Britannia47

Here’s the real thing for comparison….!

Don’t see the point of stacking Silver……😁!

………or on a card 100 years later!

You are correct. The RM has always specified proof 999 Brits as 7.80g, but a 1/4ozt in grams is 7.77g although rarely specified. 1oz-Troy is 31.1035g divided by 4 = 7.77g = 1/4oz!…. The premium on a 1/4oz (including QBs, TBs etc is bound to be more because of the greater gold content. With Bullion Sovereigns a dealers premium is based on the lower amount of actual gold, which is .2354 Troy oz or 7.32g. As you can see on the 1987 proof Britannia being 22ct. the overall weight is heavier at 8.513 to account for the copper alloy. It can be confusing when dealing with weights of 22ct and 999 gold in both grams and Troy ounces 🙁 You’re probably right to stick to Sovereigns, Good-luck.

There are interesting specification differences between the Sovereign and the 1/4 oz coins. I’m sure you were quoting the Sovereign diameter of 22.05 by the way! A 1/4 oz Britannia (999) weighs less than a sovereign but contains more gold - 7.77g, whilst the Sovereign being 22ct only has about 7.31! Fractional gold, whether it’s 999 gold or 22ct nearly always contain slightly more to ensure it meets its minimum weight. Thus 7.80g is quite normal for a 1/4oz….. I now prefer the 999 1/4oz to Modern Sovereigns because of the colour! 😊 @MassiveGoldenDongle

Hi, You may get a better response in the ‘Non Precious Metals’ section! Having said that, the bun-head Young Victoria is one of my favourite obverses Leonard Charles Wyon’s portraits, were better than his Father’s IMO…. Photo shows the classical Young head portrait by William Wyon, next to his eldest son Leonard’s ‘Australia’ Sovereign. For comparison the ‘bunhead’ farthing is also shown, by L.C. Good- luck with your date run.🙂

No, couldn’t find one (1) either, or for that matter any earwax!….Whoops, think that’s on another thread!😁

On second thoughts it’s probably a trial piece, which has not been coined yet, with the Roman numeral date being a red herring. JC seems well connected with ‘Hattons of London’ and has clearly taken his RM reputation with him. Marketing companies will need a better commemorative connection than suggested, to sell to the General public! Some are ridiculous. At best this is very tenuous, but even the RM does that….Still a good design though.

Wow! I do like design. As dramatic as Wyon’s medallic version perhaps? Jody Clark does do commissions for other ‘Mints’/ Marketing companies, but why 1823 which was Pistrucci’s 1st G&D period with sword in hand. It’s a mystery!

Here’s my 1887 silver set, taken out of similar ‘Victoria Jubilee Specimen Set’ box, with the addition of an 1887 Sovereign. Those were the days as a numismatic collector (not any more!) gradually filling up the box - that was the enjoyment, especially when complete. 🙂 @EvilLandlord Photo is a size comparison - I’m sure you can identify them all, even the ‘Barmaids Ruin’?……

As above, top left caught my eye! Looks like it’s a made up set, not original box. Taken a screen shot with a bit of editing for others to view. As is, could be worth a few £££… Got many of these sets, but not the gold. Well done!

Too late now! Avatar incriminating photo has been changed to something rather boring, so newbies don’t know what you’re talking about…..😢 Does anybody have a copy of the original image with the flimsy skiing outfit?😁 - asking for a friend!

Smallest fractional sovereign for me is the 1/2. The 1/4 was introduced in 2009 to increase the RMs revenue - thus the 5 coin sets! For me it’s one to avoid simply because it was never in circulation. In 1853 Wyon produced the 5 shilling and 1/4 sovereign in pattern form Photo courtesy of Chards ,

I agree, but it’s too late now because ‘Hattons of London’ have SOLD OUT - Only £69! At 1g that works out at about £2140 oz. Not minted by the RM yet, but watch this space! Will let you know when back in stock😁😁

It was a very good question asked 6 months ago. I would say that time has arrived for many on TSF. 1g & 5g bars, 1/4 & 1/10oz gold, 1/4 sovereigns etc are definitely more popular, at the expense of 1oz gold and various proofs. My smallest is a 1/20th oz but that came with a Panda set! Don’t blame anyone for steering clear of the larger gold coins! Can only envy those who a can afford to buy 2oz/5oz gold proofs…….🤢 PS: I forgot 1/40th oz & 1/8th Sovereigns!

Looks like Pistrucci’s forte was definitely medallic, and not just the Waterloo! Superb detail in both these Coronation medals for G1V and Victoria….

Slight digression: That’s why I like my 1982 Sovereign set - start and end of hostilities in the Falklands War…..🙂

I’m surprised there’s no mention of it being on the Specification card. ( I ) = Bombay Mint. Easy to check though. Yes, leave it in the card. My 1918 is loose to show comparison with the carded 2018. Pity there’s no 100th anniversary privy mark on it!

@guywhostacks10122All good advice above, but it does depend on your financial situation. Few people can afford to buy 1oz anymore and are downsizing to 1/4oz or smaller, but of course were luckier enough to buy sovereigns and other gold when they were a lot cheaper and are now sitting on a good profit. If you are patient, and in it for the medium to long term, that could be you! Think about variety with your choices as well before you commit to one or the other. No one on TSF has a crystal ball or knows what the outside World will throw at us to spoil our dreams….

Just luv those Gillicks, especially the ‘57 pack leader…. Thought for a moment L.C. was making a personal come-back! I hope mine’s not a fake!

Oh yeah?! But I’m far too busy to go through them. It was a 50 coin job lot from BBP - don’t mind the odd fake!……😁

Interesting to have these strategies/preferences if you can afford them, and you obviously can, but I suspect most TSF members are less ambitious. I’ve often referred to ‘plastic coffins’ myself, only because I don’t do grading and prefer to keep proofs in their original capsules. My ‘core’ bullion is split between sovereigns and 1oz gold, but 1/4 size proofs I find more enjoyable to collect now. Over the years I’ve collected almost everything, like betting on every runner in a horse race perhaps, but not for money! As I’m already retired, my gold doesn’t figure in funding my lifestyle, just possessing it is my real attachment. I guess we are all different…..👍

Quite agree! We all end up here and eventually forgotten……☹️

Compare it with the first £1 - 1983 Piedfort. Unfortunately the round pounds were too easy to fake!……

The RM has been trying to diversify even before ‘Covid’ to compensate for the Worldwide downturn in circulating coinage. However, the RM will find much competition from all the other “Mints” such as The Tower Mint, amongst others, originally founded by Raphael Maklouf. It seems this mint took over from the Pobjoy Mint who lost its Isle of Man contract and is now out of business. ( I digress !) In turn every mint will have to rely on commemoratives or bullion perhaps… https://www.towermint.co.uk This company has interesting partners…….!