Hey guys - I'm pretty new to gold bullion collecting, and I have a question. Is the British Gold Sovereign kind of like England's version of the Canadian Maple Leaf and the US Golden Eagle? I think the 2013 sovereign is pretty nice looking and want to know what you guys think of it before I consider buying one when they come back in stock. Richard
Hey Ripley! Thank you for the beautiful pics, were Sovereigns intended for circulation at all back in the day? I know they are now just bullion coins. Are they about the size of a 1/4 coin?
British Sovereign coins were in general circulation with a value of One Pound until 1917 when we came off the Gold Standard. Since then they have been issued occasionally as commemorative coins, and more recently just as bullion coins. They were first issued in 1817 when we switched from the Guinea and its fractions, that had been in use until then. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_(British_coin) for much more info. Prices vary enormously - all will start at the gold value, and then will go up from there depending on date and scarcity, with the top end being in the many thousands of pounds range! When buying modern issues, bear in mind that for many years there are both bullion issues, which go at bullion value, and proof issues, which go at a premium above bullion. From a coin collectors point of view, there are a good number of varieties in design to make them interesting. but if you are only interested in them as bullion, stick to the modern issues, or those from 1912 to 1916 which come up in large numbers at bullion cost. Paddy
Some more pics to whet your appetite - none of these do I have anymore - I sell on gold as soon as I get it!
I love these coins. I used to have a sovereign as a kid when gold was cheaper. Definitely on my list to add some of these to my coin collection in future years.
A word of caution. Sovereigns were counterfeited in Lebanon and Syria in the 1950s and 1960s, but various dates on the coins. Some had full gold content but were still counterfeit. The intent, I believe, was to convert gold dust and gold nuggets into a more useable, more standard form, not to deceive collectors. Used to have an article from a 1960s Numismatic Scrapbook about them, but it seems to be gone. Any CT member from the Mideast would know a lot more about these.
I am a bit late as others have answered your question. Yep circulated till a bit after WW I. And yep about the size pf a quarter or 1/4 ounce.
Sovereigns sink spy There is an interesting Civil War story about a female confederate spy named Rose. The Pinkertons watched her house in Washington DC and determined she was entertaining Union officers and politicians. From them she obtained information and passed it to the rebels. Eventually she was to be shipped down south and returned to the confederates. She had been paid for her spying with gold sovereigns since the stability of US money was questionable at this time. Anyway the ship she was on sank next to the southern coast. The crew all jumped off and swam to shore. Rose also jumped off but drowned due to the weight of numerous gold sovereigns she had secretly sewed into the lining of her coat.
Victor's post reminded me of another interesting fact - Special forces personnel operating in foreign countries often carry gold coins in their belts - in case of emergency. We may have been off the gold standard for nearly a hundred years, but gold is still the most acceptable international currency. Eat your heart out Amex!
I remember hearing a few years ago that, in the UK personal wealth kept in Gold Sovereigns was not subject to taxes by the King. Has anyone else heard of this before? I still don't have any of these beautiful coins, but certainly have them towards the top of my "want list".
