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 Replies: 10 / Views: 5,423 |
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Valued Member
Greece
425 Posts |
Yesterday I receive a mail by a known dealer with an offer to buy this double sovereign from Victoria's reign.It is obvious that this a proof coin.But I can not determine if that is a authentic coin or a modern repro.Can anyone help?  |
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Valued Member
 Greece
425 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Turkey
870 Posts |
It is very hard to determine from the photos, however to me, they look right. It's always risky to buy high-valuable coins through the mail. Need super sized photos with a professional close-up lens before you buy I think.
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Valued Member
Croatia (Locally: Hrvatska)
342 Posts |
Over the image looks ok. But at least you should ask the weight and dimensions, but the risk is the risk I have lost on ITALIAN STATES,LOMBARDY-VENETIA,5 LIRE (original 25.0000 g),Coins that I bought(23.9000g)FAKE.
But the picture was excellent and the seller claimed that the authentic my mistake was that I did not ask the weight.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
I would reiterate the words of caution already expressed in this thread. I totally agree with nikola that you should make sure that the weight is right (16.0 grams) and the size is perfect (28 mm). Quote from the "Collecting Hints" of Cointcraft catalog" Quote:
A large number of forgeries exist ... Many of these are of poor quality and "wear" differently from genuine coins, especially around the head and the breast of St.George. However, many of the fakes are very difficult to detect. Because of the prevalence of these "restrikes", as some dealers like to call them, it is probably advisable to look for coins in about very fine condition with a genuinely old appearance. While the design indeed looks correct some details bother me. Maybe it's just a poor photo, but for a proof some parts look too "soft". A few to point out: the far wing of the dragon, a little fold in QV's headscarf in the very back of her head, the bottom of the Order on her chest (you should be able to see and count distinct rays on it). And finally the last stop, after "IMP", is enormous compared to the stops in the legend on the top of the coin - they all should be of the same size. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If you like double sovereigns, consider dates with less risk. As hinted above, the 'Coincraft' catalogue offers collecting hints on each individual type. I refer to my copy often.
I was particularly intrigued by the George V1 gold coins, and I have an example of the 2 Sovereign and 5 Sovereign. They were bought from Spink's in London in 1975. These coins were minted when most countries around the World went off the Gold Standard following The Great Depression. Few gold coins were minted anywhere in the late '30's, through to the 1980's.
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Valued Member
Greece
425 Posts |
I bought this coin and receive it today by post.What do you think of authencity.Weight is 15.95(catalog15.98)  |
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Valued Member
Greece
425 Posts |
and reverse  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
It's hard to tell. In the quote from the Coincraft above I put ellipses instead of "... especially of the 1887 coin." Coincraft doesn't talk about the die varieties but on this site if you scroll down to Victorian double sovereigns you can see two. The first one has slightly larger head with the top of the crown touching the inner circle and it matches your obverse. The second has smaller initials BP and it matches your reverse. I think you need more research to ensure your piece is a legitimate variety. Edited by svslav
01/07/2011 5:21 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I see that below the bust next to the breast star, the rim denticle tips are noticeably off line. They are also slightly longer.
There does not appear to be any associated rim damage at this point.
I suggest that you take it to an experienced and respected coin dealer for a further opinion, or perhaps several opinions could be sought at a major coin show.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Quote:
I see that below the bust next to the breast star, the rim denticle tips are noticeably off line. The same appears to be true for the top obverse on the Tony Clayton's site that I provided link to. Interesting, I asked my son, 6, to find differences between two coins. He looked for about half a minute and said, "Mouth! The bottom coin she's smiling, the top - grumpy." I looked, and I saw the difference in the mouth too, the top variety the lips seem to be open more. Which, again, is consistent with epop's acquisition, "grumpy". But again ... the reverse rather matches the other variety ...  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 5,423 |
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Posted 12/25/2010 03:03 am
