1869 Sovereigns

[ChrisUKproofs]

Hope everone's keeping well. Only my second post and probably not very interesting, but here goes.

I bought a couple of 1869 full sovereigns years ago. I recall paying rather a lot for one. One is clearly a Die 15 coin. The other is either a very slim 7 or a 1.

To my untrained eye, both look to be in similar condition. I've picked the Die 15 example to photograph. I've been quite cruel with the lighting in a bid to show any imperfections. Looking at it through a loop, it actually looks much better.

Covid/Lockdown hit me hard as regards work, and I'll reluctantly be looking to move a few old, bullion and proof gold coins on over the winter, to help pay the bills.

Is it OK to ask, on here, what kind of quality this coin is and what it might be worth? Apologies if this isn't the place.

Thankyou to whoever replies in advance. All good wishes. Chris

Edited October 29, 2021 by ChrisUKproofs
grammar

[sovereignsteve]

I'd grade that at gVF - aEF (approx AU53)

1869 is a common, unremarkable year. As to value, have a look around at sale prices for similar but I would say about £380, but I a notoriously bad at valuing sovereings😁

[Bruce06]

nEF to me.  A lovely soveriegn to have.  20% premium over spot at least i think, but same as soveriegnsteve, i am usually so in poor at valuing.

[dicker]

@sovereignsteve Is spot on with the grade and price.  You might get more on eBay but remember the fees.

By the way it is always a pleasure to see other people Sovereigns, so do post more!

Best

Dicker

[RDHC]

Isn't there a very rare die number - 36 - for this year? Or am I muddling things up? I don't go in for sovereign rarities so I'm probably wrong.

[dicker]

51 minutes ago, RDHC said:

Isn't there a very rare die number - 36 - for this year? Or am I muddling things up? I don't go in for sovereign rarities so I'm probably wrong.

@RHDC I had not heard of that bout would be interested to know it that’s the case!

[Zhorro]

51 minutes ago, RDHC said:

Isn't there a very rare die number - 36 - for this year? Or am I muddling things up? I don't go in for sovereign rarities so I'm probably wrong.

 

On 28/02/2019 at 12:31, Zhorro said:

I have been on the lookout for an 1869 Die No.34 for a while because of its "yellow gold" designation.  I now think I have found one.  The pictures here show this 1869 sovereign compared to an 1871 one (the nearest I had in date) and the 1869 one does look to be a different colour to the 1871 one (the 1869 sovereign does look to be yellow).  I have then shown the reverse of the 1869 sovereign, but the Die number is not easy to see.  So, I then used a magnifying glass and I am 99% convinced it is "34" as opposed to "54".

Do you mean the Die 34 yellow gold variety?  There is a separate thread about this.

[Britannia47]

Lucky Zhorro!  Yes, I remember the thread started by 'TheGoldSovereign'  in Feb 2019. re the 1869 die 34 -  quite a debate if I recall. Marsh 53A has it struck from "Yellow Gold" according to Steve Hill. This must have been experimental because at the same time Marsh 373 -1868 'Australia'  is also shown as yellow gold alloyed with 8.33% silver, and Marsh 374 - 1869 'Australia' (dated 1868) shown as "red" gold alloyed with 8.33% copper! Anyway Die34 is rated R3. Otherwise as Sovereignsteve  said, the 1869 is fairly common, but very desirable in good condition. By coincidence I also have a die 15 1869 Sov.  Perhaps I'm common as well! 😊  

[jultorsk]

For quick reference https://auctions.thecoincabinet.com/lots?search=1869+sovereign

Compare the coin you have in hand to the images - and also remember fluctuations in gold spot may have affected the sale price.

(If you'd sell in these auctions, you'd have to pay 10% vendor commission - so subtract that from the hammer price.... then consider your options. This Forum is a great place to sell.).

[RDHC]

3 hours ago, Zhorro said:

 

Do you mean the Die 34 yellow gold variety?  There is a separate thread about this.

Yes, that must be the correct number. I was quite close, but still wrong! Thanks for the information.

[Leonmarsh]

Well I can't shift my 1866 for 360 so less than than that mate 

[Booky586]

51 minutes ago, Leonmarsh said:

Well I can't shift my 1866 for 360 so less than than that mate 

Based on the photos I'd say this coin is in a finer grade than the 1866 you are selling. My valuation of this 1869 is £360 - £380

[Leonmarsh]

1 minute ago, Booky586 said:

Based on the photos I'd say this coin is in a finer grade than the 1866 you are selling. My valuation of this 1869 is £360 - £380

Maybe so

[Arganto]

4 hours ago, Leonmarsh said:

Well I can't shift my 1866 for 360 so less than than that mate 

The tides of gold trading on the forum appear quite unpredictable...I don't think it's that your coin isn't worth what you're asking, it's just getting the right eyes on it at the right time. Judging by what a lot of dealers are asking for specific date sovereigns I would wager yours is extremely well priced.

[ChrisUKproofs]

Popped this one on Ebay, as I had a special reduced seller-fee offer, and it just sold for £405.50 (10 day auction).

[sovereignsteve]

32 minutes ago, ChrisUKproofs said:

Popped this one on Ebay, as I had a special reduced seller-fee offer, and it just sold for £405.50 (10 day auction).

about as expected then, considering the increase in gold spot recently.