Martlet

Seeing as silver is supposed to be a safe haven when the terrible hits the fan. Then why has it dropped like a stone during the biggest viral epidemic in nearly a century.
Beginning to think the silver "experts" have been conning us all these years.
If silver isn't going to go to £50 an oz during this crises, I doubt if ever will. 
 

Done but it's probably not the best title but I don't know what the discussion is about.
@sixgun @HawkHybrid

Exactly, the national bank defines the national currency in modern economy.  Its the whole point of it being "fiat", and becomes silly calling it counterfeit when it makes no claim to be a representation of something else.  That was the past.  Its like arguing a 911 must have an air-cooled engine and those made since 1998 are not real 911: the maker of the 911 says otherwise.  And more importantly no one really cares that it changed. 
I'm not sure the £ was ever defined as a sovereign (rather than vice verse), the Coinage Act 1816 which put the UK on the gold standard defined a value for a pound of gold (and not a pound of silver as used in older definitions).  So we have government defining what is currency, then people argue that the currency defined by government isnt real, using a previous government definition as proof? 
 

“Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head.”
Warren Buffett
 
Gold.
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold.
Gary and Martin Kemp.

@sovereignsteve @Booky586 @ilovesilverireallydo @JunkBond @Pipers @1817Karl @richatthecroft @AuricGoldfinger @Stu @Notafront4adragon @Martlet @Seasider @1817Karl @dicker @silenceissilver
We have a conclusion!
First off, thank you all for your contributions. It's super helpful having a community like this to share knowledge. Sorry if I missed anyone! 
I took the coins back to the dealer today who was actually very good about it. Conclusion was; 
1915 - good! It's tests as 22ct, which is consistent with the suggested findings from the specific gravity test. It's weight is also good. Per the consensus on this thread, it appears it may have a mint error mark. The dealer had no concerns with it. 
1903 - not good! The chap barely had it in his hand a few seconds before scowling, apologising and saying it shouldn't have been sold. He didn't give much more information than that, but it's going for melt and I took another half home as a replacement (which weighs and measures good). 
p.s. If anyone tells me the below is a fake I may have a heart attack 😨😂

Great data bomb, though looks like it doesnt solve the matter.  The extra thickness of the 1915 would indicate ~10% extra material, but weight is on spec. This, along with other outliers, leads me to conclude the measurement is suspect (and it is difficult with coins).  If they are fake they are not the usual obvious ones, except that odd "scratch" on the 1915.  Assuming the dealer checks stuff coming in, i'd reckon they contain the expected amount of gold, even if they are copies.

@sovereignsteve @Booky586 @ilovesilverireallydo @JunkBond @Pipers @1817Karl @richatthecroft @AuricGoldfinger @Stu
You've all responded to the thread, so forgive me for the notification but thought you may be interested in further findings! 😄
Firstly some measurements. I did all 10 half sovereigns (the tight fits being the top 2) and a few other random coins for control purposes. I think it's fair to say I've learned it's quite difficult to measure coin dimensions and particularly with thickness I'd get different readings in different places, so maybe a small pinch of salt with those. I think the weights are good, the scales seemed very consistent and I kept checking the calibration throughout. I've highlighted the standout variances. 

Secondly some pictures as promised. A few duplicate shots in order to capture different lighting as requested, hope I did it right and these are a bit more useful!
1903 
(kind of looks like someone cleaned this with a brillo pad - it wasn't me!)

 
 
1915

 
Very interested in thoughts on authenticity of coins, potential meaning of measurement variances, and recommendations on what you would do with these coins. 
p.s. Before someone says it, yes the time spent on this now exceeds the value at stake but it's interesting -  ESSAY OVER!! 😊

Not sure i understand the marketing strategy here.  Big up a fine design, noting history and popularity (?), then only make available as very exclusive large denominations (and token high premium silver).   

Not sure i understand the marketing strategy here.  Big up a fine design, noting history and popularity (?), then only make available as very exclusive large denominations (and token high premium silver).   

Found some free hosting: http://goldprice.eu5.net/
Apologies for how bad it looks, design was never my strength (anyone want to take a go at tidying up the css...?  )
Not fully automated, updating (yet) - I'm just manually overwriting the html file during testing.
Let me know what you think, hope you enjoy some FREE price comparisons.

Been playing around with a bit of scripting and have the following output working locally:

Next step is to figure out how to run on a webserver and update a webpage... (all for free!)
Watch this space

Seems this occuring over the weekend when banks are closed is working in favour, can transfer/spend before they are suspended from the card payment system.  However, i expect there may be problems with delivery as companies may not be paid.  Its going to be messy and impact other similar payment services. 

I'd advise either buy beans and Kalashnikov's, or forget the fear and get on with life. 

I expect the authors of the table are misunderstanding/misinterpreting source data, dont know if deliberately or not.  The point you raise about growth of GDP while existing nations collapse is very valid.  The problem is not so much that the fall of western GDP is too large, the gain of currently smaller economies upto 3x isnt credible in such a time frame.  The western population collapse isnt matched with growth elsewhere either, unless we all leave for India and they have no indigenous growth, or half the western world population die without any impact on rest or the world.  Except Netherlands, they seem to come out unaffected.  Its nonsense really. 

If you do add other coins (and you should), make them separate pages to keep that minimal, clean page.

If you do add other coins (and you should), make them separate pages to keep that minimal, clean page.

I dont mind mistakes, but not the "glitch in the system" pony.  It was priced around same as Britannia's and other 1oz, they realised they they could get more when dozens of orders came in. 

Is there value to splitting the conversation?  This one maybe become quite quiet as $ is the primary pricing, while £:AU is a proxy for currency movement. 

Is there value to splitting the conversation?  This one maybe become quite quiet as $ is the primary pricing, while £:AU is a proxy for currency movement. 

Is there value to splitting the conversation?  This one maybe become quite quiet as $ is the primary pricing, while £:AU is a proxy for currency movement. 

With the advent of the 1887 Jubilee Head sovereign, the Royal Mint in London took the decision to use a more ‘yellow’ gold in order to make the intricate design stand out.  I have not seen this mentioned by Marsh but Hattons of London’s website describes the situation as follows:
          “With the introduction of a new [Jubilee] portrait the Royal Mint was uncertain how the gold coinage would look, especially as the new portrait had a much finer level of detail.
          To ensure a high standard of production they decided to soften the gold by adding 1.25% silver to the alloy which was usually 91.7% gold and the remainder copper (for
          strength). By replacing 1.25% of the copper with silver, the natural golden colour was enhanced and the coins of 1887 looked more ‘yellow’. 
          This was only ever carried out in one year – 1887. Tests with the usual alloy proved acceptable, so in the following year the silver was not added to the alloy, making the 1887
           coins a one-year-only alloy.”
But did this apply to the Branches in Australia?  Below is a comparison of the London 1887 sovereign with the Melbourne one.  It seems that it was only the Royal Mint in London that used the ‘yellow’ gold in 1887? 

Where's the market for such things, assume its not ebay.
Problem with platinum is the massive premium before you even get to the VAT.  Looking at 40-50%.  That said if i wanted platinum the Noble is a fine looking coin.

@HawkHybrid going try justify my explanation why I don't consider 2015 bounce as the major low for the bull market retracement
The 2015 low did not hit the Fibonacci retracement level of 78.6 or touch previous resistance zone should now act as support.
Three failed attempts after the 2015 low prices break above 1370. The power of three significant in Japanese candlestick patterns and a break in the trend line.

Spot price of gold may go higher back to the 1370 level but ultimately I see gold spot price heading below 2015 low to find major support and trigger liquidation positions from those with weaker hands. Gold spot prices move below $1,000 level very physiological and would also have an impact to those holding gold (paper and physical) to accept losses and exit their positions as well.

Another delay, and no real information why.  The take up is lacklustre, don't see how they will change that in another 6 months.  Too much focus on KVT and promise of riches, than the actual gold backed tokens in my view.  

Another delay, and no real information why.  The take up is lacklustre, don't see how they will change that in another 6 months.  Too much focus on KVT and promise of riches, than the actual gold backed tokens in my view.