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.

For me it was about saving outside the banking system and having access to liquid highly portable assets at short notice.
Life is full of ups and downs. When you are down financially. Having access to some metal, Gold or Silver quickly and with out anyone knowing can often save the day.
Once the stack started growing and life turned around for the better over the years it just became a habit to keep buying the shiny stuff when ever I could afford it. I have always worked on the principle that if you don't hold it you don't own it, and what they don't know you have they can't take  away from you. Gold fits that need perfectly.
regards
DB

I just watch Grumpy Dave the Golden Turtle spend my funds on the Shiny Golden Coins, he always seems to choose well. Bought a 1925 Gold Sovereign twenty years ago, added a few Gold Coins to my collection in the following years. in 2017 Peter Rabbit Colour 50p coins were Released I was back Hook Line and Sinker, quickly got back into collecting Silver and I became a Flipper of Silver. My Profits purchased Gold ! Have not looked back since, I have realised you can sell Silver and Commemorative coins at 50% mark up, so I keep Buying and Flipping, all profit's  go to Purchasing Gold ! Started my You Tube Channel with my Sidekick Grumpy Dave The Golden Turtle, Will continue until I loose interest or the Grim Reaper comes a Knocking.
I am having a Blast at the Moment, Love The SilverForum and YT Coinster's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    I Love Coins ................................................... Me !!!!!!!

Personally I don’t know anyone else who collects gold so I’m interested to learn how other people got started, their motivations and what it means to them. What’s your story?

I'll start with my own.


 
My initial fascination with gold started when I was a kid. Like many households we always had an Argos or Index catalogue lying around that I would flick through when I was bored. As you would expect I spent a lot of time looking at all the toys but it was the jewellery section that really caught my eye. I liked all the birthstones and gems but my favourite pages were near the end of the jewellery section, it was all the gold chains. I used to sit and stare at the weights, purity and price of them for a reason I can’t fathom even to this day. The first piece of gold ever bought for me was by my mother when I got my ear pierced. I got a 9ct gold stud and hoop. A few years later after a fair amount of begging at shop windows she bought me a half sovereign ring and my brother a full sovereign. They were either lost or sold I guess and my gold story goes cold for a decade.

The financial crisis and great recession was my induction into the world of economics. I remember watching the TV as the queues formed outside Northern Rock and then like dominos the banks started to collapse. The government started QE and the bailouts commenced. What caused it? Where did this money come from? Who was going to pay it back? Pandora’s Box was open and my studies began. All the cash for gold shops appeared on the high street as the price took off - gold was more than just jewellery - gold shone bright once again. I seriously considered buying my first gold during this period but never followed through although my faith in the financial system was gone never to return. In the following years new terms and trends emerged. Help to buy, 0% finance, balance transfer credit cards, PCP car loans, early pension drawdowns and negative interest rates. I reasoned this was totally unsustainable, can only end in pain and it was time to prepare. I cleared all my debts then began living well within my means and saving in earnest. I knew what I had to do.

I bought my first gold from the Royal Mint. Three and a half ounces of pure gold were delivered by post the next day. When I opened the parcel and held the coins in my hands I was taken aback by the density, the purity, the colour. It was outside the financial system, untaxable, free from manipulation. It was perfect. It was that day I became a goldbug.

I’ve accumulated more incrementally and now it amounts to around half of my total assets. I’ve learned more about golds history as money and its universal appeal across ages and continents. I still don’t fully understand our love of gold which seems irrational but so is much of what we do. Gold is many things to many people but I view gold as the perfect way to store time. Immutable from government policy and excess in perfect parallel to its physical properties. I don’t care too much about price fluctuations because in the long run I’m as certain as I can be that gold will serve that purpose. During times like these it brings me comfort to know that I own gold and I’m sure I always will.

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.

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.

2016 1oz and 2018 1/4oz Gold Somalian Elephants bought from @BleyerBullion and Atkinsons. Minted by the Bavarian State Mint, the Somalian Coat of Arms, dates and 1000 and 200 shillings face values adorn the obverses respectively. The reverses feature African bush elephants stomping through savannas and raising their trunks. The African bush elephant, aka the African savanna elephant, is the largest living terrestrial animal with bulls reaching a shoulder height of up to 3.96 m.

2016 1oz and 2018 1/4oz Gold Somalian Elephants bought from @BleyerBullion and Atkinsons. Minted by the Bavarian State Mint, the Somalian Coat of Arms, dates and 1000 and 200 shillings face values adorn the obverses respectively. The reverses feature African bush elephants stomping through savannas and raising their trunks. The African bush elephant, aka the African savanna elephant, is the largest living terrestrial animal with bulls reaching a shoulder height of up to 3.96 m.

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.

2016 1oz and 2018 1/4oz Gold Somalian Elephants bought from @BleyerBullion and Atkinsons. Minted by the Bavarian State Mint, the Somalian Coat of Arms, dates and 1000 and 200 shillings face values adorn the obverses respectively. The reverses feature African bush elephants stomping through savannas and raising their trunks. The African bush elephant, aka the African savanna elephant, is the largest living terrestrial animal with bulls reaching a shoulder height of up to 3.96 m.

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.

 
 

I would like to be buried with my entire collection

The 20 francs rooster is a good looking coin. I have a 20f angel as my ‘lucky coin’.  I even want to be buried with it when the inevitable happens 😂.   It was my first 20 franc and that coin ain’t going nowhere haha. 

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.

 
 

Full Sovereigns Only - Chards Coin Pusher - The Ultimate Arcade Game
No tilting!
We might try programming its sound output to play "Goldflinger".

Well, going from fluent English to fluent French gave me a little tingle. Oh la la.
 

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.

 
 

My proof sovereign collection 1979 to 2018

Sovereign part of my stack

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.

 
 

Lighting a bit bad but here’s all of them.  The nepolian Bonaparte premiar council AN 12 is my fav as it’s old and it’s kinda cool thinking it’s from an iconic time.  The helvitica is also nice as is the Albert 20 franc.
Posted a pic of the Porte Louis tubes which I’ve only just found out about.  They’re 18th century Tubes the French used to store they’re 20francs. They’re really cheap but also very cool. 

I’m collecting the 20 francs/ Latin monetary union coins.  I have 7 with another 5 on the way.  They’re great to collect.  There are so many different varieties and some beautiful coins.
Most are around bullion value.  There are a few that are a bit more expensive as the mintages are lower. The most expensive I’ve come across so far is the finish 20 markkaa which is around £400.  I’m yet to acquire this coin but I will one day!!  I’ve had quite a few from coininvest over the last few yrs at reasonable prices. Baird have a few too.
Some of the coins have some great history behind them expecially the angel and the early nepolian bonaparte francs.  Out of all my stack, the 20 francs are my favourite.  

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.

Where we are currently: 
1 with 3 in are fulls,
1 with 6 in are half shields
1 full case is all halves

Photos and descriptions only please. 
Any questions or chat can go in the discussion thread.
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