Sovereign Photo Thread...

[Charliemouse]

[Silverlocks]

16 hours ago, Charliemouse said:

That's luverly.

[Charliemouse]

2017 Quintuple Sovereign - BU

Raw coins outside of capsules are definitely easier to photograph.  I cheated slightly on this, as the coins is on a stand, inside its capsule but with the lid off.  I edited out the capsule and stand, once I had the image focus stacked.

The little cheap plastic stands that you can get 100s on Amazon for a few quid, can be modified quite simply, by removing the lugs at the front, so the feet don't obscure the coin.  Then the Photoshopping is quite easy.  Lighting was from a single LED monitor lamp attached to the top of the camera.  The inside walls and roof of the photo box are reflective, which gives enough of an ambient soft glow, and I just rotated the coin until I got the break point between the black and gold fields.  The ~20 degree angle gives a nice depth to the coin, with the edge visible, but without needing to do dozens of focus stacked images.

[jultorsk]

On 02/08/2023 at 04:20, Paul said:

Something you'll not see every day.  Upcoming lot in Heritage "Platinum Sale" August sale later this month.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-george-iii-gold-sovereign-1819-vf30-ngc-/a/3109-31195.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

The elusive 1819 sovereign

 

Rarest Business Strike of the Modern Sovereigns
George III gold Sovereign 1819 VF30 NGC, KM674, S-3785, Marsh-3 (R5). An extremely rare date, not only the rarest business strike of George III but arguably for the entire modern Sovereign series that starts from 1817. Currently, only two straight-graded examples exist in the NGC population (this coin is the better one), and none at PCGS. The last time the current offering was sold was in May 2015 when it was auctioned for $59,312+buyer's premium in the United Kingdom, then described as the 'second finest known' by the auctioneer. The piece exhibits balanced wear from honest circulation, yet the struck motifs are instantly recognizable and the King's facial features remain fully expressive. The crevices have faint siltiness, and the surfaces are in remarkably good condition for the grade, clearly non-porous and moreover saved from any singularly detracting instances of impact.

A quick glance at public auctions during the past eight years reveals two additional examples sold, one deemed 'Not Encapsulated - No Decision' offered in a Sincona auction in 2021 realizing about $24,000+premium, and one from the Spink Stratos sale in 2020, a 'Fine Details' that hammered $38,560+premium; both inspected by NGC and ex-jewelry pieces.

In addition, on the 200th anniversary of this remarkable rarity, the Royal Mint offered the aforementioned other NGC straight-graded example by public ballot. This was a F12 piece, thus clearly in lesser state of preservation compared to the present offering, and previously known to exist from a B.A. Seaby bulletin. The winner of the 2019 ballot purchased the coin for £100,000 - corresponding to approximately $127,000 back in the day.

The finest specimen hitherto witnessed by the public was sold from the Bentley collection in May 2013, when an uncertified 1819 Sovereign described as 'about extremely fine' sold for approximately $290,000. Judging from the outstanding research conducted for the Bentley Collection sale and additional investigative work by Spink, it can be presumed that 11 individual examples have been photographed and are presently extant, of which at least four, possibly five exhibit various signs of mounting to jewelry. Missing from most institutional coin collections in the UK and apparently even the world-renowned Tyrant Collection, this is an unmissable opportunity to acquire an outstanding and highly elusive numismatic rarity.

Ex. St. James's Auction 32 (May 2015, Lot 3)

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22.05mm
Weight: 7.9881g
AGW: 0.2355oz
Mintage: 3,574

More information about Great Britain Coins. See also: Great Britain.

Estimate: $50,000 - $60,000.

The Platinum sale is about to start and this 1819 is sitting at $82,500 ($99,000 incl Buyer's Premium).

There's also another 'Sovereign' currently bid at $662,500 and a gobsmacking Gothic Crown at $230,000.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-henry-vii-1485-1509-fine-gold-sovereign-of-20-shillings-nd-1492-au50-ngc-/a/3109-31158.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-victoria-proof-gothic-crown-1847-pr66-deep-cameo-pcgs-/a/3109-31209.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

British coins sure seem to be on good footing, and its entertaining to watch the live bidding even though such coins are only distant dreams to me 

[Paul]

8 hours ago, jultorsk said:

The Platinum sale is about to start and this 1819 is sitting at $82,500 ($99,000 incl Buyer's Premium).

There's also another 'Sovereign' currently bid at $662,500 and a gobsmacking Gothic Crown at $230,000.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-henry-vii-1485-1509-fine-gold-sovereign-of-20-shillings-nd-1492-au50-ngc-/a/3109-31158.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-victoria-proof-gothic-crown-1847-pr66-deep-cameo-pcgs-/a/3109-31209.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

British coins sure seem to be on good footing, and its entertaining to watch the live bidding even though such coins are only distant dreams to me 

Some GB coins went for crazy prices in that platinum sale yesterday now the results are in 

[Paul]

On 02/08/2023 at 10:20, Paul said:

Something you'll not see every day.  Upcoming lot in Heritage "Platinum Sale" August sale later this month.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-george-iii-gold-sovereign-1819-vf30-ngc-/a/3109-31195.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

The elusive 1819 sovereign

 

Rarest Business Strike of the Modern Sovereigns
George III gold Sovereign 1819 VF30 NGC, KM674, S-3785, Marsh-3 (R5). An extremely rare date, not only the rarest business strike of George III but arguably for the entire modern Sovereign series that starts from 1817. Currently, only two straight-graded examples exist in the NGC population (this coin is the better one), and none at PCGS. The last time the current offering was sold was in May 2015 when it was auctioned for $59,312+buyer's premium in the United Kingdom, then described as the 'second finest known' by the auctioneer. The piece exhibits balanced wear from honest circulation, yet the struck motifs are instantly recognizable and the King's facial features remain fully expressive. The crevices have faint siltiness, and the surfaces are in remarkably good condition for the grade, clearly non-porous and moreover saved from any singularly detracting instances of impact.

A quick glance at public auctions during the past eight years reveals two additional examples sold, one deemed 'Not Encapsulated - No Decision' offered in a Sincona auction in 2021 realizing about $24,000+premium, and one from the Spink Stratos sale in 2020, a 'Fine Details' that hammered $38,560+premium; both inspected by NGC and ex-jewelry pieces.

In addition, on the 200th anniversary of this remarkable rarity, the Royal Mint offered the aforementioned other NGC straight-graded example by public ballot. This was a F12 piece, thus clearly in lesser state of preservation compared to the present offering, and previously known to exist from a B.A. Seaby bulletin. The winner of the 2019 ballot purchased the coin for £100,000 - corresponding to approximately $127,000 back in the day.

The finest specimen hitherto witnessed by the public was sold from the Bentley collection in May 2013, when an uncertified 1819 Sovereign described as 'about extremely fine' sold for approximately $290,000. Judging from the outstanding research conducted for the Bentley Collection sale and additional investigative work by Spink, it can be presumed that 11 individual examples have been photographed and are presently extant, of which at least four, possibly five exhibit various signs of mounting to jewelry. Missing from most institutional coin collections in the UK and apparently even the world-renowned Tyrant Collection, this is an unmissable opportunity to acquire an outstanding and highly elusive numismatic rarity.

Ex. St. James's Auction 32 (May 2015, Lot 3)

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 22.05mm
Weight: 7.9881g
AGW: 0.2355oz
Mintage: 3,574

More information about Great Britain Coins. See also: Great Britain.

Estimate: $50,000 - $60,000.

It sold for $156,000 in the end ! 

[Charliemouse]

FYI

• Victoria Gothic Crown sold for $276,000
• Henry VII 20 shillings 'sovereign' sold for $795,000

 

[Aldebaran]

I collected these about 10 years ago. My favourite is the 2005 and Mr. A bought me the 1900 Victoria to the right which started my collection, and I have just noticed that it has a Sydney mark. 
I know that many dislike them as they damage the coin, but I love them and wish that I had continued to collect.

[Silverlocks]

40 minutes ago, Aldebaran said:

I collected these about 10 years ago. My favourite is the 2005 and Mr. A bought me the 1900 Victoria to the right which started my collection, and I have just noticed that it has a Sydney mark. 
I know that many dislike them as they damage the coin, but I love them and wish that I had continued to collect.

I've got a polished Machin that's otherwise in good nick that would go in the empty mount at the top left.

Edited August 27, 2023 by Silverlocks

[Aldebaran]

10 hours ago, Silverlocks said:

I've got a polished Machin that's otherwise in good nick that would go in the empty mount at the top left.

Thank you 🌞

I do have a nice George V which belonged to my dad which I was going to use, but one of the lugs is faulty, I do keep the coin with the holder, just not in it. 🖖

[AaaGee]

[Charliemouse]

2023 Coronation SOTD Sovereign

Front and back lighting, turned about 20 degrees away, to get the lustre on the matte finish.  Beautiful coin.

[Petra]

31 minutes ago, Charliemouse said:

2023 Coronation SOTD Sovereign

Front and back lighting, turned about 20 degrees away, to get the lustre on the matte finish.  Beautiful coin.

Great pic, looks really good!😮

[AaaGee]

[SheepStacker]

1989 Double Proof Sovereign.

Apologies for the squiffy angle, it's a slabbed coin, and they are terrible to try and photograph. I had to use a warm light bulb for the backing light as well, because anything too cool caused too many reflections off the slab.

Edited August 28, 2023 by SheepStacker

[EdwardTeach]

17 hours ago, Charliemouse said:

2023 Coronation SOTD Sovereign

Front and back lighting, turned about 20 degrees away, to get the lustre on the matte finish.  Beautiful coin.

It actually looks like real gold and not coppery!

[Charliemouse]

2019 SOTD Sovereigns - Victoria and Albert 200th

Taken at slightly different angles.  The more square-on coin needed a slightly enhanced exposure on the edge.  Without adequate edge lighting, the coin loses a lot of solidity, making it seem more abstract.  Both angles have merit.  I also photoshopped out the stand.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Charliemouse

[Charliemouse]

1997 Proof Quintuple Sovereign

For me, I love that transitional finish, where you can see the texture of the gold.  Not bright fields, not black, but in-between.  And the quintuples give such scope for capturing that.

Acres of goooooollllldddd.  [add maniacal sound effect]

Also, this is a special coin for me, as it is my first Maklouf portrait quintuple, and my wedding year.

 

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Charliemouse

[Charliemouse]

2007 Proof Full Sovereign

I decided to reshoot this coin for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I actually missed the focus on the front edge - just didn't notice.  You can see it's soft around the 3 o'clock edge.  I simply didn't start the focus stack closer enough, and just didn't notice.

Secondly, I think the back lighting I used to brighten the rim, is a little too bright.  It's caused a lot of quite distracting reflection, and if the edge was in focus it would probably glare.  I don't want the rim to be brighter than the face, just visible.

The new version is definitely sharper.  Quite a different colour also, so I'm wondering if I need to calibrate my lights again to get the white balance retuned.

Anyway, prefer this second version.

Edited September 18, 2023 by Charliemouse

[Paul]

https://auctions.thecoincabinet.com/lots/view/4-AXVWX4/1967-gold-sovereign-single-finest-ngc-ms67

Someone wanted it badly today, £13,000 + 18% BP & vat for a bullion sovereign 

 

 

[Darr3nG]

6 minutes ago, Paul said:

£13,000 + 18% BP & vat for a bullion sovereign 

How? Why?

[Darr3nG]

Ah, top pop...

[Paul]

3 minutes ago, Darr3nG said:

How? Why?

  

[Petra]

It looks nice🤔😮

[Paul]

1 hour ago, Petra said:

It looks nice🤔😮

Apart from the multiple damaged bits on QE face. Looks like she's got acne