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 Replies: 6 / Views: 6,316 |
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Valued Member
United States
80 Posts |
Hello All,
Today I purchased a nice gold 1914 half sovereign with a portrait of George V on the obverse, and Saint George and the dragon on the reverse. In my opinion it's a far more interesting than just buying regular bullion, whether it be American, Canadian or from other nations. Seeing as how my collection can only grow as large as my modest teacher salary will allow, It's not really in the realm of possibility for me to purchase a half ounce or one ounce gold eagle, with the St. Gaudens design. Also, there's something slightly less appealing about collecting a coin that was minted for investment, or collecting purposes such as the gold eagles. Minting a coin for collecting purposes almost makes it less appealing to me. The story behind Saint George adds to the conversation piece of this coin, even though the design might not be quite as striking as St. Gaudens'. In my opinion, the sovereign, or half sovereign is a real winner!
This is my first post on this message board, so hopefully I'm not visiting a topic that's been trampled to death!
Mark
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
quote: "Minting a coin for collecting purposes almost makes it less appealing to me."
- it's not really money, is it ? I think of that sort of item as pretty, overpriced, rubbish.
St George has graced British coins since 1817. It is an allegorical reference to the defeat of Napoleon by King George III, or if you prefer, by the Prince Regent (later KG4).
In the first Gulf War, the USAF gave each pilot five KG5 sovs and a note in Arabic to the effect "return the bearer of this note to us and you will be rewarded with much gold; this is a sample ..."
Apparently, QV sovs aren't as popular in that part of the world.
The Brits also minted sovs with a coat-of-arms design, and for many years, both designs were issued. St George was unpopular in in India, so the Mint had to cater for that.
Sovs are one of my favourites. I suggest that you start simple, and aim for a set of all the obverses; then the reverses, then the mint-marks ...
They were genuine circulation coins upto 1914. Older coins show plenty of signs of real use.
Peter in Oz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Hello, xxmarkabyx, and welcome to the forum! I see you have a good taste (of course I'm talking about coins, not nicknames  )! What do you teach? Peter, it's an interesting story (about the Gulf War), although I should admit I didn't completely understand it. Sovs and their fractionals are on my wish list, but I won't see them in the near future. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Mu uncle was one of the first British commandos. He was operating in Crete in about 1943. Like the Americans in the Gulf War, he and each of his mates were also given sovereigns to help buy their release if they were captured.
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Valued Member
 United States
80 Posts |
Thanks for the warm welcomes all, and thanks for the excellent story Peter! It's much more interesting than "I threw 1,500$ on the counter and walked out with one ounce of freshly minted bullion. It's also very interesting as to why St. George found his way to the back of the coin!
Giving pilots five sovereigns is a really interesting story. Are there any reported stories of pilots being returned in exchange for more gold?
I'm an English teacher in New York, but history is really where my interests lie. As far as my collection goes though, I'm pretty much all over the place. I love Athenian owls just as much as I love Walking Liberties. I actually just stumbled across the sovereigns the other day, and man, what a breath of fresh air!
Mark
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
I'm considering purchasing a sovereign or half sovereign myself, and I will certainly agree with you Mark that I am more interested in coins made for circulation than ultra high grade modern collectible only coins. I'll buy circulated 19th and early 20th century gold over the modern stuff any day! I'd like to put together a set by monarch and portrait type, possibly starting with Queen Victoria, since most of my coin interests are 19th century.
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Valued Member
United States
321 Posts |
Mark,
I'm new too and I'm also a teacher who buys sovereigns. Just a few years back I was able to buy half sovereigns for $40, sovereigns for $70 and proof sovereigns for $80. That was back in 1998 and 1999. Those were the good old days when gold was $270 on oz! Anyway, I agree that having a few sovereigns in your holdings, even if for bullion, is a good idea. Try to add a Victorian from the laste 1890's to your set. They are not much over melt. Anyway, enjoy.
satxwd
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Replies: 6 / Views: 6,316 |
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Posted 02/09/2011 11:26 pm
