Choose between Sovereign or new 1/4 oz Britannia with only a visual inspection

[Pilgrim]

If you had to choose between a new 1/4 oz britannia with it's anti-forgery features or a sovereign and you could only do a brief visual inspection which one would you feel more comfortable accepting?

This question is not regarding aesthetics and it's not a buying question more a question about does the britannia security features add any reassurance over a sovereign when accepting that coin in a general face to face trade

Edited September 7, 2022 by Pilgrim
Clarification

[Tn21]

1/4oz Brit looks better imo

[Orpster]

If your angle is feeling comfortable you are buying the genuine article, the 1/4 Brit would appear to be the safe bet.  

If we were in a reputable place and making the choice did not have to take into account any fear over what I was buying being genuine, my decision would have many other factors including year of the sovereign, condition, price per gram etc.  But 9 times out of 10 I would go for the sovereign.    

 

 

[James32]

Assuming you are not buying from a dealer, hence the question 🤔 buy from a reputable member on here and your not only buying the coin but also inadvertently getting their experience for free ( they have done the guess work for you)

@Tn21 has some 1/4oz gold standard coins I believe. Nicer than a brit and still ctg free.

[Pilgrim]

20 minutes ago, James32 said:

Assuming you are not buying from a dealer, hence the question 🤔 buy from a reputable member on here and your not only buying the coin but also inadvertently getting their experience for free ( they have done the guess work for you)

@Tn21 has some 1/4oz gold standard coins I believe. Nicer than a brit and still ctg free.

Thanks but I should have been more clear I suppose; it's not a buying question more a question about does the britannia security features add any reassurance over a sovereign when accepting that coin in a general face to face trade?

I do like the look of the gold standards but I think I prefer the royal arms and if I wasn't uncertain about the new sovereigns looking a little coppery I might have got one already but I do like the design better than the george and dragon in terms of looks at least.

Edited September 7, 2022 by Pilgrim
Fuller response

[James32]

Just now, Pilgrim said:

Thanks but I should have been more clear I suppose; it's not a buying question more a question about does the britannia security features add any reassurance over a sovereign when accepting that coin in a general face to face trade?

Apologies, I can see this from both side so what I can tell you is, I've had at least 30 "mostly newcomers " specifically asking for britannias from 2021 or 2022 in the last few months, so I guess you are onto something. 

But that being said if I was meeting face to face to buy gold, I'd have a pair of accurate scales and calipers minimum, and go with the manufacturer dimensions drummed into my brain (weight/ diameter and thickness) 

[CANV]

To the untrained eye I would guess a fractional Brit is harder to forge than a sovereign..  but try getting either past some of the experts on here. 😉

[Pilgrim]

2 minutes ago, James32 said:

Apologies, I can see this from both side so what I can tell you is, I've had at least 30 "mostly newcomers " specifically asking for britannias from 2021 or 2022 in the last few months, so I guess you are onto something. 

But that being said if I was meeting face to face to buy gold, I'd have a pair of accurate scales and calipers minimum, and go with the manufacturer dimensions drummed into my brain (weight/ diameter and thickness) 

Thanks for the info and the tool tips

[Pilgrim]

1 minute ago, CANV said:

To the untrained eye I would guess a fractional Brit is harder to forge than a sovereign..  but try getting either past some of the experts on here. 😉

Yes I can imagine that would be quite a feat to pull off 🙂

[Pilgrim]

1 hour ago, Tn21 said:

1/4oz Brit looks better imo

Thanks for the reply. I do prefer the look of 24k but I think I prefer the coat of arms designs myself personally though

[James32]

Just now, Pilgrim said:

Thanks for the info and the tool tips

Obviously there's a lot of factors at play here but as a fast reassurance, because gold is very dense, if you have the correct weight/diameter and thickness then you likely have gold,especially in smaller denominations. In regards to size ( within range good..slightly undersized great..oversized 😬 refund)

[Orpster]

1 hour ago, James32 said:

Obviously there's a lot of factors at play here but as a fast reassurance, because gold is very dense, if you have the correct weight/diameter and thickness then you likely have gold,especially in smaller denominations. In regards to size ( within range good..slightly undersized great..oversized 😬 refund)

Worth noting some older sovereigns and half sovereigns can be 'oversized', particularly from the Australian mints, and still be completely genuine.  I'm talking a tenth or so of a mm but it does happen.  Normally only spottable with callipers or when you have a perfectly sized capsule.  Though if your buying only current year bullion you should never encounter this. 

[GreatCoins4U]

Sov's are much more attractive than Brit's to me, so that's what I would choose.

[LawrenceChard]

7 hours ago, Pilgrim said:

If you had to choose between a new 1/4 oz britannia with it's anti-forgery features or a sovereign and you could only do a brief visual inspection which one would you feel more comfortable accepting?

This question is not regarding aesthetics and it's not a buying question more a question about does the britannia security features add any reassurance over a sovereign when accepting that coin in a general face to face trade

 

6 hours ago, Pilgrim said:

Thanks but I should have been more clear I suppose; it's not a buying question more a question about does the britannia security features add any reassurance over a sovereign when accepting that coin in a general face to face trade?

I do like the look of the gold standards but I think I prefer the royal arms and if I wasn't uncertain about the new sovereigns looking a little coppery I might have got one already but I do like the design better than the george and dragon in terms of looks at least.

I am slightly cynical about the new  anti-forgery features.

If people can counterfeit sovereigns, they can counterfeit Britannias, security feature or not.

Also quarter ounce gold coins including Britannias cost a higher premium than sovereigns.

To level the premiums, you need to buy one ounce Britannias. Some other once ounce gold coins will also be higher premium.

There is more collector / numismatic potential in sovereigns than in most one ounce gold coins.

Does any of that influence you?

I agree that the red colour of recent sovereigns is regrettable.

Have you read the Advice Guide for UK Bullion Investors on a well-known website?

😎

 

[pricha]

Are modern sovereigns known to be faked ? Im guessing you mean modern coins ? Buying from a reputable dealer means you should never have to worry.