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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,577 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I saw this at auction, and the alarm bells went off. In particular, there's something about face of Victoria that just isn't right. I'd appreciate your expertise to verify my "gut feeling" and help friends who buy such coins--Thanks!  Here's the coin in question:  Compare to a known genuine obverse of the same year (source Heritage auctions):  Edited by KurtS
04/27/2008 4:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, 1887M-shield has the highest CV of the six Sovs minted in Oz that year.
This seems to be a very good example.
Can't see anything in particular that'd make me question this coin.
Peter
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5318 Posts |
Peter, thanks for responding! It's good to hear from someone who knows  Perhaps I'm far too cautious, but something about the shape of the eyes on Victoria's portrait got my attention.  That said, the lighting is different between the two examples, and I should first see these coins in person. Edited by KurtS
04/27/2008 5:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
656 Posts |
wait. there is two thread of this same question.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
1964S--right, because one calls attention to the ebay auction. I tend to do that if I suspect an expensive coin. Update: Elsewhere Learjet has confirmed this looks legit. I suppose I've become terminally suspicious of ebay Edited by KurtS
04/27/2008 7:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, I forgot to mention earlier,
I'd be giving this, and any other coin that I was going to spend big bucks on, a visit with my calipers and my scales.
21.5mm, 7.98g, if memory serves ...
Renniks 2007 has a CV for this in EF at Oz$6,250.00
Peter
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
839 Posts |
yeh the eyes look a tiny bit different, just the shape
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
655 Posts |
It's just the lighting spedward. Scanners tend to make coins look like a negative. I like the shield series. They remain 95% attractive in EF grade and are a fraction the price of UNCs. Except for the rare dates that is. Often EF shields will have UNC reverses. How this happens I don't know! There are varieties being discovered all the time with this series also. Twenty six coins (not including errors and overdates) are presently listed for the Australian series, although I believe this will grow with the discovery of two different head types for 1881 and 1882. I find great pleasure in collecting this series. It will take me years to get the majority of them. Maybe never. Some dates are just too expensive. Should be able to get all the Sydney mint ones. The Melbourne mint are the toughest.   |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1014 Posts |
Wow, after looking at these pictures, I needa get one... Unfortunately, I can't trade for one..  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
839 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Those are great photos!  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
839 Posts |
I saw 2 at our local coin dealer, the one with the horse reverse, not that one.
Selling for $275 or something.
Might save up and buy one in the future
There was also a gold soverieign necklace?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
655 Posts |
Sovereigns and guineas were often made into jewelry. You can find pendants, rings, broaches. All sorts of things. Of course there are the slightly smaller half sovereign too. These are about the size of a 5¢ piece but made of 22kt gold. Some of the more common dates can be bought for not much more than bullion spot plus a few %, like this 1915 Sydney mint half sov. There are about 64 different Australian half sovs, not including varieties or UK London mint types. They always seem to remain an attractive coin.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day LearJet,
I commend your photography.
It's very rare that I see a photo' of a sov' where the mintmark is so clear ... and the "S" is the most difficult of all.
Compare your 1915 sov to my avatar, which is from 1820. Apart from the garter, do you notice anything different ?
I read that during the First Gulf War, the U.S. Air Force issued each pilot five KGV sovs, in case of forced landing. Apparently, the locals in that part of the world remain fond of sovs, and the KGV variety above all others. The coins came with a printed note to the effect: "assist this pilot to rejoin his comrades, and there'll be plenty more of these coins for you as a sign of our our appreciation."
Comforting to know that gold still commands some respect.
Peter in Oz
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
655 Posts |
On the 1820 St George appears to be holding a stick or something half way along?
Yes I heard the same regarding airforce pilots and sovs.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day,
in the "Garter Sovereigns" 1817~1820, StG is holding the stump of his broken lance. Another piece is lying on the ground, under the horse's rear-end. A third piece protrudes from the dragon's thorax.
In the later sovs, and your 1915 pic illustrates this perfectly, StG has a shortish sword. Two pieces of lance are visible.
Curiously - to my way of thinking - the Garter Crowns 1818~1820, all have the sword - as far as I can tell, the same as the later sovs.
I've not heard an explanation for this variation. Nor of what became of the missing part of the lance.
I've filed this under "imponderables", but your picture reminded me of it, because you show the lance protruding from the dragon so clearly.
thanks again ... before I forget: which camera did you use, please ?
Peter in Darwin
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,577 |
Posted 04/27/2008 5:40 pm
