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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,832 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
972 Posts |
I have read articles that some years of Guinea's are just gaming tokens? I am posting pictures of mine and would like to know if you think it's a real Guinea or a token. I don't know much about it other than I think it is gold. I'd also would like to know if because it is "holed" does it just have scrap gold value. I doubt if anyone would have holed a gaming token to be used as a watch fob back in the 1800's. It also has the biggest die break I have ever seen on the reverse. Thankyou for your opinions.   |
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Valued Member
Canada
220 Posts |
Looks real. The gaming tokens are extremely thin and made of brass. They also say "In memory of the good times" on the reverse I believe. Unfortunately I doubt you'll get anything over melt for it, considering both the hole and the wear on the coin...
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Id say its real too - why wear a gaming token?
And I dont know - the hole might destroy its chances of being an example of a Guinea, but the die break is lovely and might add some value as an example of an error.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Absolutely not real!
The effigy is wrong! The Lis and the harp on the shield are too small! And I could go on.
I'm not sure if it was intended as a token or a forgery - looks like they tried to replicate the correct legend - but the real guinea this is not! And I highly doubt it has any gold.
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Valued Member
Ireland
215 Posts |
I Agree svslav, the quality of workmanship and detail is just not present, I would say it's a reasonable attempt at a forgery.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1319 Posts |
In the mid 19th century imitating a current coin of the realm for use as a gaming token would get you in trouble, imitating a past no longer in use coin would not.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
diameter & weight, please ?
and, does it react to a magnet ?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
It is a brass gaming token.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
972 Posts |
Thankyou all for your opinions. I can say if it is a forgery, it is a good one, because it sure looks real in hand. I did look at another guinea on ebay and there was a difference in the harps as svslav mentioned. The other was a 1795 (i think) as I could not find the exact same date. But would someone use a forgery gold coin as a watch fob? Or was it possibly drilled for another reason? I don't have any acurate measuring or weighing instuments, but it appears to be 26mm. in dia. It also is non-magnetic. I think the best think is to take it in to be tested if it is gold or not. That would tell if it's real or not. I wonder if grampa knew he had a forged gold coin. haha |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
I'm sorry but it is a brass gaming token weighing about 4g Gold will be about 8g for the same size.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
I bought about 50 of these for £5.They sell in dealers scrap boxes for 50p to £1. Many were holed for fob chains. These and pewter 1562 coins are so abundant on ebay...be warned. Do not buy 1847 Gothic's on ebay they sell for silly money and most are copies. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,832 |
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Posted 11/07/2012 11:02 am
