Serendipity

I collect gold for both investment and numismatic reasons. I love to regale forum members with the history of the royal characters on my sovereigns. The coins wouldn’t be as interesting if they were just blank gold discs. My first introduction to gold first came through the constant James Bond Goldfinger repeats on TV which gave me the impression that you must be some kind of villainous zillionaire to own any kind of gold. The glamour of gold caught my attention all the same and I ordered a sovereign from the Royal Mint as well as a limited edition Lord of the Rings gold ring with Elvish inscription. Unfortunately, I sold off both items to some unscrupulous pawnbrokers at a big loss. However, those first gold purchases were enough to whet my appetite for more of the yellow metal.

1911 George V Sydney Mint sovereign bought from Sovereign Rarities. George V of Great Britain initially sought a career in the British Navy, but the premature death of his brother, Albert, placed him on the throne in 1910. However, it was not until 1911 that George’s portrait replaced that of Edward’s on coins. He played an active role supporting the troops during World War I. George’s last reputed words were: “Bugger Bognor!” (When told by his doctor he would soon be well enough to visit Bognor Regis.)

DESCRIPTION 

George V (1910-36), gold sovereign, 1911 S, Sydney Mint, Australia, bare head left, B.M. raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (“George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”), rev. struck en médaille, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet with three-strand streamer, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, mint mark S at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled, weight 8.00g (Bentley 727; McDonald 237; Marsh 271; M.C.E. 639; S.4003). Toned with light bag marks, otherwise good extremely fine. Ex Randy Weir Numismatics, Unionville, Ontario, Canada, purchased 14 January 1992. Calendar year mintage 2,519,000.

I really like this very informative YouTube which explains in some detail the French symbols on my 1911 20 Francs Marianne Rooster restrike.

A really fascinating thread. I own a 1911 20 Francs Marianne Rooster restrike which I’ve adopted as my “lucky coin”. I love the exceptionally beautiful laureate bust of Marianne on the obverse of the coin. However, I’ve stopped short of stacking the franc because of the low .900 gold purity but still regard them as highly collectible coins.

1873 Victoria Melbourne Mint St. George Reverse sovereign bought from Sovereign Rarities. Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, crowned as Queen Victoria in 1837 when her uncle, William IV, died and reigned through a period of unprecedented change until her death in 1901. Victoria ruled for 64 years, a record only recently surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II.

DESCRIPTION

Victoria (1837-1901), gold sovereign, 1873 M, Melbourne Mint, Australia, first young filleted head left, W.W. raised and buried in truncation for engraver William Wyon, mint mark M below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D:G:BRITANNIAR:REG:F:D: (“Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith”), rev. struck with inverted die axis, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled, weight 8.00g (Bentley 760; Marsh 95; M.C.E. 536; S.3857). Lightly toned, with proof-like underlying brilliance, lightly bag-marked, otherwise pleasing good extremely fine. Ex Randy Weir Numismatics, Unionville, Ontario, Canada, purchased 12 November 1990. Calendar year mintage 752,000 presumably all St. George reverse of which 199 went for pyx trial.

1871 Victoria Shield Reverse sovereign bought from Baldwin’s. Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, crowned as Queen Victoria in 1837 when her uncle, William IV, died and reigned through a period of unprecedented change until her death in 1901. Victoria ruled for 64 years, a record only recently surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II. RMS Douro was a British passenger liner that served from 1865 to 1882 with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. She was sunk in a collision in 1882.

DESCRIPTION

Victoria (1837-1901), gold sovereign, 1871, London, Tower Hill Mint, third young filleted head left, W.W. raised on truncation for engraver William Wyon, date below, hint of doubling in legend both sides, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA (“Victoria, by the Grace of God”), rev. struck with inverted die axis, engraved by Jean Baptiste Merlen, crowned quartered shield of arms, laurel wreath surrounding, die number 14 below, emblems below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID:DEF: (“Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith”), raised hairline flaw in last A of legend to rim, edge milled, weight 7.97g (Bentley 558; Marsh 55; M.C.E. 531; S.3853B). Tiny obverse rim nick, otherwise pleasing good extremely fine. Ex Douro Cargo, Spink Auction 118, 20-21 November 1996, lot 1377 (part). Calendar year mintage 8,767,250.

1914 and 1918 George V sovereigns bought from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer and the Royal Mint. Sovereigns issued during the First World War are significant to collectors and none more so than the 1914 and 1918 issues which are frequently paired together in collections to mark the beginning and end of the Great War. T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, was a British scholar, writer and soldier who mobilised the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War and wrote about his wartime exploits in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926). Gold sovereigns were used by Lawrence to sway Arab tribes to join the Allied fight and as a bounty for Arabs who returned any downed Allied airmen to safety.

DESCRIPTIONS

George V (1910-36), gold sovereign, 1914, London Mint, bare head left, B.M. raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (“George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”), rev. struck en médaille, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet with three-strand streamer, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled (Marsh 216; M.C.E. 642; S.3996). Extremely fine. Calendar year mintage 11,501,117.

George V (1910-36), gold sovereign, 1914 M, Melbourne Mint, Australia, bare head left, B.M. raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (“George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”), rev. struck en médaille, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet with three-strand streamer, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, mint mark M at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled (Marsh 232; M.C.E. 642; S.3999). Almost extremely fine. Calendar year mintage 2,012,029.

George V (1910-36), gold sovereign, 1918 I, Bombay Mint, India, bare head left, B.M. raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (“George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”), rev. struck en médaille, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet with three-strand streamer, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, mint mark I at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled (Marsh 228; S.3998). Obverse good very fine,  reverse almost extremely fine. Calendar year mintage 1,294,372.

Bought from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer. 2018 1oz Australian Silver Koala (BU). Obverse: The Ian Rank-Broadley likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination. Reverse: Portrays a koala designed by Neil Hollis sitting on the branch of a eucalyptus tree surrounded by gum leaves. The inscription "Australian Koala", the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark, the 2018 year-date, and the .9999 purity are also featured in the design. 

When early European settlers first encountered koalas in Australia, they thought the tree-climbing animals were monkeys or bears. Even though they're still referred to by some as "koala bears", they're actually marsupials like kangaroos and wombats. Koalas have special physical characteristics that complement their tree-dwelling lifestyle.

Koalas are able to grip branches and pick eucalyptus leaves with their two opposable digits, and their tough skin and sharp claws provide traction in climbing. They even have extra thick fur on their seat so they can sit comfortably on branches for hours! Unique to Australia, these animals are a perfect theme for an iconic coin series.

Bought from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer. 2018 1oz Australian Silver Kookaburra (BU). Obverse: The Ian Rank-Broadley likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination. Reverse: Portrays a flying kookaburra designed by Neil Hollis against the backdrop of a full moon. The inscription "Australian Kookaburra", the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark and the 2018 year-date are also included in the design.

The 2018 silver Kookaburra not only features a gorgeous design, they are also produced in a limited mintage of 500,000 coins. The laughing kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher species, and a bird synonymous with the Australian bush. This bird species is indigenous to Australia and is known for their call, which is said to sound like echoing human laughter.

1911 20 French Francs - Marianne Rooster bought from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer.

Bought from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer which had a Star Trek exhibition on from the 30th June - 6th November 2016. The Perth Mint - on behalf of Tuvalu - issued a silver bullion coin with a limited mintage of 50,000 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series. The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley bust of Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination. Jennifer McKenna designed the reverse which depicts the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 as it appeared in Star Trek. The design includes the inscription "STAR TREK" and The Perth Mint’s traditional "P" mint mark.

1908 Edward VII Melbourne Mint sovereign bought from Sovereign Rarities. Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910, an immensely popular and affable monarch and a leader of society.

DESCRIPTION

Edward VII (1901-10), gold sovereign, 1908 M, Melbourne Mint, Australia, bare head right, tiny DeS. raised below truncation for engraver George William de Saulles, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, EDWARDVS VII D:G:BRITT:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP: (“Edward VII, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”), rev. struck en médaille, St. George on horseback slaying dragon with sword right, plumed helmet with three-strand streamer, horse with long tail, ending in three strands, with one spur higher up at curve, broken lance on ground-line to left, tiny WWP raised under lance for Master of the Mint, William Wellesley Pole, mint mark M at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, tiny B.P. raised in upper right of exergue for engraver Benedetto Pistrucci, edge milled, weight 8.00g (Bentley 820; McDonald 229; Marsh 192; M.C.E. 627; S.3971). Some light bag marks, hairline scratch in obverse field, otherwise extremely fine, better than usually seen. Ex Randy Weir Numismatics, Unionville, Ontario, Canada, purchased c.1998. Calendar year mintage 3,078,500 of which 1,648 went for pyx trial.

The best advice that I can give you if no help is forthcoming is to email photos of your coin to Baldwin’s who specialise in rare and numismatic coins. They are extremely helpful. I can assure you they will email you back. They don’t charge for the service. I have first-hand experience of Baldwin’s because I bought a rare Douro shipwreck sovereign from them: https://www.baldwin.co.uk/valuations/

@AndrewSL76, I’ve got this visual search engine app for coins which I sometimes use when I come across unfamiliar coins but can’t seem to get any fix on your coin.

@AndrewSL76, I don’t know if this is the same type of coin but another forum was talking about a similar coin back in 2016: http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/11089-royal-mint-2015-12-sided-one-pound-trial-piece/

On 02/04/2020 at 01:57, ChrisSilver said:

Yes, but if you compare it to Gold basically getting nearly 2x the amount of coins for the same price with huge upside potential. 

One of the major impacts that the pandemic has had on me as a stacker/collector is that I’ve switched from bullion to more accessible numismatic coins. I’m also thinking of platinum. Neither numismatic nor platinum coins were on my radar three months ago. However, they were always part of my emergency backup plan, my plan B, in the event of some major unforeseen event disrupting the gold and silver markets. 

Bought from the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint). 2019 Mona Lisa €20 Silver Coin.

I bought this beautiful Marianne Rooster restrike from @ChardsCoinandBullionDealer to serve as my “lucky coin” during the coronavirus pandemic. The Marianne bust on the obverse was designed by Jules-Clément Chaplain, a French sculptor, who was one of France’s finest medalists. With Louis-Oscar Roty he helped found the Art Nouveau movement. 

I’m familiar with ordering from the US because I purchase a lot of air-tite capsules and tubes from OnFireGuy. I recently ordered an inexpensive air-tite capsule which seemed to take a lifetime to arrive which is understandable because of pandemic precautions. I purposely buy my items singly rather than in batches so that they come below the customs limit. Unfortunately, there’s no magical way you can somehow dodge customs once the item goes over the customs limit which, of course, is most of the time. You always end up paying more than what you originally intended and the item won’t be released from customs until you pay all the exorbitant charges.

The ancient Egyptian sun god Ra is said to have stated:“My flesh is made of gold, my bones made of silver, and my hair made of real lapis lazuli.”

The term “divine gold” was in no way blasphemous in ancient Egyptian faith; rather, it reflected people’s steadfast belief that the flesh of the gods was made of the precious metal. Seen as a carrier of divine and royal power, as a symbol of stability and brilliance, as indestructible and imperishable, gold became the symbol of survival, eternity and immortality. In ancient Egypt, gold was associated with the brilliance of the sun and believed to be the substance from which the skin of the gods was made; it was also believed to be the material into which the pharaohs, as sons of the sun god, would eventually transform, thus overcoming their mortality. Ancient Egyptian gold was seen as a a symbol of immortality, as a sacred metal with magical powers that would protect its holders from harm. It was therefore something that kings, king's wives, princes and princesses, and later officials and subjects, would carry with them both in this world and in the hereafter, using it as a means not only of adornment but also of securing their power and rule in the afterlife. 

These slabbed silver and gold coins which tarnish and develop red spots go a long way to explain why I don’t slab my coins or buy slabbed coins. In fairness to the organisations such as PGCS and NGC who slab and grade coins these faults develop after they’ve been slabbed. A coin sealed in a slab or plastic like gold Pandas is no guarantee they won’t develop these problems. These faults are not “corrosion” as we normally understand the term but are actually reversible and treatable. All my gold and silver coins are in removable air-tites and their original capsules. I use the old-fashioned but effective bicarb aluminium method to remove red spots and tarnish from my coins despite my reservations about coin cleaning.