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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,227 |
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
I have this 1897 Gold Eagle mounted in a bezel to a bracelet. The bezel is 14k gold. The bracelet is plated. I have been agonizing whether to separate them or leave them together as a piece of jewelry. Am considering the following: - If the separate components are worth more than the complete piece.
- The coin, while not heavily "worn", is a somewhat "beat-up"
- Values for this coin don't seem to be heavily dependant on grades below MS.
Would just like some thoughts on whether it is better to break them up or on other factors that I might consider in making the decision. Thank you.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Maybe you could see how much you can get for it and then thow in a few bucks and buy a problem free one. If not, then I would take it out(only if you couldn't damage it). Looks like she has some nice luster to her.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I spend enough time around dealers to guess this would go for around melt. There are enough signs of use as jewelry to not warrant a premium. However, from what I've seen--there is enough "melt" gold coin at dealers that's in "collector condition". Unless you have sentimental reasons not to, I'd get melt for this coin/bezel and find a better grade gold coin for around the same...I think it's possible.
Edited by KurtS
05/30/2008 04:14 am
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Valued Member
 United States
142 Posts |
Both of you seem to agree. Thanks for the advice.
I keep hearing that gold is soaring to about $100/oz yet so far I have not seen anyone who will give that. Do dealers generally pay a percentage less...like 20%-30%. In other words, if I take your advice, is coin dealer the best place to take it for melt as opposed to. lets say, a jeweler?
And what price (or what price per ounce) would I expect to get for the coin and the bezel?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
You will have to shop around for a "best price." Coin dealers or jewelers are unlikely to give you spot price for your gold. They will give you 80-90% of spot (or some other fraction) because they want to protect themselves from a price drop as well as make a profit, if possible, on the transaction. They are, after all, in business to make money.  The plated bracelet has very little melt value unless it's silver underneath. To get maximum value for the bezel you may well have to remove the coin from it so it can be weighed separately. Otherwise, you'll have to accept the dealer's estimate of weight and value. Just some thoughts... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Some years ago I found a metals buyer for some chemically-refined gold I wanted to sell. He charged an assay fee to determine the actual gold content and then paid 93% of spot.
A US $10 gold eagle has a known gold content and an assay should not be required. I expect you should be able to get that 93% of spot value for the coin, or maybe a bit more. The bezel should fetch whatever the going rate is for scrap 14K gold; you should shop around for the best rate. The plated chain is probably next door to worthless. Do you have a young daughter, niece, or neighbor girl who would appreciate a piece of costume jewelry?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I'm not sure that it will matter if you seperate the coin from the bracelet. The coin is considered a jewelry piece because it is attached to the bracelet. If you choose to seperate the coin you will see damage to the edge of the coin.
It may be worth more attatched to the bracelet.
I have a 10 dollar eagle that used to be attached to a bezel. It is worth the melt price of gold, but it makes for a great pocket piece.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
Take a look at the cylindrical area where the bezel meets the chain. Usually on these type, the coin isn't soldered, and there is a small screw which can be unscrewed with a "jeweler's" or eyeglass type of screwdriver. Quite often the
coin has a little rub, but if it was mounted properly originally, there may be little or no damage to the coin. If it is damaged, just screw it back in. I can see the split of the bezel at the top. The coin is softer gold than the bezel, but sometimes you get lucky.
Jim
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
Well, I took the coin out and was pleasantly surprised. No solder, and considering the overall battered condition of the coin, I am quite happy with the edge in its post-bezel state. Thank you all for the help.  Edited by dcv
05/31/2008 04:31 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1691 Posts |
ahh..free at last ...TGA...free at last!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
I'm glad it was good results for you! I have some roots over in the gem/jewelry area also  . Some of the "Melt" dealers use the "it is no good if made into jewelery" for many of these screw type bezels, knowing full well, there is a chance the coin will be salvageable. But many antique dealers don't know either and you often can get a deal for the price of the gold. However, if it is soldered, don't hope you can remove it so well no one can tell. Jim |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1934 Posts |
Maybe I'm missing something here as to the ultimate goal for the coin: Value for sale? Value for collecting? It's early morning. I'd put it on ebay with a reserve price of 499. |
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Valued Member
United States
142 Posts |
j_h_s...Actually, it was an "ultimate goal" that I was trying to come up with. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I thought that knowing its (sale) value as a piece of jewelry vs coin might help me decide. If it were worth more as jewelry, I would probably sell it...I don't collect jewely and I was sure not going to wear it. If worth more as separate components, that value would help me determine if I was going to keep it, or sell/trade it for a better coin. All that said, I liked your answer. I haven't used my ebay account in years so once I get that rolling and get a paypal account set up, that is probably exactly what I will do. Thank you. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,227 |
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Posted 05/30/2008 04:05 am
