Spink : Coins of England 2020, prices wrong?

[Booky586]

I've been using a 2008 copy of "Spink : Coins of England and the UK" for some time now, I find it's a handy reference for anything not in "Marsh : The Gold Sovereign". Anyway, I thought it was time to replace the 2008 with the latest and greatest 2020 edition, and spent £25 in the process.

There's a problem with the 2020 edition though, the prices just look wrong.

For example, an 1863 sovereign, VF condition, valued at £275. In fine condition it's just BV (BV = bullion value only. At the time of going to press the spot price for gold was £1200/oz), which I calculate to about £295, £282. And I thought "Fine" was a lower grade than "Very Fine"!

Have I got my maths wrong?

Anyone out there willing to sell me a 1863 sovereign, VF condition, for £275?

Or have I just wasted £25?

[JunkBond]

Spot value of a sov is currently £278.94

[5huggy]

ITS A "guide"!!

[HawkHybrid]

it went to press sometime last year when spot was

lower? the prices have been rounded down to the

nearest £25 for coins valued close to spot?

 

HH

[Booky586]

40 minutes ago, 5huggy said:

ITS A "guide"!!

Yes, I'm more tempted to say it's a VERY LOOSE "guide"!!

[Martlet]

It notes a bullion value of £1200, which would mean £282 spot for a sovereign.  So that looks right off for shields.  

However, perhaps its auction price?  Which accounting for buyers fee would put prices up in £340-350 area.

[Booky586]

28 minutes ago, Martlet said:

It notes a bullion value of £1200, which would mean £282 spot for a sovereign.  So that looks right off for shields.  

However, perhaps its auction price?  Which accounting for buyers fee would put prices up in £340-350 area.

Thanks for the corrected spot price at £282.

I think I should have spent the £25 book price on a silver Britannia instead 🙂

[jultorsk]

Hm. Exact same prices for those sovs in the 2019 edition - but the BV disclaimer is "BV=Bullion value only (if gold price over £900 an ounce).

Oh - 1866/5 DIE 17 only value in Fine is £325 in the 2019.

[Booky586]

2 hours ago, jultorsk said:

Hm. Exact same prices for those sovs in the 2019 edition - but the BV disclaimer is "BV=Bullion value only (if gold price over £900 an ounce).

Oh - 1866/5 DIE 17 only value in Fine is £325 in the 2019.

So we are getting down to it. Would it be fair to assume they've cut and paste last year's values and made the minimum of changes, with some obvious errors?

Shoddy work and the last time I buy this guide.