mr1030

Jubilee Head Coinage (1887-1892/93  Failure to please?
'Grandma' Victoria was 68 years old when the Jubilee image finally replaced the 'Young-head' of an 18year old girl.  Joseph Edgar Boehm, an Austrian engraver, was given the task. Queen Victoria's favourite small diamond crown sat on top of her widows cap with veil attached. It was lightweight and only 4 inches in diameter, and far more practical than the heavier regnal crown. However, bombarded by criticism that the small crown looked a bit silly, she seemed to change her mind, and the Obverse  was duly replaced in 1893 by Thomas Brocks 'Old Head'. So the Jubilee coinage only lasted a very short time (6/7yrs). Again a veil was incorporated into the 'Old Head' and thus mourning carried on for 40 years!
Although Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were both born in 1819 she was 3 months older, making Albert her 'Toy boy' !  He died in 1861, age 42, but not before he had enhanced his reputation as being the 'Stud of Osborne House' getting Vicky 'preggers' 9 times! Back to the 'Jubilee head' - The small diamond crown now resides on show with the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.....
 
 
 

I genuinely have no rhyme or reasoning as to my close to hand little pile 🤔 

Not sure where to show this topic/ photos. It maybe of interest to a guinea collector. Anyway its gold! 
Just been to the Bank of England Museum to try and steal a 400oz gold bar, but failed miserably. I am hoping to find scrapings under my fingernails though!
A new exhibition has just opened regarding the link between the Bank of England and Slavery. It all seemed a bit politically distasteful to me. Apparently, 2 governors of the time have had their busts and paintings removed (probably thrown them in the Thames like the Bristol statues!)  An enquiry is ongoing to find out any tangible links with slavery money..... Mention is also made about the  BLM campaign.
One item of interest was guinea gold - see photo.
I left soon after, in case the thought police were monitoring me.......!

Great coin! I'd be surprised if anyone else on TSF has one. Well done.
Thought my pics might complement yours. 🤑

In 2017 the South African Mint celebrated the 50th anniversary of the popular gold Krugerrand.  On this occasion they released their first ever silver Krugerrands (all privy marked and only in proof and premium uncirculated versions), and also a one-time only release of a proof platinum Krugerrand.  With a mintage of only 2,017 I am very lucky to own one of these beauties.

Thank you.
 I think the lighting I used to take the photo flatters the 1817 Sovereign somewhat- but it is just lighting, the photographs weren’t filtered or photoshopped- the photos below are perhaps more representative.  
It was designated MS62 by NGC- lovely eye appeal 👍.  I Have recently had the Sovereign re- slabbed as the old slab was scuffed. 

 
 

Ten of my favourites from my collection 👍 
 

A few bits from down under 

For a few years now Platinum has been overtaken in value by gold, but obviously that has not been reflected on what is shown on the coinage! So here is a photo of Platinum, Gold and Silver (with nominal values) against the corresponding banknotes.
 

1989 - Gold Sovereign Proof Set and 2 x £2 Silver Piedfort Proofs + £1 Silver Piedfort Proof. Measured the thickness of the Piedforts = 6mm!  There's a debate on 'gold' section, somewhere, about whether the RM  should increase the diameter or the thickness of a Piedfort. I like these.
 
 
 
 

Recently decided to buy some jewellery. A 999 platinum shield,with an 18” platinum chain and a 9ct gold bracelet.
will probably trade for coins eventually. 

Normally I show photos of gold, but today as a former bank-note collector I thought this might be interesting to show the first coloured helmeted  'Britannia' £5 note printed in 1957 the same year as the Gillick Sovereign. This has to be the best designed British banknote ever IMO. There is also a depiction of St George & Dragon, as well as a superb rendition of the reverse Lion/key and chain. Note that QE11 does not appear on this note. QE11 first appeared on the £1 banknote in 1960 and has been seen on all our notes for the last 62 years! and of course for 69 years on our coins. At the time this was the highest denomination banknote in circulation, and for some in 1957 this was a weeks wages! The £10 followed in 1964, the £20 in 1970, and the first £50 in 1981. The 3 Scottish Banks all print £100 notes. Anyone heard the death-knell of Coinage and Banknotes yet?😠
 

A good friends birthday is coming up so I bought him his first gold coin. It’s small but it’s a start. He’s mentioned getting gram size gold before. 

Multi-Millionaire. Just don't ask what currency

The lovely piece popped up through the koin club. A nice high relief 1kg piece of art. Outside what I’d be prepared to pay, still nice all the same.  

1582 6 pence. It's very worn out and lost a bit of it's weight in last 440 years. Still like it despite being worthy not much. I found it couple years ago.

Today its a 'Metalor' 100g (3.2 ozs) cast gold bar, a piece of gold bearing ore, and the approx. equivalent weight in coinage - 3, 1oz Brits. and a 1/4 oz QB.
In the 'Gold' section there's a thread on 50 gram bars, minted or cast? Well, that's a matter of preference. I prefer 'cast' but also like the minted 'Britannia' bar. However, if you really want to appreciate gold for what it is in its 'raw' state, this is a no-brainer! How can a small 100 g bar (45mm x 25mm x 5mm) feel so good to touch and fondle? Just feel the weight and its 'WOW'! The alternative is to have a minted bar behind plastic and never touch it at all. I do understand about preserving condition/grading etc, but not for me (apart from my Proofs)
This piece of ore comes from the deepest gold mine in South Africa 'The Western Deep Levels' at 3.7km or 2.3 miles. where the purity is about 7.6grams per tonne. That means extracting about 4 tonnes for every 1oz coin. To make this 100g bar would mean an extraction of 12.8 tonnes. So next time you look at one of your coins.......     😀

'Four Eagles' = Four  Metals! + One oz Silver .45ACP. with my name on it! 
Thank-you @daca2007 it is. The silver and gold are both 1995.
 
 

Bit of a different looking sovereign rocker from John Greaves & Son - apparently made of some sort of nickel alloy. 🤔
cc. @HighlandTiger
 
 

Well...not today but last few days anyway.
In 2021 RAM started the limited mintage Australian "Coat of Arms" series in Au and Ag.
I picked the 2021 Ag coins (Australia issue) and 2022 Au coin (start of the states and territories with NSW as next issue)....Going to be a yearly series so a few more years before this set gets completed.
(Apologies for the poor images)


 
 
 
 

Today I bought the first 10oz bars I have bought in years.  The rounds finished up what was left of my budget for that pay period.  

Pic 2 of 2
 

Today I bought..... some 2022 pandas in AU and AG

next on the list PL panda 😍

Scottsdale "Stacker"

All together...