Gold sovereign with blemish

[Diocletian]

It looks like a fleck of copper that has not mixed with the gold-copper alloy. Is it common, and would it affect the value?

[dicker]

Do you have a photo?

Best

Dicker

[Diocletian]

Here it is. It's the small mark next to the horse's leg at the right hand side of the photo.

[Elements]

Looks normal to me. I have some like that although usually older ones like this 1979

[Diocletian]

Your blemishes are probably similar, although mine looks more solid in shape, and slightly brown in colour, rather than grey.

[dicker]

Or possibly something dropped onto the coin?

[Diocletian]

I don't think so. It looks like it is in the body of the coin.

[silvernewbie]

I bought a bu sov with some ink!  Any way to clean it off?

[dicker]

I won’t give any advice as I am not an expert and I don’t think coins should be cleaned.  But....there are topics in the forum that cover this

Best

Dicker

[Prophecy]

8 hours ago, silvernewbie said:

I bought a bu sov with some ink!  Any way to clean it off?

Did you buy that from a reputable dealer?

[Booky586]

On 29/05/2020 at 10:00, Diocletian said:

It looks like a fleck of copper that has not mixed with the gold-copper alloy. Is it common, and would it affect the value?

I guess it's not uncommon flaw, as Elements has one and I have too.

As it's a standard modern billion coin then I think you'll get the same price as an unmarked one if you sold to a reputable billion dealer.

[silvernewbie]

20 hours ago, Prophecy said:

Did you buy that from a reputable dealer?

yep, they sold it as a low grade sov for spot price so can't really complain!

[Prophecy]

10 hours ago, silvernewbie said:

yep, they sold it as a low grade sov for spot price so can't really complain!

Well, low grade is bad enough for a little acetone dip if you ask me. Dip it dip it dip it dip it

[GoldElliott]

bullion sovereign IMO has no numismatic value, its just a chunk of gold. I would clean it personally if it was bothering me. cleaned or uncleaned its still going to be worth spot +3-5%

[Prophecy]

15 hours ago, GoldElliott said:

bullion sovereign IMO has no numismatic value, its just a chunk of gold. I would clean it personally if it was bothering me. cleaned or uncleaned its still going to be worth spot +3-5%

There's a difference between bullion and scrap to the majority of buyers.

[Diocletian]

On 01/06/2020 at 02:10, Prophecy said:

There's a difference between bullion and scrap to the majority of buyers.

Would a dirty (or cleaned) sovereign be considered scrap gold?

[dicker]

I rather think it depends on what sort of Sovereign it is and what the condition. 

Dirty is complex.  I do not want my coins cleaned and accept that Sovs that are over 100 years old may will have some grime from use / age.

If a coin is genuinely rare but cleaned it will still command a premuim over spot - which will vary depending on the rarity of the coin.

It is a big subject and really does just depend on the coin, mintage, actual availability etc.

Best

Dicker