spegtacular is also correct that fire testing, or cupellation, is still the most accurate testing method for precious methods. It's drawbacks include that it is destructive, and also it requires time, access to a furnace, equipment, acids, and considerable experience. On the plus side it works well in batch or mass use, and that's how Assay Offices can perform assays at very low cost.
Substandard silver bars, or other precious metal items are, in my opinion, more dangerous and more worrying than fake ones.
This blog tells the story of what happened when we got an abnormal result from our Niton XRF machine on a Krugerrand. At first I thought Rand Refineries and the South African Mint were issuing sub-standard coins. 
https://www.chards.co.uk/blog/krugerrand-gold-content/507
The main conclusion: cupellation is best...
Although it seems like Jim Lewis should try copulation, as it is more fun.
 

Maybe this video from the silver joker brings an end to the discussion? 
 

2021 1oz Niue Star Wars - Galactic Empire .999 Silver BU    is out
The second release in the Symbols of Star Wars Series features the Galactic Empire. This coin features the officially licensed Imperial Crest of the mighty Galactic Empire .
Purity 999
Condition Brilliant Uncirculated
Mintage25,000
Packaging Tubes of 20/ Box of 200
   

 
https://www.europeanmint.com/2021-1oz-niue-star-wars-galatic-empire-silver-bu-coin/
https://goldsilver.be/en/coins/3902-niue-1-oz-silver-star-wars-galactic-empire-2021-2.html
https://www.lpm.hk/2021-1oz-niue-star-wars-galactic-empire-999-silver-bu-coin.html
 

One of our forum members, Spegtacular, was banned from Reddit for posting a warning on a silver bar that was tested less than 999 silver.   See below link to YouTube for details:
(13) A silver bar testing less than pure! I was banned on Reddit for warning people. - YouTube
Side note: I have bought both silver and gold from silvergoldbull with zero issues.   All tested 100% valid on my Sigma Metalytics Mini Pro.   I have not purchased the 10 oz Wall Street Silver bar that is part of this controversy.  Was thinking about it, but decided not to.   I probably will not risk buying one (now or in the future) for fear of getting a fake.   
 

I for one don't count the completer as part of the QB set. It is a nice coin I am sure. But the Royal mint shouldn't have released it afterwards. It feels the same as they would suddenly up all the mintages. All this prevents me from buying it or counting it as part of the set. 
 

It's definitely coming acording to the Gazette, and I suspect the mintage won't be limited.  So the price should be similar to other 10 oz QB silver bullion coins.
I'm fully intend to buy one.

Up to date with my swans now thanks to Martin at Silvertrader. 

You need to have a conversation with Steve Hill!     Seriously well done for your work! 👍
Got one for you mate.
2018 Piedfort sovereign.   page 158 (353) just says Piedfort no reference to the 65 privy mark as the pervious mention no(352)
Also the mintage figure is wrong shows 2,750.    RM sales figures 1930.   Also they only ever sold 1930 how come my COA is 2289?  I know the COA are most probably auto generated but mines a number higher  than they sold!
2018 SOTD Georges 5th Birthday (354) plain edge   Book says 457 sales figures show  485 were 28 returned and melted down? 
I have both and more than happy to buy 2 modern sovereigns both with R rating.   
 

The 2021 edition of Marsh did not add many new Die number discoveries to the full sovereign list (p.96).  Today I examined eBay’s listing of full sovereigns but I could only find one unrecorded Die number:
1871 Die 90 (item 333731856361)
Interestingly, the superb Bentley Collection of sovereigns (as stated in the auction catalogue Part 1 in a Table between lots 97 and 98) only added five new Die numbers to an earlier edition of Marsh (in about 2002).  Whilst the Bentley Collection concentrated on quality, I think this does show that it is much more difficult to find previously unrecorded full sovereign Die numbers which is probably because sovereigns have been much more avidly collected than half sovereigns.
 
Also regarding sovereigns, on this Forum there has been a debate about the number of 2018 SOTD of 65th Anniversary of the Coronation Sovereign that were sold.  According to the Royal Mint's 2018 sales page, 650 were sold:
https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/mintage-figures/2018-dated-uk-commemorative-coin-sales/
However, the recent edition of Marsh (p.163) states that only 323 were struck.  Can someone provide an original reference source for the 323 figure?  Otherwise, this may be another alteration required.
 
Also on p.163, the date for the 2021 95th Birthday SOTD sovereign will need to be changed to 12th June 2021.

As I stated in my original post, the 2021 edition of Marsh has not added many new Die number discoveries to the half sovereign list (p.187).  So, on Friday (30/4/21) I reviewed eBay’s listing of half sovereigns and I managed to spot eight unrecorded Die numbers.  As I don’t have the copyright for the pictures, I am not showing them, but I have listed the eBay items’ numbers:
1865 Die 12 (item 313319460272)
1865 Die 24 (item 164169726902)
1871 Die 68 (item 223622642371)
1872 Die 124 (item 153279604923)
1873 Die 278 (item 324583971493 – listed as 1872)
1874 Die 10 (item 402328242603)
1877 Die 40 (item 153797177047)
1878 Die 50 (item 402636885621)
This shows that discoveries of new half sovereign die numbers can be made and it would be useful to keep a track of them.
As I mentioned in my original post, I have an 1867 Die 2 half sovereign which is unrecorded in the 2021 edition of Marsh, so I am now showing it.

I start by saying The Gold Sovereign Series is a superb book, but it is almost inevitable that omissions and errors will have occurred when such wide-ranging topics are covered.  I think it would be good to have a thread which brings together possible suggested amendments to future editions.  So, I will start off with things that I have spotted.
On p.32, the Matt BU 2019 quintuple sovereign is omitted.
On p.36, the Matt BU 2020 quintuple sovereign looks to be illustrated but it is not listed (only the 2020 proof version is listed).
On p.59, the obverse head illustrated appears to be from the £2 Britannia bicoloured coin rather than from a double sovereign (both the obverse and reverse illustrated show the date “2015” – so this would be a very rare mule!).
Also on p.59, the bullion double sovereigns for 2020 and 2021 are omitted.
On p.96, hardly any new sovereign die number discoveries have been added since the previous edition (I’ve only spotted one).  It would be useful to have a listing in one place of any new die number discoveries.
On p.158, the 2019 sovereign is listed as “normal” (No.355), but there are in fact three types: proof, bullion and Matt BU.  And in 2020 there was a Matt BU sovereign with the GR privy mark (with reeded edge which is not a SOTD).
On p.187, only about five new half sovereign die numbers have been added since the previous edition.  It would be useful to have a listing in one place of any new die number discoveries.  I have an 1867 Die 2.
On p.227, there still appears to be confusion over which half sovereigns between 2009 and 2015 have the letters “B. P.” to the right of the date.  As far as I can work out, the years 2009 and 2010 do not have “B. P.” next to the date, whilst 2011 to 2015 (excluding the special 2012) do.  Do people agree with this?
On p.228, bullion half sovereigns for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 (all with no privy marks) are omitted.
 
So, as you read your copy, have you spotted anything?  Have you any die numbers to add?

He was on that Juice back in the day. 
Ripped

I think they are very attractive and also very cheap for what they are, you can pick up an UNC Gillick for around the price of a new 2021 sovereign, don't mind paying a few quid more.  Hands down the Gillick blows the new sovereigns completely away.  The alloy that's it's made from has a lovely sheen/patina and tones with a lovely reddish colour, some testing has shown the sovereigns of this era to contain 1 part silver and I think this is what give the sovereign its beautiful finish.   Also I do appreciate the craftsmanship that's gone into the die work on the older Sovereigns as a skilled person has actually crafted the die.  The new Sovereign dies are just laser cut 12 at a time in a machine for 4 hours this is why they are in low relief.  On the reverse where the sword passes over the horse looks like it's been badly photoshopped and highlights the limitations of this new die making process in my opinion. 
Collecting for the bullion price v's numismatic can be debated endlessly and ultimately the choice of the buyer, I do have many beautiful Victoria young heads.  I split my sovereign collection into 2 groups.  Numismatic for the gems and semi-numismatic for the bullion/investment and enjoying really great coins for the best value possible I call it "Bonus Bullion".  If you can save/invest money and enjoy doing it at the same time making a hobby from it then it's like getting paid to play golf or go cycling.   
 
Happy to talk 
 
Dave
 
 

My first post here....Thank God for this forum and for bft6969's post. I just almost got taken by the fake buffalo mentioned here on Craigslist. https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/clt/d/oak-lawn-gold-buffalo-coin/7236421934.html I was moments away from meeting up to purchase this when I got suspicious. The seller offered to sell it to me for $73 under spot and I wondered why he would not just stumble into any coin shop. That is when I found this thread and decided to investigate further.
It seems there are too many coins with the same PCGS number out there.  
PCGS company cannot verify the authenticity of the coin. 506885.70/81852632
https://www.pcgs.com/cert type in this number 81852632 and you get "Notice from PCGS Management: If you own the item with this certification number, please contact Stephanie Marine at 949-567-1296 for an important message."
Here is one for sale with the exact same PCGS number for $2600. https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-American-Buffalo-9999-Fine-Gold-PCGS-/392968098714 probably also a fake
Anyway. Thank you thank you thank you bft6969.
This internet company uses the same PCGS number as well... https://www.moderncoinmart.com/2011-w-50-gold-buffalo-pcgs-pr70-dcam-proof-70-deep-cameo.html 
Edit:Getting to the bottom of it....
 Here is the end of the trail. Same PCGS number shipped direct from China Gold plated Tungsten  
https://www.bonanza.com/listings/American-Buffalo-2011-fine-gold-plated-1-5-grams-999-gold-graded-PF70-one-troy/619403465

I've been trying to find a place who will sell gold/silver to me for cash, maybe I should have a look around car boots, but my main worry here is picking up a fake, Im very new to metal purchasing so could easily be duped into buying something thats not real gold/silver, I contacted various real companies but they all told me to use their website and theres no purchases in the shop in real life.
The car boots ive been to just seem riddled with dodgy stuff other than the odd family who is selling stuff cheap, but not gold or silver.

Ha ha ha no don't be sad, I was joking, I loved the chocolate and seeds 😄 The "really heavy shiny yellow packaging junk" I was so dismissive of was the actual bullion, I was pretending it was the chocolate and seeds I'd actually wanted and the rest was irrelevant packaging!  Sorry I wasn't clear 😄
 

Hi Millicent
I am really sorry you didn't like our gifts. We are celebrating our 12th Birthday and what you received was a packet of wild flower seeds to help butterflies and bees and also a small bar of chocolate which was made by a local Swiss chocolatier. 
We have gone to a lot of trouble to do something nice, so I do feel a bit saddened by your comments.
If you want to ensure we do not send any additional materials in your package please add a note to your future orders and we will do our best to minimise the contents.
Kind regards
Caroline

I like collecting older sovereigns and buy the best condition as close to the sovereign bullion price I can.  The older sovereigns with  silver in the alloy are far more attractive than the modern bullion sovereigns IMO. You can pick up  good quality Marry Gillick (first portrait QE2) for very reasonable prices I feel these are under rated at the moment. 
If you can “stack” with semi-numismatic gold with no or little premium over the bullion price then you can’t go wrong. 
 
Cheers 
D 

My 3 remaining please BYB, just to confirm  

I clocked the queue starting at 20 minutes before the hour on this release. I have seen other releases, such as The Three Graces queued at 30 minutes prior, if I recall. And typically others are nominally 15 minutes. The reason I recall these is that I am setting my alarm for 0325 or so in the morning to be prepared. Five hour time difference can be painful...the worst was several weeks awaiting The Three Graces release...but perseverance paid off with that one!
I would hope so, buddy!! I picked up the 5 oz and 1 oz Silver Proof. Will likely get the 1 oz Bullion when I save up more funds from all this time working the second career.

Yes the low grade C will carry a lesser premium on resale, but also the "Minty" option may not retain all the dealers premium when sold privately. Even the mint coins will get spot on resale to dealers. The happy middle ground is the Secondary, or finding good deals on minty fresh coins as the are available.  
Truth is that they are all good purchase's, as long as the spot goes up 😅
 
Also noted that the quoted price's are for "Order-able" products, for which you could have an indefinite wait for delivery. If looking to hold your gold any time soon i would purchase else where! 

@papabearxxx i see you are in London - to ensure immediate in hand delivery, you can look at buying in person 
you got Hatton Garden Metals & Baird & Co, in Hatton Garden  
ATS Bullion at the Savoy Hotel
and Sharps Pixley close to The Ritz on St James St 
All dealer with great rep

given the unique terms you have like "MINTY" "GRADE C" it singles them out as a certain UK dealer you are considering buying from 
whatever you are buying, read your fine print before committing, or you may find youll have to wait weeks or months to get them in your hand
Not a great business practice, selling stuff you don't have, but some buyers seems to like it to save a couple of quid on the purchase price

That was the issue. I asked for a quote for full insurance and he offered partial insurance. I said OK if you can accept that risk. Oddly enough, he did not!