Hi All These are all Half Sovereign's, I purchased them yesterday. I know nothing about any of them, so all thoughts comments are welcome. One of them has got what looks like solder on it, should i leave it as is or get it removed? regards K
I love the half sovs. I just sold off the last of my full ones to concentrate on the little fellas. Although half the value (in bullion terms) of the full sovs they are more of a collectors item and usually (personal opinion only) have a greater percentage in numi value or premium if you like. They are considered scarcer than the full sovs which makes the hunt for them all the more exciting. Enjoy them. Edit: Think twice and then again once more before you dick with the 'solder'. Check out the year and the mint before committing yourself to cleaning it.
It's hard to tell from the photo but I am not convinced the coin at 10 o'clock is a sovereign (full or half).
I can sort of see it now. Maybe need new glasses. Is the 'half pond' a half pound with a South Efrican accent?? No offence intended of course.
I don't know a great deal about South African coinage but I would hesitate to put it into the same class as a half sov. Apart from maybe a difference in numi value, the sovs are still recognised around the world.
Daft question, how/where do I check the mint? up on till recently I thought mint was what went well with lambchops...
Not a daft question at all. Australian sovs (full and half) are identified with an M or an S or a P (Melbourne, Sydney and Perth). They are pretty small and may be worn down on the older coins. Roughly speaking (as there are variations) these single letters sit above the date on the ones with the dragon and may be at the top or the bottom of the older ones with the shield. A good light and a magnifying glass helps with the older coins. If the mint mark is SA then they are South African and no mint mark means they are from the UK. Hope this helps.
Also check the shaft on the Chuck Wagon on the back of the Half Pond. Some are single shaft some are double shaft. Very nice little variety that not a lot of people know about. 1893 is the rarest of the years produced
Very much a fan of the half pond! If you don't mind me asking, did you pay much over bullion value for it?